DS didnt enjoy playgroup

Hi, today i took DS (20mnths) to the local playgroup for the first time, i thought he would love it

Whilst we were there, he was clingy, would moan if i was out of sight & generally justa happy chappy.. it was busy, like poss about 10mums & 15 kids, and so busy..

I really thought he would love it, as he goes to child care 2 days a week, and when we have to pick him up to take him home, he loves to see us, but also dissapointed that he has to leave..

He was also hitting kids today at play group, which as u can imagine, being 1st time i was embaressed, i hope that this is a phase..

Has anyone else had a toddler who didnt settle into play group immed, and then enjoy it

Also last night,2 friends arrived who he didnt know, and it was bed time, and it also made him absolutely miserable, cracked it big time when i went to talk to them.. it was like he was jealous- never seen this behaviour before

One of the boys at DS' playgroup started off like that, and we've noticed that the more he goes, the better he gets and more he interacts with the rest of the kids and the adults. Its a very structured playgroup though, which helps. THis boy also goes to creche too, but still took a while, probably about a term, to settle in at playgroup.

Maybe the new situation was a bit much. My son, as social as he is, can feel a bit overwhelmed when there is a lot of people around that he doesn't know. It usually takes a couple of visits and then he is fine.