Those with baby/toddler in nursery, which is best please?

[unalllp]

I am going back to work 3 days a week as a lone parent. I have no idea if this will be sustainable for me financially in the long run, but I have been allowed it for the first 10 months. At that point there will be a review and I can go full time again if I want.

I thought Wednesday, Thursday and Friday would be best for nursery, this would avoid being in on a Monday and paying for the bank holidays, and I thought it was better in a block? But maybe not? Work are flexible with which days I do and I just don’t know what is best.

I worry my dd will have to get used to nursery then be home again for four days but I’ve also heard that it’s better to do a block rather than every other day, for example. Any advice welcome!

Dd will be 11 months when she starts

A block is definitely better than every other day. Your reasoning sounds good.

A block will be better for you at work and the child at nursery.

Won’t she forget nursery then the trauma of going starts again? @BertieBotts @Hufflepods

Have you found a nursery you like and have you established which days they can do? We did that before agreeing days at work as round here good nurseries are pretty full and some have a waiting list with parents reserving spaces for babies not yet born!
Its probably nice to get your work done in a block asked good for settling in at nursery however having previously been a single parent I always found it easier to have a day off in between work days to get organised for the next day and to allow the baby to get a proper nap which they didn’t get at nursery. I don’t think it’s one size fits all.

Tues/Weds/Thurs is most likely to avoid all bank holidays and training days as they sometimes fall on Fridays too. Also gives more flexibility for long weekends etc!

My two both did Mon/Tues/Thurs which worked well for us - Weds was a bit of a decompression day.

I think a block is good or if you're worried about the 4 days, maybe Tu, Thu & Fri so it is 3 days instead with the 4th day in the middle?

Mine were eager and ready to go to nursery at 11mo - they are old enough to appreciate the change of environment with lots of toys, activities etc
If you are able to, do some taster sessions (1-2 hours) where you are present for comfort, then do a week of half-days - ideally 12-4pm where lunch starts at drop off and she’s distracted by the food, so no excess tears.

Find out your nurseries bank holiday policy first. Ours don't charge for them. As I don't work BH everyone gets am extended weekend.

Nursery work be a trauma for your child, and if it is it's the wrong one. A block of days will be fine, pick whichever you'd prefer to work.

I worked Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. We both really benefited from having that day off in the middle to spend together. 3 days in a row at nursery was too tiring.

I do M-W and kind of regret it but my partner office day is a Tuesday so it makes sense we are in the area and then use his WFH days to travel and see family
A) we have to take bank holidays off and so my pro rata allowance spends more on BH than my colleague who works W-F I don't need the BH off as my partner gets them too and we don't go anywhere do you traffic and people always wanting to take the following days off but not everyone can
B) the hope was my partner would then use his AL on my NWD and we could do long weekends aways.... Fri and Sat night always more expensive (doh)

You could look at the baby groups/swimming classes you'd like to do any decide around that?

Also our nursery don't charge for BH and shut down periods
Also do you have outside help e.g. from GP do they have days they can help more for when little one is poorly and can't attend nursery so you can still work (my little one was sent home for 1.5days this week due to 2 loose nappys) generally really fine in herself and no issues since so having MIL look after her is a big help so I don't have to keep taking time off work

Nursery is not 'traumatic' - most probably she will love it, especially once she starts recognising her key workers and surroundings.

The block plan you mentioned sounds very good.

We do Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, it works well for us and I think two days in a row is enough for him. Lots of mums have Fridays off so they are often easier to get at nursery, but then you may miss out on meet ups with mum friends. I wanted to work Fridays so I wasn't missing deadline days at work, which are nearly always Fridays. I felt like I'd end up doing lots of unpaid overtime if I wasn't working a Friday, so its worth considering how your work pattern will fit with work needs as well.

I did Mon to Wed (then in time Mon to Thurs) but didn't have bank hols charged, a block is better I think!

Agree with the others that a good nursery should not be a trauma.

It is a bit difficult when you're first settling them in, but that soon passes as they form a bond with their caregiver at nursery, and then it's OK.

She won't forget :) Does she see her dad at all? Or grandparents/aunts/uncles? I bet she doesn't forget them even if it's more than 4 days between visits. It will be the same with nursery AND they make it so fun that they are excited to go (once they have got past the initial separation anxiety, which is hard).