How to spread out 15 hours in nursery for a 3 year old

[Concordia]

The nursery has 3 hour sessions 9-12 and 12-3. Would you go for -
2 six hour days and 1 3 hour morning /afternoon
or
3 three hour mornings and 1 long 6 hour day
or 5 three hour mornings
to use up 15 hours free in a nursery for a child who will be 3y3m on entry?

[nickytwotimes]

Here, they have 5 half days which is quite good as it is not too long a day for them. If you are using it as childcare while you are at work, then would either be better than the other?

[compo]

are you working?
I think a session in the morning everyday is nicest

[ruddynorah]

dd is 2.9 she does 3 afternoons now. when she gets the free place she'll go 5 afternoons.

[Concordia]

on maternity leave. will have to go back to work for 2 or 3 days a week a month after the nursery starts and will send DD (aged 1) to a childminder. i was hoping that childminder could collect / take DS to nursery for the sessions. Obviously would be cheaper if i used more childminder and less nursery on those days but think that after 3 months i am likely to stop work altogether, and then maybe 6 hour days may not be right if i am at home with my DCs. But i don't think i can change the sessions mid year as the nursery is very popular.

[Concordia]

sorry if that sounded very confusing - it is a confusing situation!

[babaduck]

Have just read a book on this time in nursery thing. It's a short book and very readable, Raising Babies by Steve Biddulph. His take on it is at 3 years, they are able for 3 short days at nursery. He doesn't expand on how short a short day is. But as you say it's a bit complicated if you might be changing your work schedule soon. My feeling would be to fit in with your work. The book is worth a read tho.

[UniS]

It has to depend on your child a bit. If s/he can't cope with out a nap/ rest in teh afternoon do mornings, if they are rubbish at getting up do afternoons etc. My lad will be starting at 3.2 with just 3 mornings, it will be quite enough for him and I think he will need a nap on those afternoons and teh days off in between to chill at home or do less busy activities. BUT that is my boy and how he is.

[misshardbroom]

personally, I'd go for 5 x 3hr mornings. They get nicely used to getting up in the morning, dressed, breakfast and out to school, and they have the continuity of going every day.

[sail73]

My ds1 does 2 full days (9-3) so 12 hours suits him brilliantly!