feeling weird and guilty about sending dd (nearly 2) to playgroup

[totalmisfit]

She's there at the moment. This will be her first 'full' week (in that she'll be there 3 mornings from 9.30-11.30).

She seems to really enjoy it but i have some reservations. I wonder if she's too young to be going there 3 mornings a week. I also worry because she completely ignores me when i leave. I give her a big kiss and say 'Right darling, I'm going now. You have a lovely time.' and she just completely blanks me. It's actually a bit hurtful, although i know i'm being silly to feel this way.

Also, it's a very well known group which has been running for over 20 years, and the women are 'pillar of the community' types but it's not OFSTED registered (because it's attached to a church and not part of a preschool). They seem to be very good with her and with the other children but they are a bit 'off' with me for some reason. or maybe i'm just imagining it..?

Why don't you casually ask them if your DD is ok once you've gone.

Do they have key workers for each child as a precshool would. You know you're allowed to look at her file at any time (assuming they have files if it's not like a usual preschool?)

from personal experience I would say 3 2 hour sessions may be too much at that age - but if she is happy with it .....

Maybe off to help out for one of those sessions per week - that way it is something you both do, and you get to know what actually goes on there.

hmm... i did offer to help out initially but tbh i felt a bit like a spare limb. dd was off doing stuff and every time i went over to see what she was doing she would run off and do something else. so i had the choice to follow her around like a prison warden or leave her to it. and there didn't really seem much for me to do in terms of helping out as they seem to have their set routine of how they do things and who does what and not a lot of scope for newcomers iyswim?

no they don't have keyworkers. there's only about 6-8 kids there usually and it's all very laid back, more like a toddler group atmosphere than a nursery, except they have lots of activities and parents don't tend to stay unless they specifically want to. It's quite old fashioned i guess, a bit like the kind of thing i used to go to myself back in the 80's. Middle aged women and Cress grown in margarine tubs sort of a place!

I have asked them if she's ok and they just say 'yeah she's fine!' very well behaved apparently.

Don't worry that she isn't bothered when you leave - would you rather she screamed her head off for you?! (I speak having experienced exactly that !) You know your dayghter best and if you feel its right for her to go 3 times a week and she's happy then don't beat yourself up, enjoy your freedom!

daughter I mean

it sounds very sweet ! All mine bar the 4th went at 3+. No4 made it clear,the September he was rising 2, that after the long summer holiday, with his 3 older siblings on tap the whole time, he was bored and was going to be difficult. not in so many words of course; but i found a local nursery for 2 sessions per week, and he loved it. Gave me a break, and him the company of other children.

My dd goes to playgroup twice a week and she loves it. She goes 1 day for a full day 9:30-3:00 and another for a half day 9:30 - 12:00

tbh I think she has really come out of her shell since she started and I think it's a stepping stone to get her use to nursery.

If your dd likes it then dont feel guilty, let her enjoy it and added bonus you can enjoy some "me" time