Starting nursery, unsettled 1 year old

[RedHerring24]

DD is due to start nursery soon and will be doing 2 full days per week and will eventually move up to 3.
She has been doing some settling sessions over recent weeks which started at 1 hour and built up slowly to 2 hours and now 3 hours.
For context she is a very independant and determined little girl. She seems to have a good understand of things and knows what she wants. Loves books and enjoys being read to.

As a FTM, I dont know if things have been going well or not and I dont know what I am expecting.
The first session I stayed with her for a little while but as she ignored me, I left relatively quickly to sort the admin out in reception. She cried about 15mins later but the staff settled her quickly. She then just cried when she saw me again and all was well shortly after.

Each session (about 6) have followed a similar pattern. Cries when left (expected) and cries when collected.
Staff say she cries on and off throughout the session but she never comes away with red eyes or a snotty nose like she has been sobbing endlessly.
She hasnt eaten there but came away today covered in food so at least she is touching it. She wont drink either.
Today was the longest session and they tried letting her have a nap which didnt happen. It just resulted in her sobbing, getting overly worked up and finally vomiting. She went in today at a different time to normal and was tired so this didnt help.

All the settling session seem short so as she settles a bit, its time to collect her.
The staff all seem nice. Each time ive peeked through the window they are with her occupying or playing with her. They say she is actually doing really well and not doing anything that they wouldnt expect from a baby of her age.
She hasnt been away from DH or I though. We have no family who can help with her so all she knows is us and nursery is a big change.

I feel like my return to work is going to be really hard. Im worried about her not eating or sleeping and being sad all day.
Nursery assure me it is normal and longer days will be better as she will fall into their routine a bit and get to know the staff more.
All the other children seem happy and well cared for there.

I dont really know what I am asking to be honest.
Will it get easier?
How can I make it easier for both her and I?
I really want this to work and for her to be happy, I just dont know how.

It does take them time to settle into a new setting. In my experience (3dc, youngest 20m) regular sessions of 4+ hours are best for getting them settled so in that sense nursery are right.

As long as you have no other concerns then I'd give it a go and re-evaluate in 3months time. If she's still unsettled, getting ill lots, you're otherwise unhappy then maybe look at a childminder. I've used both and found a smaller setting with a childminder suited my kids better. I also didn't have to deal with all the nursery diseases with dc1 or 2 after I moved dc1 to a childminder.
Some people will say all kids get ill at nursery (and they might) but mine didn't at the childminder and I don't see why that should be inflicted upon them (or the parents who then need time off work to care for DC).

Thanks for replying @User0ne
I assumed, wrongly that she would build up to at least a half day at nursery but when I asked the staff said that they didnt offer that? I was a bit confused to be honest but I guess she has been in nursery over 6 weeks so seen the staff on more occasions than those who get 2 settling days.

I have to be honest the illness side of things worries me. In the first 4 weeks she caught 2 bugs and needed 2 lots of antibiotics.
DH is still unwell from her last bug.
I keep being reassured that the first 6 weeks are the worst for bugs but it feels never ending already!

I did look into childminders and I was making a short list of local ones. Then I heard from a friend about her childs childminder and how she would cart the kids everywhere, like the weekly shop etc and would take them in her car.
I dont know why but this just worried me about safety etc?! Not sure if this is the norm though?