Hi all,
Bit of advice/thoughts if you don't mind from those who've been there and done it or work in an early years childcare setting.
My three year old started going to a preschool for three mornings a week at the start of the year and recently increased to three days a week after her birthday (so she's now doing just over her funded 15 hours). I'm a sahm, and before going she'd never been left with anyone other than grandparents before although she's always delighted to be left with them.
We had a bit of upset at drop off the first week which I expected but other than that she seemed to be settling ok. She likes to go and is never upset at drop off now. The manager (who is her key worker) asked if she had a comforter to bring for when she feels a bit unsettled which she does.
Since we've gone to full days at almost every pick up if I ask how she's been/if she's had a nice day I'm being told that she's very anxious, particularly about where I am, tends to stick to her key worker, cries when she's asked to change activity (but is fine once distracted by the new task) and that she seems to obsess over things (like she'll ask something repeatedly or talk about the same thing over and over). They've asked me to collect her half an hour early each day because they think she's finding the longer days hard (she does 9:15- 3pm) since she's dropped her last nap. They keep using words like 'rigid' and 'obsessed' and although she can be a bit stubborn at home I wouldn't go so far as to say she's rigid.
Is this normal? Every day I'm starting to feel like they're trying to tell me there's something wrong with her, but I mostly feel like this is fairly normal just turned three year old behaviour. She's generally pretty well behaved at home, she does throw the odd wobbler when she can't have her own way which I manage appropriately- I think. She is very inquisitive, she's advanced with her academic learning (speech, counting, letters etc) to the point where they've asked if I mind her taking part in the phonics learning with the older children there. We don't hot house her in any way I've just always had time to read with her, play numbers games etc and she loves it. I always thought her inquisitiveness was just part of her learning. She has been a bit grumpier than usual lately but I've put that down to cutting her final nap and her getting used to that.
I don't mind collecting her early if it's in her best interests I will do whatever to ensure that she's happy and settled. But should I be asking them to manage this better? They've suggested we buy a trampoline because she occasionally tip toe walks and apparently they do this to make themselves feel 'bigger' and the bouncing can ease their anxiety.
This is all new to me!