Hi, I live in France and they seem to do things a little differant here. My lo is 21 months and I am just starting to put her into a creche for 6hrs a week. It is 2hrs one day and 4hrs the other (strange i know) I have had to start very slowly as in leaving her for 1/2 hr then building her up. Everytime I leave her she is so upset. They say that she cries for about 15mins. She then plays for about 1hr then they call me to come and get her as she gets upset again after 1hr. We have been doing this for 7 days now and it is not getting anybetter. Now my question is.... does she really need to go to this creche??? I have a babysitter who come 2 mornings and we go to the park everyday. I think she sees quite a few other children. I am just wondering if I should take her out and just wait till she starts school. She will start when she is 3 1/2 here. There are other children at the creche that she knows but this doesn't seem to help. Many thanks Jo

even 6 months down the line she may feel more confident to go so if you're not happy, she's not happy and she doesn't need to go just try again another time and see how it goes. if you go to toddler groups and see lots of other children then she doesn't 'need' to go.
on the other hand 1 week is not a very long time to get settled into a routine and she may not know where she stands if on some days you get her after half an hour and on others she is left a bit longer. if the staff are not happy having a crying child and are phoning you instead giving her cuddles, distracting her and ensuring she feels settled and happy they're not doing their job! she could also then be picking up on their vibes and your vibes.
Having said that my son took a few weeks to settle at his childminders. its really really tricky because you could stick with it and she could be fine or you can just postpone for a bit and try again.
does she speak/understand french?
sorry waffling on! hope something i've said is helpful!

Hi Jo,
Is there anyone else that can take her when she goes to the creche?
The only reason I ask is because my son was roughly the same age when I started him at nursery and he too did not settle for weeks, we had to leave for an hr at a time 2 mornings a week, this went on for about 4 weeks, I then asked my sis if would take him over as I think he may settle if he's already said goodbye to me, it worked a treat after a few sessions he was settled in and actually couldn't wait to get in lol.
It should get easier as she will soon realise that Mummy does come back, so I would give a few more weeks at least.
Going to nursery has really helped my son in his development in all areas.

I hope you both manage to overcome this and she starts to enjoy it xx