Part time nursery + nanny or full time nursery?

[Cuppaqueen]

Hi all, I'm returning to work full time soon for the first time since my son was born (he's 21 months). He currently attends a great nursery part time 3 mornings per week where he has a strong relationship with class teacher and assistants. Otherwise he's only ever been looked after by me or DH. I am going to move him up to 5 days per week at nursery but I am not sure what's best re the afternoons. I live abroad so no family nearby but domestic help readily available. I basically have two options:

1. full time nursery till 4pm (latest they do) and then get a housekeeper part-time say 3-6pm with part of her duties to collect him and mind him till my husband or I get home around 5pm (so only an hour or so)

2. keep nursery part-time and get a housekeeper-cum-nanny for a full day, who will collect him around 12.30pm, put him down for his nap (possibly tricky till he gets to know her) 1.30-3pm ish, and then mind him till we get home

He does enjoy nursery but I worry 8-4pm is a long day for such a little boy, and also if he'll sleep well in a makeshift cot in the classroom rather than his own bed. On the plus side, he already has a great bond with his carers there.

If we go nanny route, this gives us more flexibility especially if he is unwell, but I wonder if being at home he will notice more that I am not there. Also, how long will it take for him to get used to a new carer? I can do a trial week before I start but that's about it.

Any advice welcome, especially if you've been in a similar position with a toddler.

My daughter is 20 months at the moment and we have been discussing childcare options for the future. She’s currently with a childminder for the full day as we work full time. However when she turns 3 and we’re entitled to our 30 hours free childcare for her we will be putting her into nursery during the morning (so she gets all the benefits from that) and a childminder for the afternoon until she gets picked up (the idea being she has a highly stimulating possibly structured experience in the morning and more of an ‘at home’ relaxing experience in the afternoon). I work in a nursery and find full days for a lot of children to be a lot to handle, even when they’re 3+

How easy is it to recruit a housekeeper/nanny in your area? People tend to be either good at housekeeping or good at childcare, so finding someone good at both can be tricky.

At the moment they nap in early afternoon, that will get dropped at some point, so consider what you need when they no longer nap.

Thanks @MaryH90 Good to hear the perspective of someone who works in childcare

@nannynick To be honest, my priority is someone who enjoys looking after a toddler. I'm not super exacting when it comes to housework! My son is pretty easy to look after now though - one nap, the odd nappy change and otherwise play and keep an eye on him. He will get a lot of stimulation/ structured teaching at nursery and from me at weekends etc so I am not expecting the nanny to be devising anything special to entertain him.