What time is best???

[britneyisfree]

Just about to apply for nursery for my two year old.

Are mornings or afternoons better? I've got 15 hours.

I was thinking mornings but often the afternoons feel so long.... and then I could still do groups with her in the morning?

But she often sleeps for ages in the afternoon.

Hmmmmn. AIBU to ask you what worked best for you?

Go for mornings. She’ll be more awake and full of energy. She will get more out of the experience.

Always had afternoons... Or napping after a morning session would make for horrendous bedtimes!!

Yeah. I guess she'll be in her happy time and then she can nap afterwards if she's tired and then we can spend time together

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

Always had afternoons... Or napping after a morning session would make for horrendous bedtimes!!

Ohhh. Didn't think of that!

Do you work?

What are her sleep patterns now?

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

Do you work?

What are her sleep patterns now?

No. I've been at home with her 24/7. She's starting FEET hours with a view to me getting back into work and her going more often once I start.

She naps when she feels like it.
She won't usually nap after 3. All depends on how active the morning has been for.

I'm hoping the nursery hours will also help with routine.

I chose afternoons as I hate rushing out first thing in the mornings and preferred to take my time.

When I put my child into the 15 hrs a week I needed to do 4 mornings and one afternoon.

The afternoon was always the worst session for her because she'd been with me all morning and didn't want to go at that point. Plus it was quieter with less chance if her friends being in for the whole session.
The morning drop offs were always more fun and we could still do stuff in the afternoon.

If you're worried about naps then send her in the morning and hope to have more control over them yourself. If you send her in the nursery will let her nap if she's snoozy whereas you could power through at home.

What are the hours likely to be when you go back to work? Or would they be whole days? I would go mornings personally as then you get use to getting up and going for the start of the session like when you go to work.

And if she goes in the morning you don't need to pay for morning groups so save money

My first I did mornings, hated it because all the groups were in the mornings and she was always tired when she got home so we did nothing. Second did afternoons, I loved that, we did playgroups 2 mornings a week, swimming 1 and then lunch together and then off she went while I whizzed round and caught up.

We chose extended hours for our two so they go 11 hours a week for 51 weeks a year and do 9.30-3 on 2 days a week. It means they get a good few hours in one go (and I have time to do things while they’re there!) and get to participate in social activities such as eating lunch with everyone which encourages them to be more adventurous in the foods they eat.

Mornings worker better for us with DS1 when he got 15 hours. DS2 gets 30 and after a few weeks he dropped his nap.

I’d favour mornings for 15 hours. 11.30 home, lunch, nap bed around 8.30 👍🏽

@Baaaa

What are the hours likely to be when you go back to work? Or would they be whole days? I would go mornings personally as then you get use to getting up and going for the start of the session like when you go to work.

I honestly don't know yet. I always worked full time before.

@Baaaa yes I thought that but things like library group and meeting other mums would be out then

Advantages and disadvantages to both it seems. I wonder if maybe we can mix it up and then see what works but I doubt the nursery will have time for all that chopping and changing

Maybe do 1 morning and 1 afternoon?

I think mornings will be better for your child as they will get more out of it when they are awake and not tired.

We had great mornings!! Ds 7 still remembers breakfast at the cafe on a Tuesday and market morning on Thursday! I got the house tidy for after school finished! Worked well for us!!