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Took our toddler to see three playschools. He screamed at two and wouldn't leave the third

linen_compass_955

We aren't sure we'll start this June at all, but we went to look. At two of them he clung to me and cried for the whole visit. At the third he found a sand tray and refused to come home. The third is also the one I liked least on paper: smaller, older building, none of the activity timetable the others showed us. How much weight do you give a toddler's reaction on one visit? Part of me thinks he just liked sand that day.

3 comments

  • basil_sandal_2278

    I wouldn't make it the only thing, but I wouldn't ignore it either. My younger one howled at the place we eventually chose and settled within three weeks, so first reactions aren't destiny. What I'd ask about the third one is why he was comfortable. Was it the space, or an adult who got down to his level? That part carries over. The sand tray doesn't.

    • linen_compass_955

      It was an adult, now that I think about it. One of the teachers sat on the floor and handed him a scoop without asking him anything. At the other two, the first thing anyone did was ask him his name.

  • lagoon_river_4846

    Baby's only a few months old, so I'm just reading. 'Sat on the floor and handed him a scoop' sounds like the answer to your question though.

    • linen_compass_955

      My partner said exactly that. We're going back next week for a second look, and I'll keep him away from the sand tray this time to be fair to the other two.

  • orchid_pool_5209

    Fourteen years on, all our son remembers about playschool is the swing. He turned out fine.

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