Daycare related advice

kreeper611

Cooper was always a fan of school and would get so excited when we got there in the morning.  However, since he changed classes he cries every day.  He's fine when we walk in and walk all the way to the door, but as soon as he sees his morning teacher he FREAKS out.  I have to peel him off of me and he cries like crazy.

I think that teacher is a little rough around the edges, but overall she's ok.  I don't think she's mean to him, I just don't think he likes her.  He's always happy when I pick him up and he still gets excited to see his other teachers.

I just really don't know what I should do...if anything.  Most days he's the only kid there in the morning, but I'm not sure how long that lasts.  Should I talk to the director?  Talk to the teacher and ask how long he freaks out?  Or just ignore it?

And if it doesn't change, how long do I let it go on before I do something else?  Like change schools...???  I don't want to be "that parent" but it's not like he can tell me that the teacher yells at him.  I just feel like I see all of these other kids that are happy there so I don't want to overreact.

Suzi-G-

Could it be separation anxiety more than just that teacher? 

When we switched schools back in September separation anxiety hit my Cooper pretty hard.  Every morning he would wail and try to climb my leg.  He was happy as a lark when I picked him up and clearly liked his afternoon teacher.  I thought for awhile he didn't like the morning teacher, I'm not sure if that was true or if he just didn't like the fact that I was leaving him.  He did eventually warm up to her or get over the separation anxiety--whichever it was.  It took him about 6 weeks before drop offs became easy.  Now he's all smiles and ready to go as soon as we walk in. 

The thing that helped most was I started putting him in a high chair and giving him cheerios when we got to daycare in the morning.  That way he'd be eating and distracted (and happy because that boy loves Cheerios) when I left.  Somehow high chair + breakfast was OK but on the floor with toys was not OK. 

I'd definitely talk to the teacher about it, you don't have to say it like it's an accusation or even anything personal against her.  I'd just ask "gee Cooper's never done this before, how long does it take for him to settle down after I leave?" Our teacher assured me he never cried for long at all, and yes, I stood out of sight in the hallway some mornings listening just to be sure!

readyforbaby

I agree that it could be separation anxiety and just adjusting to the new room.  DS is almost 21 months and we still have a lot of bad drop offs.  We know that he loves going to school and all the teachers (he doesn't want to leave at night!) but he just has a hard time being left in the morning.  He will be fine all the way up to his classroom door but as soon as I open it is when he gets upset. We will have a really good week without any crying so I will think he is over it but the next week he will be clinging to me again. 

If he just transitioned to a new room is it possible that you could drop him off in the old room and then they can move him to the other one once you have left.  We did that for a while and it helped a little.  When he was younger he also liked being put in the highchair to eat breakfast immediately. 

I too would normally listen at the door for a minute and the crying was always short lived.  If you think he is crying a lot during the day I think you should talk to the director about it but if it is pretty quick in the morning I would tend to think it is just a phase.

CareBear01

I feel like everytime we had to change rooms, it took a good month for DS to adjust.  I am not sure how long you have changed over, but you might just give it some time.  I don't know that the director could do anything about it anyway?  It's not as if something "wrong" is happening (HOPEFULLY!).  I hope it gets better!  DS LOVES school right now.  It's really fun to see him run into the class and sit in his circle (although sad that he doesn't even look back to give me a second glance! But I would much rather him like school, even if it hurts my heart just a little.  ).

CareBear01

Suzi-G-:

I'd definitely talk to the teacher about it, you don't have to say it like it's an accusation or even anything personal against her.  I'd just ask "gee Cooper's never done this before, how long does it take for him to settle down after I leave?" Our teacher assured me he never cried for long at all, and yes, I stood out of sight in the hallway some mornings listening just to be sure!

All of this!  Def. ask if he settles.  For instance, during bed time, DS will SCREAM his lungs out while I am walking out the door, then by the time I am downstairs and get the monitor, he is quietly settling down in his crib.  He might just know that will get attention from you (or make you stay longer), so he does it for that. 

I would def. drop him off, then wait in the lobby for 5 minutes and peek in to see if he has gotten over it.  You will probably be surprised that he is happily playing - then that will make you feel better.

Also, my drop off is SUPER quick.  Literally, I put him down, but his bag up, give him a kiss and I am out the door.  The quicker you leave, the less he has to get worked up about (although harder on you!).

 Good luck!!

kreeper611

Thanks.  I feel better about this.  I asked the teacher this morning and she said he usually quits crying right away.  I hung out in the lobby for a few seconds to check him out and by the time she got him into the high chair, he was fine.  I'm hoping over time it gets better...

TexasHarmony

We still have days like this.  I think it is a combo of the age and the change of rooms.  And those rough around the edges teachers sometimes end up being the favorite teachers.