5 half days or 2 full days and a half day?

[SMH77]

My son is 3 and a half and so qualifies for the 15 hours a week government funded education. I'm currently using this towards his nursery fee as he attends 8 until 6 for 3 days a week. My part-time job as a Product Manager was made redundant when I was 8 months pregnant and I'm considering becoming a full-time mum for my son and daughter (who is now nearly 11 months) and sending my son to the nursery which is part of the school he will be attending instead of the private one he currently attends.

I have 2 options, 5 half days a week or 2 full days and a half day. I'm just mulling over which would be best for him. 2 full days will get him used to the full day thing (although he currently has longer days at nursery) and will leave us with 2 full days in the week to do other things. However, 5 half days will get him used to the 5 days of school and I won't have to pay £6.50 per day for lunch for him (!). BUT we will have to be fairly local each day. Oh the dilemma, I'm just filling out the admission form for September. Any advice would be gratefully received.

[ReetPetit]

if you are home and able to do the drop off pick/up yourself, i would go for the 5 half days...

[Murtette]

I think I'd be tempted for the half days as that will give you some time with DD each day. Is she giving any indication as to settling into having one long nap each day? If so, think about whether you want DS to be in nursery when she's usually napping so you get some downtime & a chance to catch up on household stuff or if you'd rather have him at home when she's napping so that you can spend some time with just him when she's asleep. Do you have to do just mornings or just afternoons or can you mix & match?
As for long days, the holidays seem to come around very quickly & that gives you the opportunity to do all day things.