Tearful Drop-Offs - How do You Make Daycare Goodbyes a Little Easier?

It's Thursday.  The fourth day of the week.  And the fourth day my daughter has cried as I leave her in the two-year-old classroom at her preschool.  Last week, she was fine...giggling and running into the arms of her teacher.  The week before that, she cried.  Every. Single. Day.  There's really no rhyme or reason for her erratic behavior...other than the fact, of course, that she's two and her perspective changes frequently.  One week, school is a lot of fun.  The next day, she wants to stay home with mommy. (The same goes for her friends -- one day her best friend is Emily.  The next day it's Ethan and Emily is no longer in her "circle of trust".)  Unfortunately, mommy has to go to work.  So, whether it's a "good" bye or a sad one, off I must go.  

I have no concerns over the school itself or her teachers.  They are a wonderful group and I'm always impressed with how clean and orderly the classes are.  I've peaked in and watched my baby girl playing through mirrored glass (so she can't see me), and I know for a fact that's she's having a blast.  So, why must she leave me on such a sour note sometimes?  (Her teachers assure me that within a few minutes, she's off and playing, but what a terrible way to have to leave your child!)

As far as "leaving" techniques, I've tried everything:

• Talking to her about her school day as we're driving there  (how much fun she'll have, any interesting classes or activities that are planned, etc.)
• She walks herself into the school and up to her classroom door.
• We spend time together in the class and I try to get her settled with some toys or distract her with a book.
• The teacher and I talk for awhile about life in general.

Then, when it's time for me to leave, I give her a hug and a kiss and tell her I'll be back in the afternoon.  That's when the drama starts.  She leaps into my arms (if she's left them at all) and burrows her head in my neck and shoulder.  Her poor teacher has to peel her off while she cries and fusses.  It leaves me with this awful sinking feeling that I should rush back and go get her.  (Not a fun way to start my work day either.)

I've watched some parents just push their bewildered looking youngsters through the door and leave -- most of these kids seem just fine with that, actually.  But, I know if I just "dumped" my daughter and ran, she'd be even more of a mess than if I spent a few minutes getting her adjusted.

I'm sure I'm not the only parent of a toddler/preschooler who has difficult drop-offs on a regular basis.  How do you handle your own kiddos when it comes to leaving them at school or with a daycare provider?