nursery for one day a week - good idea or not?

[TheWheelsOnTheBusHaveFallenOff]

ds is 2.5 and has just started at a nursery school, the maximum time he can go there is 3 afternoons (3 1/4 hours) a week, they are very over subscribed. He loves it, I love it, and I don't want to change it.

I really need more time without him though as I work from home, and just can't get the hours in that I need to, plus it's run termly so all the holidays to contend with too. I'm a lone parent so struggle to keep on top of everything.

I would like to send ds to nursery for one day a week, that way I have a year-round guaranteed day each week to fulfil my work obligations etc.

ds has never been to nursery, as in a group day care setting, before. He's been to CMs and enjoyed that once settled in, but it was of course a very one-to-one set up.

All opinions on whether it's a good idea, from ds's point of view, would be welcome please. It solves everything for me, but is the poor child going to be utterly confused going to nursery school and then a nursery on top of that? Is one day a week just not enough to feel secure and settled, or is it a normal thing for children to do?

Thanks

[TwoManyFallsAndYouGetABadScore]

DD started off in nursery for one day a week from the age of 1 and then when she was 3 she started going to preschool for 2 mornings as well. she was fine with, although did show a strong preference for preschool when she started there. It was so little bit confusing but nothing we didn't manage. All I can say is why don't you just try it to see how it works out?

DD now goes to pre-school for 5 mornings and is much better with the consistency but if they can't offer you that then I would give it a try. It might not work out but he might love it.

[Danthe4th]

Do what works for you, your ds will adapt, but not all nurseries allow 1 day some insist on a minimum of 2.

[TheWheelsOnTheBusHaveFallenOff]

thanks both, v reassuring.

[decisiontime]

My 2.5 year old goes to nursery 1 day a week (full day) since he was 18 mo and he loves it. The only thing I would recommend you is to find out about the staff turn over rate because if he changes key worker frequently that might not help his feeling of security. I have similar problem with my son who has literally changed 10 key workers in one year. At the beginning he was much happier than recently, but recently they seem not able to keep their staff. Hope this help.

[FiveGoMadonTheDanceFloor]

DS and DD both in nursery (DD is now in the pre school bit) both started off as 2 mornings which worked well and they enjoyed it. They are now both 5 mornings. Agree with the staff turnover. In the nearly 3 years we have been using it there have been 3 staff who have left, which is incredibly low but says a huge amount about what the nursery is like and how it is run.

[M1SSUNDERSTOOD]

I have done this with both DSs though DS1 only went to one nursey for full day and sessions at other, DS2 has to fo to one nursey am and another pm 2 days a week so that is confusing. We cope because transfers are done by DH and he just explains to DS2 (4) what is happening. This situation has been alleviated as all pre school sesiins are in one setting so 5. X 2.5 hours and only 2 sessions in day care which actually means less time for him in childcare iyswim. I'm sure ir's no different to going to a. CM am and them taking DS2 to preschool.