Hello!

My just turned 2 y.o is about to start childcare. He had 1 orientation for 1 hour and was ok until I left and then he was screaming. Whilst in the room he was absolutely fine.
He is very attached to me. What’s the best way to tackle this? Continue to stay for a bit or rip the bandaid off and walk out and he will eventually adjust?
We have 2 more orientations before he starts.


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • I’m also doing this soon too… Such a hard thing to go thru


  • I would stick with the transition, staying with him for a little each time then leaving him for a little bit. If he still doesn’t settle, you’ll just have to rip the bandaid off, drop him of and leave straight away. Quite often, they’re just fine a short time after you’ve left


  • My daughter was a similar age and I agree that the longer you delay leaving the worse it is. My daughter used to start crying as soon as we pulled into the street of her daycare…….but I reminded her each drop off that I would be back to pick her up and she could have so much fun while mum was at work…..it took her around 6-7 weeks to settle but the staff were very good at distracting her and although she was upset, within 5-10 minutes of me leaving she was all smiles and sunshine.


  • I feel for you, mine would be the exact same so I hope to find answers too


  • The Kindy I took my son too advised that I come in, go through their daily routine of bag in pigeon hole, sign in, hat & sunscreen a cuddle goodbye with a smile and walk out. It was a little heartbreaking but he didn’t cry very long – they would call a little later to say he was fine which was good to know. It only lasted a couple of drop offs and then he was more than happy to go every time. Chat to staff to get their recommendations


  • Whilst he is hysterical at drop off, I am sure he will have fun once he has settled in for the day. Probably best to make it a quick drop off as the longer you stick around, the harder it might be.


  • I agree the longer you stay the harder it gets. I often lead mine to an activity of interest and as soon they were engaging I turned around and slipped away, sometimes with help of the staff


  • If he is okay once you leave might be best just to cut it short and be in and out.


  • Stace has the right idea. The teachers/carers are used to that happening. We’ve always found out that the sooner you leave the sooner they settle. After a few days they might have so much fun that they might not want to go home. Even if a relative or friend minded him he might do the same thing. If you hesitate they tend to be worse (my niece was) and settle after you leave. Orientation didn’t used to exist.


  • A big kiss and cuddle goodbye then walk out with a smile. Things will get better xx


  • We had the same problem with our little boy. He was hysterical on drop off but once he was actually there he had fun days. It is absolutely heart wrenching when they are so upset but sadly the best is to just go (rip the bandaid) the longer you stay the harder it gets. Goodluck. It gets easier.


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join