How long did it take for your child to settle in at Nursery? | ExpatWoman.com
 

How long did it take for your child to settle in at Nursery?

651
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 13:26

My DD started Nursery last week, 3 morning a week from 8:30 - 12:30. Last week we started off from 9-11am, and this week 9 - 12pm...until she eventually goes for the full morning.

DD is 14+ months and has NEVER been a tantrumy baby, HOWEVER, since las week there has been lots of screaming, stomping of feet and trying to resist her afternoon nap when we get home! Also waking up at night, and just being unsettled :\: Over the week-end we seemed to have gotten her back on track though. When I went to pick her up today, she had not noticed that I had walked into the class and she was have a screaming fit and stomping her feet at one of the Assistants! Most of the kids were having meltdowns (it was lunch time though) and there is one particular boy who is ALWAYS crying when I pick DD up.

So just wondering how long this "settling-in phase" lasts and if the screaming/tantrums will eventually settle? No problems dropping her off, just a few tears close to pick up time.

TIA

651
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 19:59
Thank you ladies! This week was pretty stressful for both her and me :( Have spoken to a couple of friends and teachers and advised me to give it until the 4 week mark to see if any changes! Also this week has been half term so a few of the extra mural acvtivities were on hold and her teacher was also covering another position, so in and out of the class throughout the day! All in all, one too many changes for her this week :( Lots of crying and just generally unsettled! Lost of deep breathes for Mummy though!
84
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2012 - 12:45
Thanks Carol! Their day is actually very structured ( which I love) and works well as I've always tried to keep our day and activities as "routine-like" as possible, pre-nursery! It's the "imitating-others" phase which I was wondering about?! Today on a playmate DD tried to snatch a pram from another girl and threw a hissy fit, feet stomping and all when she did not want to give it to her. This something which she never ever did before and has only started since nursery. Yes there is a bit of this in the clas room ;) they are like sponges and learning so much. Also with a nursery environment, there are alot more children to "share" with ;) and this should calm down after they are taught and learn to share more, just help her by explaining in those situations, she may not get to play with it long, because there is only one, and she needs to share... she'll get there eventually. Most children have issues when they are playing with something and it gets taken away, but if you explain calmly that the others need to have a turn, it does eventually work - good luck :)
308
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 February 2012 - 08:54
DD has been at nursery in the mornings since i went back to work at 6 months. She had no issues settling in, and now runs into the room and barely notices when Dh has left! She too has recently started doing the whole stampy-foot thing though. I attribute it more to her age, and growing frustrations at her lack of ability to make me understand what she wants. I am also not quick enough for her - when she wants food, she wants it NOW! Not in the 5 minutes it takes me to prepare it :-) I think its just a toddler thing - our quiet little cuddly babies are no more!
651
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 19:20
Thanks Carol! Their day is actually very structured ( which I love) and works well as I've always tried to keep our day and activities as "routine-like" as possible, pre-nursery! It's the "imitating-others" phase which I was wondering about?! Today on a playmate DD tried to snatch a pram from another girl and threw a hissy fit, feet stomping and all when she did not want to give it to her. This something which she never ever did before and has only started since nursery.
84
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 06 February 2012 - 14:34
I used to work in a nursery and the class I worked with was 14months - 2 years, and the settling in period was a bracket of 1 day to about 3 months ..... sounds like a long time, but every child is different. It is a big step for a child, and it can feel like a long time away from Mum. There is also a structured day in nursery's or at least the one I worked in, with set times for Garden play, inside play, reading, drawing, etc so gettig in to a routine as well as getting to know the nursery, and adapting to the new environment and faces can take time. Stay positive :)
 
 

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