Best for DC's - 3 full days at nursery or 5 mornings? (3.5 and 2 yrs old)

[pipkin35]

Have posted this elsewhere too but would like to have opinions/thoughts, please before I rush into making changes.

Currently both kids do 3 full days, considering changing this for the following reasons:

1. 3.5 yr old not very 'active'. Refusing to walk anywhere, wanting to just watch TV all day. At nursery they say he wanders around not really focussing on anything and unable to play alone yet.
   Thinking if he has less time there but more frequently, it might be better for him?

2. 3.5 yr old doesn't goes to school until 2012 but due to changes at work thought I'd try and request the 5 mornings (9-1pm) before I won't be allowed it. Might get my 3.5 yr old 'into' the routine and idea of this regularity before he starts school when it will be the same or very similar.

3. 2 yr old starting to drop daytime nap, so hoping that when I pick them up at 1pm, we'll be home by 1.30pm and then can have a nice afternoon doing stuff altogether.

4. Food issues - will be happier knowing 5 days a week they've had a 'proper' hot lunch!

My job doesn't really factor into it since I do admin so no real issues about expectations...

It's so hard to know what to do and only you can make that judgement as you're with your dc. My dd is 3 and goes 4 1/2 days a week but in September I'll be on mat leave so she's only going to do the 15 hours I get free. I was thinking 3 mornings but they only have space for 2 full days. I'm still trying to decide whether to push for the mornings if a space comes up. So confusing. (sorry that's not much help).

I think I would be very concerned about a 3.5 year old who didn't want to be active and isn't focussing or playing on his own - why are they letting him "wander" rather than engaging him in an activity? Is it when he's tired or all the time?

I'm also puzzled about you being "happier knowing 5 days a week they've had a 'proper' hot lunch!" - what are you feeding him?

I would keep them at 3 full days because I think the pre school years are a very short and precious time and I think it is lovely for them to have memories of lovely long days and outings with mum etc. Your ability to take them places etc is lessened if you only have them afternoons, imo.

I take it they eat better at nursery which is why you mention the lunch thing? I personally wouldn't worry about that at all, because they're not toddlers forever and assuming that you are not bonkers about it their eating will regulate itself and improve over time anyway.

It does sound very unusual for a 3 yr old to be so inactive - have nursery mentioned it as a concern? Are you worried?