Son pushing other children at nursery

[Slm87]

My son started nursery just over a month ago, just 2 mornings a week. about 2 weeks in they told me he’s very pushy with the other kids, he’s an only child and we don’t have family with children so he heart had much interaction with other kids (except soft play etc) so we’ve never witnessed it ourselves to discipline him.
he’s just turned 2 and moving up to the 2-3 year room. I hoped this would help, but I collected him from a settle session in there today and they said again he’s been very pushy. They say he’s not playing, it’s just out of nowhere he will really push the other kids.
Im Always anxious taking him now as I don’t want him hurting other kids and I dread what they will say on pick up.
id be really grateful for any advice on best ways to deal with it?

thank you

I'd get some picture books such as Hands Are Not For Hurting and similar, and read them together a few times, to encourage him not to do this, and talk at home about situations when he might feel like pushing someone and telling him what a better response would be.

Good advice above. How is his speech? Having run a preschool for many years and seen my fair share of 'pushers', it is often children whose spoken language is not as good as their peers (inc EAL)
They often use the pushing as a way of interacting with other children as they don't yet have the tools to communicate verbally.

Very normal behaviour for a 2 year old . I had one the same. Try not to worry , he'll grow out of it

i did wonder this, he only says very few words, no sentences yet. He understands lots but not very verbal yet. I guess once he’s talking more this may stop (I hope!)

If he’s been there are month and only goes 2 mornings he’s only done what 8 half sessions, or the equivalent to 4 days! That’s nothing, especially if he wasn’t massively used to kids his own age before starting. Really he’s still getting used to the environment. Also it’s common where the speech isn’t quite there yet. It’ll come. And nursery have to tell you but they can’t realistically be expecting you to do anything about behaviour you haven’t seen yourself, since he’s far too young to discuss it later. He’d probably benefit from more socialisation on none nursery days. Any groups you could do? Or just go to the playground! And keep a close eye obviously. I wouldn’t worry too much though.

Thank you, really appreciate all your advice.