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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Is one day a week at a nursery enough for a child to feel 'settled'?

16 replies

hackneybird · 05/06/2011 14:16

My DS (19mo) goes to a childminder 2/3 days a week. She doesn't work Fridays, and my work schedule can be unpredictable, so I do sometimes need childcare on a Friday.

I have been thinking about placing him in a nursery on a Friday every week so that I know I always have provision on those days. However, I am concerned that just one day a week won;t be enough for him to feel happy there.

What do you think from experience?

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RitaMorgan · 05/06/2011 14:19

I think it depends on the child, but generally it's harder for them to settle with just one day. Many nurseries insist on at least 2 half days.

cat64 · 05/06/2011 14:20

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bluebobbin · 05/06/2011 14:21

I would say generally, no. However, some children do 1 day a week perfectly fine. If your DS is used to socialising at the CM's, he might be fine.

eurycantha · 05/06/2011 15:34

I work at my present job with twins and their brother,before they started school the children had me three days a week their mother at home one day and went to a nursery one day a week from 8 to 6.they all seemed to manage fine enjoying the nursery and making lots of friends and enjoying the activities.

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/06/2011 22:35

generally best to try and do 2 days a week at nursery and spilt days if possible so that child gets used to going, being away and returning iyswim - esp at his age

littleducks · 05/06/2011 22:38

IME one day a week doesnt work, but i think you can sometimes cut down to one day a week ok once a child has settled after attending more regularly

Grabaspoon · 05/06/2011 22:41

As an ex room leader to the 1-2 age I would say 2 mornings/afternoons a week is the best 1 full day a weeks is hard for the child - too long between sessions so takes them longer to settle and get used to the routine etc.

I used to hate Tuesdays as that was the day I had 5 1-day-a-weekers plus some part timers and it was the worst as they took forever to settle :( I loved the children and gave them all as much attention as possible but I felt for the first couple of weeks that they had forgotten the nursery etc in the 6 days since their last visit :(

eastmidlandsnightnanny · 06/06/2011 11:29

I am planning to send my baby 1 day a week from sept to nursery he will have just turned one he has just started with a childminder so would have done 3 days a week with her for over 3mths and was thinking it would be ok as he has been used to being left

Original poster

hackneybird · 06/07/2011 22:44

Thanks for your advice everyone x

OP posts:

Numberfour · 07/07/2011 17:08

I have had two different children come to me one day a week each and they were both fine. I firmly believe that it dependson the child.

minderjinx · 08/07/2011 06:43

Have you checked with local nurseries that they would be willing to offer you that option? I had a Mum in a similar position recently - wanting to do an extra day on Fridays, when I did not have a place. She tried all the local nurseries and all said they would not take a one year old for one day a week as they did not think a child that age would settle (it wasn't that they were full - all would have had him two days or more). In the end they decided to get a nanny.

For what it's worth, I think it depends entirely on the child whether they would find it hard - I have had plenty of little ones myself for just one day and they have been fine.

purple15 · 08/07/2011 20:26

Hi I have run a nursery for the past 11 years. Over the years the children who came for 1 day, never settled. Now we do a minimum of 2 days and we have had no problems. If they just came on fridays, it is such a long time until the following friday and they have to settle in once again.

wompoopigeon · 08/07/2011 20:32

My DD did not settle when at nursery one day a week. In fact, she struggled with two (mon and tue, would have been better if they had been spread I suspect) and is really happiest now she goes three days.
I would never rule it out as I know that there will always be children for whom it works well, but not in my personal experience.

Londonmumsw · 09/07/2011 18:38

Yes, it can be done. One full day a week works fine for us! Dont worry, children adapt very quickly! good luck.

Grumpla · 09/07/2011 18:55

Could you book him in for one day a week but do a couple of additional days in the first few weeks, so that he has more of a chance to get used to it? Summer holidays so nursery might have spare capacity to do so.

My DS does 2 days a week and loves it.

earshot · 09/07/2011 19:12

DS went 1 day a week to nursery and 2 days to a CM from 8 months and was fine at nursery. He prob wailed slightly more at the nursery drop off but once we were out of sight had no problems settling. it sounds though like you might have even less than 1 day a week if you don't need Friday childcare all the time and this might make it a bit harder re settling. I know after holidays/bank holidays (our nursery day was Monday) going back to nursery was definitely tougher for DS.

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