Is there an optimal part-time nursery attendance?

[7Worfs]

I’m sending my 1yo back to nursery today and am tying myself in knots over the hours I chose.
My job is fairly flexible, so can send him in any configuration, as long as I get some hours to focus on work.

For June I’ve chosen:

Monday - afternoon
Tuesday - whole day
Wednesday - morning
Thursday - whole day

Is this too varied? Should I change it to something more same-y for July?

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Was he in nursery pre lock down? What hours then if so?
I’m haven’t changed the hours my child is going from before 2 whole days and 1 morning.
Your nursery probably won’t allow changes per month.

[7Worfs]

Should have said - is too much variety making it difficult for children to get used to the routine of nursery attendance?

Pre-lockdown he did 2 afternoons a week for several weeks as it was the end of my mat leave. He was happy then. I’m so worried now that he’s older he’ll be upset due to separation anxiety kicking in.

[7Worfs]

Our nursery allow upping the hours or shuffling the days if they can accommodate, and attendance is low so they have flexibility.
I won’t abuse it, as soon as I see he’s settling well I’ll up the hours from 20h to maybe 28-30h a week and stay that way.

[Mysterian]

I'm a baby room nursery nurse. I would go for 3 full days for the consistency. Monday and Fridays are usually quieter in nurseries, so I would go for them, with Wednesday as the other. Children can find nursery a bit exhausting due to the amount of stimulation so not having 2 days in a row would be handy. If you could start early to finish early it might be good. Some children do get impatient when other Mums and Dads pick their children up.

[7Worfs]

Thank you Mysterian! I can see what you mean, he was there for 3 hours this afternoon and I as very tired. He’s much more active there than home.

[7Worfs]

*came home very tired

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

For what it’s worth my LO does
Tuesdays
Thursdays
Friday mornings

I’ve had to add the odd day here and there, never noticed an issue.

[Lazypuppy]

My dd does 5 mornings.

My nursery was the same - flexible - so we played about with the hours till we found the right routine for dd

[7Worfs]

I’m going to see if a pattern emerges. So far only noticed morning drop offs are much easier than midday ones. He doesn’t even look back as he’s carried in.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Around 1 my LO had a long afternoon nap. So a morning nursery slot would have been great

[7Worfs]

Mine naps 10.30 to 12pm when at home, and refused a nap at nursery yesterday. 🤷‍♀️

[happytoday73]

My children did 3 full days at nursery... other 2 with my mum. Nursery picked the days where had most space.. Monday, thur, Fri... These were quieter days.

Slept really well Friday night!
Not doing 3 days on the trot helped them a lot. Full day option over half day meant days out with grandparents etc that wouldn't have been able to if in half days

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

I’m on mat leave later this year and was considering changing my LOs days to half days but had the same opinion as the poster above that we would then struggle to have days out in the time.

[7Worfs]

I’ve also now come to the conclusion that full days (but short-ish, 7h) are better.

[underneaththeash]

I've done three children at nursery/pre-school. 4 days 2 short and and 2 longer are best from my experience in upper nursery and 4 short in lower nursery.
That's from a child's perspective though. That obviously doesn't work from a work one.