Play school

Two is quite young and there are the ' terrible twos ' to contend with as well. I would make leaving the child as matter of fact as possible, no long drawn out goodbyes which only increase anxiety. I agree with Daddima, don't sneak away just say goodbye and reassurance you will be back later.

My eldest 3 went happily to playschool - it was very structured with lots of activities . Number 4 hated every minute of it , was very upset everytime I took him even going to the lengths of hiding under the bed in a rolled up mat on the playschool mornings . After the first term it was clear it wasn`t going to improve and I stopped taking him. He was much happier at home doing things with me and I don`t think it did him any harm . When he started school at 5 he went in happily the first day and didn`t even look back to say goodbye . 2 is very young, when mine went you had to be at least 3 for playschool and it was only for 3 hours at a time .

I still believe that 2 is young to start at playgroup, although I know many children are in nursery all day from a very early age. My DGC were 3 when they started at playgroup or nursery but I know that 2 is the norm nowadays and the DGC started at 2. They were unsure at first and DGD2 spent much of her time in the 'quiet' corner looking at the books if she could. However, she made friends there and is now at school with some of her friends from playgroup.

She will need reassurance and will soon get used to the fact that mummy or granny will be picking her up every time.

You say that she was very upset after her nap - sometimes children do wake up from a daytime nap rather disoriented and take a while to come round properly.

Oops meant to say my 2 year old DGS! sounds like I was referring to my own 2 year old. Ah - that would have made medical history.

You have my sympathy Buddly. My 2 (almost 3) year old has started nursery and this is his third week. Apparently mummy is able to leave him now, but he has his 'moments' when he realises she's not there and cries for her. Twice, recently, he has been at our house without daddy (who usually drops him off here ) and he has sobbed as my son is leaving. However, with a bit of distraction, he's stopped but then started again sometime later, and we go through the distraction process again. It seems to work. We've never had any problems like this until he started nursery.

It seems to me that some parents can drop their children off and they just get stuck in and play but other, more sensitive children, have a hard time initially.

I know how heartbreaking it is for us Grans who can't bear to think of the little ones being upset but, hopefully, it will pass and they will adjust being in a different environment without mummy.

I meant to add, please don't sneak away when the wee one is distracted, as they'll be scared that you'll disappear when they're not looking!

Before we took children into nursery, we advised the parent/s just to tell the child , " we're going to nursery", as very often they start telling the child ages before that they've to be a big boy/girl, and not cry for mummy/daddy. ( I'm assuming that the nursery will be happy for parents to stay for the first couple of sessions)
On the day you've decided to leave them, just say, " I'm going shopping now, I'll be back soon", quick kiss, and leave immediately. I've seen so many children take control of the nursery door meltdown.
I've also said to parents that it's not the end of the world if the child doesn't go to nursery ( controversial!)

Is she able to talk about it ?My DGD was the same when she started at 2 and a half.For her it was the lunchtime because the hand dryers were too noisy !It may be something quite simple but she may still be too young to vocalise it.It is sad,I agree ,as we dont want our GC upset even if it is transient.

X-posts!

This is quite common at 2. Childen are just beginning to look outside their immediate surroundings and realise there's a world out there they don't really understand. IMO it's quite a healthy reaction.

When she's with you and crying for mum, just cuddle her, tell her mum will come after (insert whatever you are planning to do with her) and then distract her by doing it - taking her out, painting, cooking, playing, etc..

Other decisions, such as his to deal with the play school separation anxiety, are best left to mum and the play school staff.

And also, separation anxiety is normal.

Forgot to say, the longer that Mum stays with her at pre-school the worst it will be!

I can only go on my own experience Buddly but one DD loved pre-school ( they had to be 3 back then) the other DD had to be moved around until we found one with structure to the morning ( not just a large room of children zipping about) and DS hated any and wouldn't settle so as he was happy with me I didn't bother, he stayed home and we did activities.All were fine on starting school ( again, though, it was later as they had to have had their 5th birthday.)
With two youngest DGC, both had tears the first week, and then settled down, but both were happier when moved to a different pre-school, again with more structure to the day and desk activities.
Now and then ( oldest at school now) the younger one will play up a bit, but does normally go there happily.