my two years old still cries at daycare

My son is 25 months old. He has been in the daycare since he was 3
months old. He still cries everyday when I leave him. He cried about
2 minutes and then played. After he turned two, he cries a lot longer
and so sad. The teacher told me that he cries all the morning. He is
in the daycare for 5 hours/day on weekday. I drop him at 9:00 and play
with him until 9:30. He has time to play by himself or with him
friends another 1.5 hours. After that they have lunch at 11:00 and
then take a nap. I go to pick him up at 2:00. For this schedule, I
think it is not bad at all. He has a chance to play with other kids
and I can work. It seems like he doesn't like to be by himself
lately. He likes attention and the teachers don't give the kids
enough on this. His class has 10 kids per 2 teachers.

mbwagner...

My first daughter had a very hard time when she started
daycare, and my second daughter has some issues but
not as bad. Things that helped my girls:
1. A lovey - DD1 has a yellow moose that she sleeps
with every night and has gone to daycare every single
day. DD2 has a red plush puppy and is equally attached.
Every picture of DD1 from daycare for her first year has
her carrying that moose, it really helps her sooth herself.

2. A normal drop off routine. For DD1 it was get to school,
put away her coat, diaper change, wash hands, read 2
books, kiss, hug and hand off to a teacher. We would
do a 1-2-3 thing where I'd sway with her toward the
teacher on 1, then sway away, toward the teacher on
2 then away, and then sway toward the teacher and
hand off on 3. As soon as I did the hand off I left. Drop
off was 15 minutes. I told her I loved her and that
daddy would pick her up after nap and walked out
the door. She'd cry for a bit, get a snuggle from the
teacher and then apparently be okay. DD2 doesn't
get the books, but the rest is the same.

I *never* sneak away (don't ever do that, it's not nice),
and I really try to keep to a routine, knowing what comes
next really helps.

The daycare is in the center where I work. So I can go to check on him
whenever I want to, but I don't let him see me because he will cry if
he sees me. That's why I don't want to change to other daycare.

mbwagner...

Having a daycare at work is very nice (mine is a 10 minute
walk). I'd be hesitant to give that up. If you aren't happy with
the quality of the care, or don't feel they have addressed your
child's issues well, then you may consider another. You may
also want to consider a nanny if your son is better with one
on one attention.

Does anyone have any suggestion or any explanation why he still cries
(worse) even he has been there for 21 months? I feel so bad when I see
him cried that long. I always cry when I think about him while I am
working. Thank you very much for suggestion in advance.

mbwagner...

Also, is there a picture of your family at the daycare where he
can see it? That sometimes helps. Some kids just have
really bad separation anxiety.

Best of luck!

Mary W.

Brandon's Mommy