To put the kids in full time childcare even if I work four days

[Earlgreyrose]

I'm in the process of negotiating a four day week from january.

Nursery offer a discount for full time places which means the price difference is negligible. As such I am considering keeping them in full time nursery and just make it a.shorter day for them. I just feel a bit bad!

No don't feel guilty. Make it a shorter day for them and get all your errands or laundry or whatever out of the way on that day in peace so that way you get to enjoy your days off together more.

Why do you want to do that?

Nice to have some time to yourself. Just pick them up earlier.

No it’s fine. What I would personally is use that day to do all your share of the errands and domestic duties and then “save” weekends to spend quality time with your children and don’t do anymore jobs beyond the basics like cleaning up after a meal etc.

Also it will be useful for when you need your hair doing or dental work etc

How old are they? Could you use the time to do housework/shopping etc then collect them early? So it sort of benefits them too, as you'll have more free time when you're with them?

It doesn't hurt to have a little time to yourself either. Most people don't manage to get this when the kids are very little, and they could really do with it. I'm slightly jealous tbh!

I couldn't, I wouldn't enjoy myself knowing I could be with them but chose not too.

Childcare when work is one thing, very different when not.

Our breakfast club is cheaper for 5 days than 4 so I usually book ds2 in for all 5 even tho I only work 4. I think your plan is fine but you should make the extra day a short one - maybe just a morning. Children get tired from being somewhere full time just as adults do x

I wouldn't let money be the deciding factor here.

If you want some time to yourself then take it. If you don't then just send them 4 days a week.

Only you know your DC and what's best for them.

This is my dream! Definitely ok. They will enjoy having the shorter day, plus if you have used half of it to do chores and the other half to chill, they will have a relaxed mum who isn't constantly rushing around trying to do other stuff. Sounds perfect to me.

I would definitely do it and pick them up once all errands done and you can give them 100% attention 😊

If the price is practically the same, why not go for it and just not send them on the fifth day every week. Sometimes send them for a short day so you get a break and get things done, and the other weeks keep them with you?

I would definitely do it. Use that time to get all your jobs done then pick them up a bit early and go for a hot chocolate or ice cream.

Completely agree with Jimdandy.
Use the time to get stuff done so you can then focus on the children when they are with you so they get quality time, not having to do chores and entertain them.
You don’t have to use it every week either.

I don’t work and use child care. No guilt here.

Childcare when work is one thing, very different when not.

My twins will be starting nursery a couple of mornings a week in January and I won’t be at work. I’m doing it for their development, not for me, but given I haven’t had a break for two years I’m sure I’ll appreciate it too

It's fine. I used that day to catch up on sleep quite often due to non sleeping dc

That’s what we do. Me and my husband have Fridays off but kids still go to nursery/school. We think it’s important to have that day just the two of us.

I do it. Ds4 is in preschool 5 days a week and Friday is my day off with no kids.

Sounds good, as long as the kids are ok.
I think 5 days nursery is too much if you can help it, mine do 3 (dw and I work 4 days each).
I love my days alone with them thigh sometimes I would like if they were at nursery...I would be bored at home without them though

Yes I did this, I worked 4 days a week but paid for a full time nursery place (it was the same price as 4 days). It gave me flexibility to change my days round for both business and personal reasons , and meant DH and I could occasionally have an adult lunch somewhere nice.

I would do it. It's will be a great time for catching up on household and self care! Dp and I work full time and we never feel like we have time to ourselves, and we feel like we're constantly battling with the house lol

Also, you don't have to keep them in every single week, but at least their place is reserved!

Yanbu.
You'll get your errands and admin done quicker without them under your feet.

I worked 3 days and the dc's did 4 days nursery. One day to tidy / gym / supermarket was essential.

And if you're ill you can use that one quiet day to rest.

I think it's up to you/what works for your children, but one point is, they might actually find a single day at home quite odd. Weekends are different because presumably you'll both be home with them. My DD is in nursery four afternoons (which is what we can afford), and the one day she isn't in nursery is sometimes a bit awkward because come 1pm she's clearly getting a bit restless and expecting to be there. I could see a case for saying 5 days is just going to let them settle better.