ds hates creche - but 3 month notice period major guilt

[monkey]

I'll try to keep it brief, but it's not my strong point!

I live in Switzerland. i have ds1 who's 5 & just started Kindergarten. Although we have lived here 4 years, ds1 started at Kindergarten last month with very little German & that saddens me.

I didn't want ds2, who's nearly 4, to start Kindergarten next August also with no German, so I arranged for him to go to a creche. The only do full days, but I thought for language developement this would be better than a couple of hours. He also goes to a playgroup for a couple of hours on Thursdays.

Anyway, he started last month so has been 4 or 5 times. the last coiuple of times he's cried & says it's too long, plus he doesn't like haveing a nap (they all have 2 hours sleep, but ds stopped his day time nap 2 years ago!) Anyway I spoke to them & they agreed he didn't have to nap but just look at books/play quietly during the nap time.

Today he was hysterical & sobbing he didn't want to go - it's too long. It was truly heart breaking & I feel trspped. He doesn't need to go _ I'm at home & happy to have him with me. Like I said the reason I got the place for him was because of the language.

The contract is for 3 months written notice. I can't pay for 3 months & him not go, it's really expensive. Everyone else (kids & poarenst) speak very highly of it & I'm sure it's a nice place, but I've never left one of my kids for a whole day & I feel very unhappy & trapped. they said stuff like maybe I can astay with him or collect him at 2 or whatever, but I also have an 11month old who need to have naps & ds1 comes starts his Chindsgi at 1.30, so it's all too much hassle really.

Any ideas? He was really full-on sobbing. I feel thoroughly miserable

Hi again Monkey,

Yes we're still over in CH so do hope we can get together at some point. Does your Gemeide run any activities for Pre-Kindergarteners at all? I have heard of some running Music classes and there are sometimes Muki-Turnen (sp?)for aged 3+ where you both go along and they seem to do gym circuits and activities. It may be a hassle with a baby in tow too but they can then progress onto Kinderturnen where you don't have to accompany them.

I've also heard that it is better to speak mother tongue to them and also that, to avoid confusion, one person should be associated with one language which is where your Swiss German speaking babysitter can help. I'm sure he'll be fine at Chindsgi and is probably absorbing more language than it seems in the meantime.

monkey, that sounds much better. are there singing groups? rhymes etc might be a good way to learn some basics