And maybe a bit immoral to use two different childcare settings at the moment?

[Thefifthbeatle]

I've been really, really cautious about covid. We haven't been to cafes or pubs, or gone abroad, and we generally still avoid playgrounds and indoor children's groups. I'm aware that there are some people going out to work every day who have no choice and I haven't wanted to add to the problem.

DD (3) is meant to be moving to a new nursery next September, in preparation for starting school. The nursery are recommending that we start to phase her in now, just doing a day or two a week, alongside her existing nursery. Both settings are lovely, in very different ways, and I know she would get a huge amount out of doing two days in one and two days in the other. The covid risk to us is no greater (because the new setting is tiny - she would quite possibly be exposed to fewer new kids overall) and the risk to the kids in the first (large) setting is probably not much greater (because of the days that they each do, and how much overlap there is). However, I would potentially be taking germs from the larger current setting to the smaller new setting. DH is keen to follow the recommendation of the new nursery and do two days in each, but it feels a bit uncomfortable at the moment. WWYD? Are other people using more than one childcare setting?

You are not meant to be mixing 'bubbles'. The nursery should not allow it as part of their covid policy.

We’re not allowed to mix settings here.

Ours are also not allowing mixing so no children in more than one setting

The guidance states where possible you should only use one setting, and a measured should be put in place to avoid risk. (No idea what they could be) we have told our parents at work that children can only go to one setting.

It's just not allowed under govt guidelines so your question is moot.

I’m using a mix of a childminder and after school club for my two. Is there official guidance on not doing this or is just a general “you shouldn’t be” feeling?

School, childminder and ASC all know btw.

From the guidance:

Parents and carers should be encouraged to limit the number of settings their child attends, ideally ensuring their child only attends the same setting consistently. This should also be the same for staff.

There may be situations where a child needs to attend more than one setting, for example, children attending a childminder before their nursery opens so that their parent or carer may go to work.

Thanks very much - that solves that one!

I'd think the new nursery are having a laugh and just trying to fill their spaces. No child needs nearly a year of 1 or 2 days a week to get them used to the idea of going to a new nursery.

A couple of sessions in June/July and she'll be fine. Or even August if it's a year round nursery.

Or is it that you want/need her to do 4 days anyway and the question is just whether she should stay doing 4 days at current nursery or move to 2 days at current and 2 days at new one. If this is the case then I'd be hard pushed to justify 2 different settings at the moment, it's unnecessary mixing and totally avoidable.

I wouldn't care about the covid implications personally but I do think it's a foolish idea regardless. Unless I've read this wrong the new nursery wants a settling in period of a year?! That's daft and unnecessary- are they just looking for your money? Secondly, young children (generally) so much better with continuity of care and can be more prone to upset when there are lots of different settings/different rules to follow. So I don't think it would do your daughter any good to have to follow three sets of rules/routines in a given week (both nursery's and yours at home).

Just move her to the new nursery for four days if possible or leave her be until next year. I think two days in each is a silly, pointless endeavor.

@musicalfrog

It's just not allowed under govt guidelines so your question is moot.

That’s not true though. The guidance recognises that in certain circumstances it might not be possible to stick to one setting

How does it work with things like swimming/dance etc? Or do they not count as settings?

I think covid rules wise it must be allowable - my almost 3 year old is moving up a room at daycare and the new room is shared with kids who attend an offsite nursery (I just moved back to Uk so not sure how it works exactly but the way I understand it is that some kids who are maybe 4 go to a nursery school for their free hours and then attend the creche the rest of the time). It does bother me that his 'bubble' will be increased to include the three nursery schools those kids attend.

We are all ‘mixing bubbles!’ I go to work and teach up to 60 kids a day. My 2 eldest dc are in different classes of 30 kids all day. We all come home.

My youngest 2 attend 2 daycare settings. I don’t see this as the problem!

Thanks very much, everyone. I've responded to them explaining that we'll stay where we are for this year.

You do know that the new nursery is just trying to get some money out of you before you intended to go there full time?!
No one needs to do half and half for the best part of a year to 'settle in'. They're just low on funds.

Good decision.

I think they're looking at their own numbers, not what's best for DD & that would concern me.

Some kids transition better with a period of blending, others with an end of the old & a start of the new. In 10/11 months time you'll have a much better idea of what will suit DD

Unless you have local guidelines saying otherwise the Govt 'rules' are a bit fuzzy around the edges. But actually common sense says it's not a good idea because you're mixing with different people AND if things get bad over winter 'one childcare' setting could be brought in and then you'd be screwed (unless they have enough spaces, which is unlikely)

Either move to the new nursery or stick with the old one.
There’s absolutely no need for you to use two settings and it doesn’t benefit your child

The exceptions to the guidance about one setting are for situations like working parents needing children to attend wraparound care, or children with additional needs attending a few sessions at a specialist centre.

Them thinking she needs a year to settle in would worry me! Sounds like they just want to fill places.

They’re just trying to fill their spaces. Cheeky to dress it up as best for your dd!

Bums on seats. I'd worry about the financial viability of the nursery

Good choice OP.
I also think the second setting is being ridiculous - unless your child has particular SEN, no child needs a year long introduction to a new setting. I agree that they’re trying to fill up their places.

I wouldn't be worrying about her settling in. My ds finished one creche at 2.5 then started Montessori at 3 and 3 months in the September, finished up with Covid in March and started a completely new setting 4 and 3 months and he was grand. I think going to two places could actually be confusing and what if she way preferred one? You've defo made the right choice