I only need one day a week but should my DDs go more often?

[haloflo]

Hi my DDs 2.5 and 6 months are both starting nursery soon for one day PW.

Reading up on the matter suggests they need to go more often but this will push us both financially (we claim tax credits) and emotionally (less time with them) At the moment they will spend Monday with their dad, Tuesday nursery, Wednesday me and thursday/Friday - each set of grandparents. WWYD? Should I fit in another morning? For both or just one.

I anticipate my eldest will go Monday am Tuesday all day and Wednesday am when she is 3 and gets funding.

[TurnOffTheTv]

My 18 month started going one day a week about six weeks ago and she is not settling well at all. As from next week I'm swoping her to two mornings instead, hopefully this will give her a bit of routine, and not just having one very long day without me.

[Bonsoir]

Two half days would indeed be better.

[haloflo]

Maybe I should see how they get along then? I can't do 2 mornings as I work Tuesdays so would have to add mornings or afternoons in to up their attendance.

[haloflo]

Gps want them for full days too as they can enjoy part time work or retirement.

[haloflo]

Unless I work Tuesday and Wednesday morning instead of all day Tuesday. I'd be 5 days PW then but childcare would be spread out. Stress!

[Littlefish]

I would recommend them attending on two separate days per week. Once a week means that it's a very long time between sessions and can lead to children not settling easily.

[menopausemum]

Don't do it! Your child is much better of with you or grandparents. No matter how good the nursery I think one day a week is enough.

[Littlefish]

Menopausemum - it's not to do with how good the nursery is, it's to do with a child settling well.

In my setting, we are not able to accommodate parents who only want one day as we know how difficult it is for children to settle and develop good relationships if there is a long gap between each attendance.

[Sallymr]

Would definitely recommend at least two mornings or afternoons

[haloflo]

Right I'm sending them Mon am and Tues all day when I go to back. if it gets too expensive I can always reduce the hours

before I return would you recommend Mon and Tues am to settle or Mon and Wed am. Or does it not matter that much?

[MortifiedAdams]

What worries me is they see a different person each of the five days per week - it just seems very unsettled.

[haloflo]

Yes but we both have to work so that can't be changed.

DD1 is relatively used to it as she still goes to my mums Thursdays and DPs parents Friday now with no hassle.

[Zoejcksn]

Hello
Ive worked in nursery for many years then childminder for 5 years and now I run my own small nursery. From exsperience i have all ways struggledto help a child settle for one day a week it makes forming a caring relationship with them difficult and getting to no each other even harder, i try to recommend two sessions a week, but we are extremely flixianle with our hours. Its so hard to find a solution which fit every one but make aure your nursery has a key worker in place which will help.
Dependent in yoir situation there is funding for 2 year olds now for 15 hours a week but it does depend on benefits recieved, still nomharm
In checking:)
Hope they settle soon:)

Regards
Zoe