How many days would you send your child to preschool?

[GreenSpace00]

My daughter is 3 and gets 30 funded hours. I am due to be on maternity leave from September and she has a place in a local term time nursery which ones 9-3.

How many days would you send her?

My youngest did 15 hours at that age because he enjoyed it and he was lonely while his brothers were at school. The others always had either a younger or older sibling at home so they did less hours.

We only had/have 15 hours but:

DD7 started when she was 3. Did 3 morning sessions for a few months, then added another. For the last couple of terms she did 3 morning sessions and one full day, with Friday off. The full day (Wednesday, 8:45 - 2:45) was her favourite! She was tired on that day, though. I was pregnant with DS about halfway through her time at preschool and really relished those few hours!

DS3 started when he was 2.5 (this Jan). He did 2 mornings and 1 afternoon, then it got changed (by them due to numbers and splitting into bubbles) to 2 afternoons and 1 morning. By the end of term (just turned 3) he was doing 1 morning and 3 afternoons. In September he'll be eligible for 15hrs so we're adding another session and he'll do 1 morning, 2 afternoons and one full day (Friday), with Wednesday off. If he really struggles we'll cut the full day and add it back in when he's older.

On the day(s) off I took DD/take DS to toddler group, so slightly less exciting but still out and seeing other kids.

Depends on the setting!

Some will only offer places for the full hours especially if they have a waiting list!

I think there's something in that funding that says children need to attend so many sessions for the setting to still receive funding,

So talk to the preschool before making any decisions!

I would do three days. I had gone back to work but this is what I did with mine and was a perfect balance. Three days at pre school, one with me and one with my husband.

I'd do 3 and use those days to rest, do things with baby, errands and appts and then the other couple days for family outings she'd enjoy!

I’d do three days. Especially if you can get Tues, We’d, Thur. gives a good block of time in that routine book ended with a couple of days at home plus the weekend

@Bunnycat101

I’d do 3 or 4 days in those circs. I think nursery is so beneficial for 3 year olds I’d definitely be making use of it. It is pretty rubbish for them being stuck at home while you master life with a newborn. But it is nice to make use of having her at home while you’re around to have fun days out etc so I wouldn’t want full time even if you’re entitled to the hours.

That is exactly what I would do if I was the op.

My ds was due to do 5 mornings a week at playschool. Then covid. So nothing for 6 months.

And then he was in full time school nursery at 3, he was one of the older ones but there were many just turned 3 and they have all thrived.

So whatever suits you really!