Nursery for 1 day a week - would it be confusing for a baby?

[jumpjockey]

DD is a December baby but the majority of the nurseries we're looking at say they fill most of their spots in August/September, once the school term starts. One person suggested putting DD in for 1 day a week from Sept/Oct so that we've got a 'foot on the ladder' and then increase the number of days to probably three once I go back to work part time in January.

Would going to nursery for just one day a week be really confusing/unsettling for a baby? She'd be about 10 months. Or would it be like the 'settling in' time that a lot of nurseries seem to recommend anyway?

Of course we can't say at this stage how sociable she'll be, so very hard to tell. Has anyone found one day either worked really well or really badly? Any stories very welcome!

TBH, from my observations of other children (DS has always been full time), they find one day a week very hard - they've almost forgotten about nursery each week.

How about 2 mornings a week instead ? Maybe Tuesday and Thursday so that there isn't too big a gap between the sessions. Also means you start getting in the groove of getting out in the morning

i put my twins in nursery one day a week at three months old and they have now been going for a year - still one day a week. They have never had a problem settling there and generally seem very happy there. I think though that it was easier because they were so young when they started.

DS1 started 2 half days a week at 18 months and also settled very quickly. He then went to 3 half days a week after a few months and eventually two full days.

a lot of nurseries wont accept 1 day a week, because if they are closed, or the child is poorly and misses a week then the 2 or 3 week gap between sessions is too much?

mine all found one day a week - with either childminder or nursery - extremely difficult. Two has been the best for all of them

It was one of the nurseries who advised just the one day Unfortunately they all have different vacancy patterns (eg you can only do full days but as many as you like, or you have to be there for 5 days a week but whether am, pm or all day is up to you) and I've got to work out how to fit it with my work pattern when going back. All the nurseries are oversubscribed so we'd really fit in with whatever they were able to offer in order to get into the one we like best.

But sounds like one full day not ideal. Good point about the mornings for getting back into the feel of it! I guess we could try signing up for two, it's just that I don't want to 'give her up' before going back to work - want to make the most of mat leave as she's only young once.

Gah! It's all so difficult... [feeble new mum]

agree with those who say one day a week can be very difficult. Not enough for the child to be familiar with it all. Can you try for 2?

DS1 has been in nursery one day a week since he was 5 months old and i've never had any problems at all. he loves it, enjoys the company and the activities and its a break for both of us. will be starting DS2 one day a week from beginning of may to get him ready for me going back to work at the end of may.

i understand what others have said about their DC not remembering it one week to the next but i have never found this. DS1 has never cried or been clingy and although is pleased to see me, will carry on playing and doesnt want to leave his friends.