Hello! I'm desperately looking for advice on what to do about my childminder. Here's what's going on. My DD (now 11 months) started with her CM at the beginning of December for 2 days a week. It took a while to settle but by Christmas she seemed just about OK. Then she had three weeks off over Christmas (holiday then she was ill). Since then, it's been a nightmare to be honest. She is still going for two days (one full, two half) but seems to cry a lot. She starts wailing as we approach the door, and I can hear her up the street as I leave. My CM says that she cries on and off most of the day. However, she does get better towards the end of the week. She is meant to be going up to three days a week from now - but today she is going to come home early as she's got a cold and I HAVE TO WORK! Aaaargh.
So now I'm thinking, she's been going for nearly two months and she's not remotely settled. Is this 'normal'? I just don't know whether I should be looking for a new CM (although would that add to the disruption)? The nurseries around here are totally full so that's not really an option. I trust the CM and like her, I think she's kind, but I know she's finding the constant crying. I find myself apologising for my DD but also feeling desperate that she's so unhappy. By the way, once she's home with me, she's happy as anything, smiling and laughing. She is also a very determined girl, and one of the problems is that she WILL NOT sleep in the day, unless in the buggy.
Has anyone else been in this situation, and what have you done? Sorry .... this is realllly long!