behavior changes since daycare started?

You can find another daycare based on your suspicions. nothing wrong with that. But something they cannot deny you if you dont want to go on a care hunt quite yet is drop in and hang out while your son is at daycare. kinda lay back and watch how the other children and the staff interact with your son and other children.

When you drop him off do you walk him to his caregiver? This behavior is really normal especially if he has never been away from you in this type of setting. They probably are taking him to the toilet. Some daycare places will take kids in a small group at one time (multiple toilets). I really doubt if they are hitting him. Check the daycare out with the police dept to see if they have had any complaints. I know daycare is very costly but maybe try a different one and see if he does the same. You are allowed to "drop" in anytime you want to observe how they operate. It could take months for your baby to adjust. I have seen kids cry the whole time mommy was gone. It is sad. Does he have to go daily thru the week? I would suggest maybe let him stay 2-3 hours at a time if you can swing it. Good luck & eventually he will adjust.

Crying for a few minutes at drop-off is typical at this age--most kids take 1-2 weeks to adjust. Some (like my daughter) can take up to a month. Any chance you can peek in (without being seen by your son) maybe 5-10 minutes after drop-off to see how your son's doing? Most kids cry just as a show to their parents (healthy sign of attachment to their parents).

Crying at pick-up is not typical. For my daughter, she was really hungry and so she kept thinking about me and being sad by the time I picked her up. Whenever the daycare fed her an hour before pickup, she was fine at pickup. Occasionally, some kids cry if they're the last ones to be picked up.

If I were you, I'd probably check out other day cares for comparison and also try to peek in without your son knowing to see what happens. Then, just let your mother's instinct decide. Good luck!

I don't think the teachers would be hitting your son. Go on some surprise visits to the daycare in the afternoon. Then you will know what he is doing all the day.

About behavior change, it might be because, you are leaving him with others. He is trying to get adjusted to the new daycare.

At home, tell him you want to invite the teacher to your home. If you see scared look in his face, that means he is really scared of the teacher. If the expression doesn't change, teachers are ok.

Show him or read him books like Caillou goes to school, Spot goes to school or those kind of books. Those helped my daughter.

Maybe there is something that the daycare is doing that is causing his behavior to change. I would say that you call every once in the while during the day to ask how your son is doing. If nothing is good then I would say you take him out of the daycare.

It's totally normal to get suspicious of a day care when your child is acting this way, but chances are he's just got really bad anxiety. If he's never been in day care, he's bound to scream and make some 'temporary' behavior changes. Now, if he starts coming home with bruises, then I'd be worried...until then, give it a few more weeks and don't make the goodbyes all long and drawn out when you drop him off. Make it as short and sweet as you can and leave. I'm sure he is fine within minutes of you leaving.

I think he's just so little and now feels very insecure/confused about what's happening. Were you able to visit a few times and stay with him before the first drop off (I hope they let you stay away for 1/2 hour or so and then gradually increase the time throughout the 1 1/2 weeks). It's a good idea to gradually get them used to a new place and feel good there before leaving them there.

From my exp. working in a daycare and having a 2 year old if he hasnt adjusted in no way in a week or his behavior has changed it sounds like someone is not being a nice teacher i would switch if it where me.

I'd switch daycare.

Take him out