Which is better, fewer longer days or more shorter days?

[Fluffsmum]

Re nursery. Work have declined my request for reduced hours so I'll be going back full time. They have offered compressed hours, which I am considering. So which do you think is better - 5 days in nursery 8.20-4.40 or 4 days 7.30-5.45 and a day at week with mum?

I think it depends on whether the long day will exhaust you and you'll get good value from the day off together. I'd go for compressed with those hours.

working 5 days you won't get enough time before/after for quality time and you'll be presumably be doing tea so not much quality time.

Well I would personally say the longer days and a day at home with you

For the compressed hours what time will you need to do drop off and is nursery open that early?

Rookiemere those are the drop off/ pick up times. I'd be working either 7.45-5.30 or 8.30-4.30

Do compressed hours. Then at least you get one day a week with your child.

Sorry should add my DP works compressed hours so he has our LO 2 days a week.

The kids will be 4 (not at school yet) and 14 months when I go back to work.

I work compressed hours with Wednesday off. The longer days in work are tiring but I am used to it now and my day off with my baby is so lovely.

Compressed for me personally. It reduces the ‘dead’ commute time you’re paying for childcare and gives you a full day to play with for classes/groups, one off events and housework.

Those aren’t terrible hours for childcare either, my dd does till 6.30 (and had done since she was teeny) three days a week but the pay off is that we literally just do bathtime and a bit of playing when we get home because her tea is sorted at the CM’s.

Forgot to add that one full day also gives you some negotiation room to make up hours instead of taking a/l for sickness or other appointments which can come in handy.

Compressed better when dc pre school. More days when dc at school as you get more time with them before/ after school.

Wow that's a hell of a lot of time to leave a little one for..

so the consensus is compressed. That's what I was thinking.

Basil90 so your suggestion is...

Fewer longer

4days at nursery. So fewer longer

Fewer but longer days but I do think both options are very unfair for your baby

Definitely compressed!

But those are the options Basil I'm not SAHM material. I did want to do reduced hours but work won't accept that.

I say go for the compressed hrs. I do compressed hours, and love the day off. Also as a PP has said travelling earlier / later reduces your commuting time.

Hmm tricky dilemma.

Having done this pick up 4 days a week - pick up at 545 is tricky as your 14 mo will likely nap on way home (unless walking (obvs) but I think the day at home really is great to have with your you get one.

The 4yo would probably do better with the shorter day 5 days a week but they won't be there for much longer.

How is it all going to work when your 4yo starts school?

The second option.

From a purely financial standpoint, four days is better as you have costs for only four commutes and four days at nursery.

Well basil how do you think parents go to work?

Can you appeal your work's decision?