To wonder what time your pick your child up from childcare

[Azzzz]

If you didn’t need the childcare? Setting open 730-630.

3:30 ish. But drop off 9:30

For the years I worked flexible hours I’d quite often drop them a bit later and pick up a bit earlier, say 9-4/4.15 ish, then when I changed roles and lost some flexibility it went to more like 8.30/8.45 to 5.15/5.30

Honestly it made very little difference to them, by that time they were 5/6 so they were super happy playing with friends and enjoying themselves.

They like it when I occasionally pick them up a bit earlier but they don’t ever moan about the time I do come. I really wouldn’t sweat it, if it helps you to be a better mum by having that extra hour to yourself, don’t feel guilty! I am a grumpy twat without my space, which undoubtedly it worse for the kids!

Our nursery is open 7:30-5:30 however kids aren’t allowed to be there for more than 8 hours due to their wellbeing (ages 1-5)

How does that work for working parents? Given that most office jobs are 8 hours?

We do 8:30 - 4:40ish. That's the sweet spot for us, because any earlier than that and he doesn't want to come home yet so he can have tea with his friends, and any later and we have difficult evenings because he's tired but doesn't get enough time with us to decompress before bedtime.

It sounds like a bit earlier might be better for you for a while, if you're having tough evenings. Ours are MUCH nicer if we've got him on time. I couldn't get there until 5:30 yesterday and it was hard work!

If I was you, I'd collect at 3:30 for a bit and see how that goes.

Parents who work from home pick up and continue working; grandparents or Nannie’s/ babysitters pick up sometimes; parents split the drop offs / pick ups as they arrange with their work; the sahparent picks up/ drops off. These are the scenarios I’m aware of.

My son didn’t go into nursery until he was 4 and drop/pickup was 9-12 Monday to Friday and then reception he has been on 9-4 most days (2 days are 9-5 due to clubs/music lesson).

Hmm. That seems spectacularly unhelpful! You can have juuust enough childcare to cover working hours, but not enough to actually work.

I understand this. Sitting in various settling in/checking a nursery out, I felt for the really young kids being there for that long. I folded and stayed home and built up a career from home. Seeing him settle at 4 was perfect.

You pick them up as early as you can so you can spend precious time with them x

Ds is 3 and goes 3 full days. He gets dropped off 8/8.30 and is in till around 3.30 as my mum is able to pick up eldest from school so she just gets him too. But if my mum is ill or away on holiday we pick him up around 5.15

I could never leave my child from 07:30-18:30.

i pay for 07:30-16:30 4 days a week but I now work till 1pm. I do abit of exercise go food shopping do the house work all the things she would make harder and then go and get her between 3-4 because I can. I wouldn’t dream of leaving her there all day like that. It wouldn’t feel right as her mum.

I don't understand what you mean.

I could never leave my child from 07:30-18:30.

Well that's nice for you.
Given a completely free choice, I don't suppose many parents would, but surely you understand that people are all living different circumstances.

I have to admit I did a double take with that because a typical working day is eight hours so standard 9-5 if you like. So if you start work at 9, and end at 5 how do you get childcare unless the nursery is on the same site as your workplace?

DD is in for 3 days from 9-4.30pm. She really loves the meals they serve at 4pm, otherwise I'd collect a bit earlier! I'm a sahm so I just sent her from age 2 for early years education. The setting is open 7am-6pm and we pay the same amount as if she was there all day.

Where is this nursery?

Personally I think it's ridiculous to say such a thing and I'd remove my child from the setting that couldn't provide the correct developmental stimulation to my child and judged me for being a professional

@Lenor that's your experience. In my experience my 23 month old has a dance party with me after nursery. She attends 8am-5/530pm.

Her setting is small and nurturing. Given how active she is during the week and on weekdays (we do gyny, swimming , parks etc) I'd say she's thriving . Rather than kids I'm nursery it's the ones at home who aren't being appropriately stimulated that I feel sorry for. You can spot them a mile off because when they do get out they are pushing, unable to share and imho semi feral. Their parents even admit it's because the kids don't attend nursery and/or only attend classes where the parent is so are only used to one on one attention (only child) or fight for attention (multiple children with overwhelmed sahp short on funds so can't get out with the kids often.

This is what I see /hear.

Whatever time suits you as a family, obviously if my child got super upset at 4.10 each day and able to pick up before then I would, however if they’re happy and I’ve got jobs to do (always) or just want a rest then as long as collect them before finish time ai don’t see a problem

How does this even work with being a working parent?? The standard working day plus commute is 9-10 hours?

Partner drops off between 8.
8-8.30 and I pick up between 4.30-5

I went to after school club when I was a child. My dad would often be able to pick me up earlier than usual and I'd shoo him away because I wanted to stay and play with my friends. He'd go home for an hour and then come get me later.

My son is in nursery and I work freelance. I only work 2 days a week but I still send him in for 3. He loves nursery and I love a day to myself.

@Louis44 I think your quote was for @Lenor not me.

She is the one saying her child attends a nursery where you can't stay for more than 8hrs

But if you're at work, surely you do need it?