nursery days

[luckynumber3]

Hiya, my little girl Ellie is due to start nursery in january and I am going in to sign the contracts for 15 hours a week this Thursday, I wanted to ask for some advice from ladies that have been through taking toddlers to nursery, especially with a newborn.

We have been offered 5 mornings a week, 3 hours a day and I was wondering if this is ok? It would be good for her to get into the routine of doing something everyday so she can prepare for school but so you think she might be more upset having more mornings away while I have a newborn (due late dec) ? I could possibly ask for 3 mornings a week at 5 hours a day but is this a bit much initially? Sorry if i sound clueless but i sort of am really! I just dont want to end up making her upset! x

 

[isil]

I don't have a newborn but I personally like that my son is away for a longer day. It means that you can get more done or go to a group and then get something done (with your younger LO). I can see good points about going every day though too. I guess it just depends on your personal preference. I think your daughter will adapt fine whatever you choose though

My LO goes 3 days a week from 9-3:30. I pay to top it up to a full day.

 

[BethK]

I don't have a newborn either i'm afraid but i think the 5 hours per day would be better than 3.

My LO goes to nursery 8 - 8.30am to 1pm Monday to Wednesday. This means she gets the whole morning, she gets time to play, if they go to the park or to feed the ducks or out for a picnic she can go too as she has all morning there. Then she also gets to have lunch with the others before we collect her.

If she was only there for 3 hours she'd miss out on their little trips, she'd have to stay behind, also might miss out on activities as she's only there for 3 hours.

I think when LO moves up to preschool i'll be putting her in for 5 mornings a week, but that'll still be 8 - 1pm so still 5 hours and then days when they're doing special things in the afternoon, such as trips or plays etc then she can stay for that if she wants.

 

[luckynumber3]

Thank you for your replies That's what I was concerned about BethK, i'm not sure if she would even get lunch there so she would be missing out on a lot! What I might do if they can't give her 3 5 hour sessions to make 15 hours will just pay the top up hours on 3 days or so so she gets more in. x

 

[BethK]

Thank you for your replies That's what I was concerned about BethK, i'm not sure if she would even get lunch there so she would be missing out on a lot! What I might do if they can't give her 3 5 hour sessions to make 15 hours will just pay the top up hours on 3 days or so so she gets more in. x

Yes that would be a good idea. The 5 days a week would be handy so she got used to going every day like she would have to at school but 3 hours just isn't really enough to join in.

And any less than 3 days a week and it's harder for them to settle as they forget about it by the time the day comes around again.

It's so expensive though isn't it! At the moment Freya goes 3 morning's and it costs us £60. But when she moves up to the Pre-school room i'd like her to do 5 morning's a week to get used to it. I don't want her going from 3 mornings to 5 full days when school starts, but that'll cost another £40.

Does everyone get the 15 hours free do you know?

 

[keepontrying]

Thank you for your replies That's what I was concerned about BethK, i'm not sure if she would even get lunch there so she would be missing out on a lot! What I might do if they can't give her 3 5 hour sessions to make 15 hours will just pay the top up hours on 3 days or so so she gets more in. x

Yes that would be a good idea. The 5 days a week would be handy so she got used to going every day like she would have to at school but 3 hours just isn't really enough to join in.

And any less than 3 days a week and it's harder for them to settle as they forget about it by the time the day comes around again.

It's so expensive though isn't it! At the moment Freya goes 3 morning's and it costs us £60. But when she moves up to the Pre-school room i'd like her to do 5 morning's a week to get used to it. I don't want her going from 3 mornings to 5 full days when school starts, but that'll cost another £40.

Does everyone get the 15 hours free do you know?

Every 3 and 4 year old in the Uk is entitled to a minimum 15 hours per week , 38 weeks of the year. It would start the term after their 3rd birthday. Some areas have pilot schemes for 2 yr olds but these tend to only run in disadvantaged areas and for children who come from less well off families (those at the risk of poverty)
Its worth remembering that if you choose a day nursery you will be billed for 52 weeks of the year and the funding only runs for 38 so there will be an additional cost.
You can claim your hours at up to two providers ,so for instance you could do 9/10 hours in one day at a day nursery then two 2.5 hour sessions at a preschool.
You must do a minimum of 3 days to claim your full entitlement.

x

 

[Lightworker]

I had this experience. We started off with 5 afternoons a week (I couldn't do mornings as I didn't feel confident that I'd be making it on time). It worked alright, sometimes I was in a bit of a state trying to get things done quickly.

However, somewhere down the line we were offered 2 full days, and one half day, and I wish I'd done this from the onset as this would have made things so much easier. If I were you I would definitely go with the 3 five-hour days, but it depends on how well your toddler will cope with 5 hours away.

One thing that I also wish I did, as this would have taken away 70% of the headache away was I wish I was baby-wearing. Messing about with the pram and thing just made things worse for me. Now we baby-wear its super easy. x

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I think we'll definitely go for 3 x 5 hour days (pref afternoons) rather than every morning. 3 hours would not allow me to get much done at home / with no2. I'd not choose full days initially (I dislike Ruby doing full days at the childminders currently, she is always a nightmare in the evenings as overstimulated/tired) but later on I'd maybe do that if it was possible.

 

[mummyflanagan]

my DD started pre-school 5 mornings a week for 3 hours a day she started last monday and is loving it! im due on saturday and tbh as much as i love having her around the peace is nice to get things sorted! we have all afternoon to play too. xx

 

[aimee-lou]

The pre-schools in our area are only open in the mornings (I think a couple do 2 afternoons per week) so all the children do 9.30-12.30 each day.

I think I'd try to go for longer days, but the everyday thing will be useful to get you all into the school routine.

 

[Frankie]

Liam used to do 8-1 2 days a week and now does 8-6 as I went full time, the longer the hours the better imo

 

[special_kala]

I th8nk 2hen rivers3 we are going to do 3 days a week 8~1

 

[smelly07]

personally preference and from experience..... my eldest daughter did 4 sessions a week 3 hours a day and my youngest daughter will be doing the same.
I definitely think 3 hours a day is enough and for me 4 sessions a week is enough for a 3 year old. x


A lot of parents tend to do the same having 1 day a week off....and i agree with you that 5 hours is too much in a day seeing as a school day is only 6 hours iykwim.........some parents even drop down to 3 sessions.......... i think they start school early enough as it is so personally for me as its not a 'childcare issue' 12 hours a week over 4 days for my girls was/will be plenty x

 

[hel_5]

we do 5 mornings a week for 3 hours - but thats what the playschool offer - either would be grand but i would find out what most other people who send their kids there do - nothing worse than all her friends being collected and her not been collected for another 2 hours or being collected before all her friends and feeling like she is missing out iykwim

The only thing about lucy going 5 mornings is that if i dont feel like doing anything in the afternoon she is grand with that as she has already been somewhere/done something that day