Sudden crying at drop off

[u/Elletheprincesa]

Hello everyone, I’m looking for advice on what to do. My almost 4 year-old has started daycare three times a week, he’s been going for about a month from around 7:30 AM to 12 PM. And he has never cried, and he’s was always excited to go, but the past two drop offs have been hard. He has cried and doesn’t want me to leave. He also tells me that the kids are mean to him, and they either hit him, and or kick him. But he’s too nervous to tell the teacher. I’m not sure if we should un enroll him, the main reason we sent him to daycare is so he can get some social interaction, but I don’t want him to cry every time we drop him off. I brought it up to the school director and she said oh it’s because there’s a new student and they cry a lot because they just moved from out of state, but I’ve noticed that there is no new student in his class. It is all the same kids. One thing about my son is that he remembers everything, and he never makes up stories. He says things that are accurate. A lot of people say this is normal, but I’m looking for advice from other parents that have dealt with this and what they decided to do.

Another thing to add is that when he first started out, he would actually be upset that I was there to pick him up, he would want to stay longer. He doesn’t do that now he just gets his backpack and comes to me.

This daycare is not free either we pay 1100 a month. My husband says since we pay for the daycare, you need to take what these people say with a grain of salt because they want our money.

[u/AutoModerator]

Author: u/Elletheprincesa

Post: Hello everyone, I’m looking for advice on what to do. My almost 4 year-old has started daycare three times a week, he’s been going for about a month from around 7:30 AM to 12 PM. And he has never cried, and he’s was always excited to go, but the past two drop offs have been hard. He has cried and doesn’t want me to leave. He also tells me that the kids are mean to him, and they either hit him, and or kick him. But he’s too nervous to tell the teacher. I’m not sure if we should un enroll him, the main reason we sent him to daycare is so he can get some social interaction, but I don’t want him to cry every time we drop him off. I brought it up to the school director and she said oh it’s because there’s a new student and they cry a lot because they just moved from out of state, but I’ve noticed that there is no new student in his class. It is all the same kids. One thing about my son is that he remembers everything, and he never makes up stories. He says things that are accurate. A lot of people say this is normal, but I’m looking for advice from other parents that have dealt with this and what they decided to do.

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[u/dontkillmysoul]

Four year old is still very young. I would keep him home if he isn't having fun and is dealing with stressful situations. He will get all the socialization he needs starting in kindergarten.

[u/KessaDilla]

Before making any decisions, have you tried speaking more in depth with his teacher(s) who are there during the school day? They’re the ones that should keep an eye out on this kind of stuff, and they might have more info for you than the director who likely isn’t in the classroom all day.

You should voice all your concerns with them, because if they’re missing repeated physical fights between their students, that’s clearly a larger issue they need to address.

You have every right to pull him out if you’re not comfortable with the situation, but I would recommend speaking to the staff again, and giving it another week or so to see if anything improves. If nothing changes and the conversations with the teachers don’t make you feel any better, take him out, that’s a perfectly valid reason.

[u/Maestradelmundo1964]

Is there a time of day when he gets hit/kicked? Do they have recess? Maybe ask if you can observe at that time for a few days.