What can I do to help my 3 year old.......

[mandy20256]

Hi everyone,
Hope someone can give me some advice. Basically my daughter doesn't enjoy nursery. She's cried pretty much every time I've left her since April.
I put her in from April for just afternoons to see how she got on with it. She cries every time but then they say she's ok after I leave.
From sept I get the 30hours free childcare so she's started doing every day which fits in with my work.
Every time I've dropped her she cries. And she's now started tonight saying she doesn't want to go.
Do I preserve or is it too much for her??
TIA x

Persevere. Lots of children cry and it's true they stop when you leave. It won't take long.

Does she have to go?

Does she do every afternoon at the moment or just a couple a week? My LG went straight in 4 full consecutive days a week and took to it like a duck to water because it became the daily routine. The kids at her nursery that seem to find it most difficult to settle have gaps between their sessions so they don't seem to get into it as much.

You may see an improvement when its more of a day to day routine for her.

Can you help her to make a friend who goes on the same days as her? Maybe meet up with friend and parent at the weekend to encourage the friendship? DD is much more willing to do something if her friend is going to be there.

She started out doing afternoons from April. But now does full time. I thought that it would help settle if she does every day.
She doesn't have to go full time but while she's at school I'm at work so it does make life easier.
She's got a couple of friends that she plays with and talks about.
The teacher hasn't spoken to me about her so I'm guessing she's ok when I leave.
She comes out so happy aswell.
Think I'll have a chat with them tomorrow.
Thank you

I think I would keep her there but make sure the Pre school teacher keeps you informed as to your child's feelings / amount of crying. Sounds very hard but it will be OK.

I don't know what the answer is - my dd has been like this at every childcare setting we've ever put her in, and even at school, she's 7 now. What does she say when you ask her why she cries? Have you tried taking a cuddly toy in with her? Nurseries don't like it typically but if you explain the situation it's worth a try, that helped my dd.

It's a sad way to start the day, isn't it?

Breaks my heart.
All she says is but mummy I just love you so much 😫
I could try that's actually. Thank you

Thank you x

My DD was like this as well. She started nursery for 2 days in January and only stopped crying/looking scared on the way in at about June/July. Have you just had a break for the holidays as well? It might take her a little time to settle again and also some of the children who she knew well may have moved on to school etc.

DD now finally goes in with a smile on her face and has a great day but it has taken a long time so just hang in there and I'm sure it will get better.

Yeah I still remember that feeling. The kissing hand book is a good one to read 'wherever you are my love will find you' etc, and talking about how she can hug the cuddly toy anytime she feels any bad feelings.