Have you changed childcare after a second child?

[ELW85]

Hi all

So we have a beautiful DS aged nearly 14 months and I’m in the early stages of pregnancy with #2.
DS is in nursery 4 days a week now, but I’ve no idea what to do when #2 arrives and I’m on Mat leave.
Do I keep DS in nursery? Do I take him out?
Is this a stupid question?!
I’d not like to disrupt DS’ routine and I think nursery has been amazing for him but do people ‘typically’ take their children out of childcare when they’re on Mat leave? Any advice and insight is greatly appreciated!

I know lots of people that just dropped down a day or two, so a nice happy medium. I can’t imagine having a toddler and a newborn all day every day would be any fun, and it wouldn’t give you much time to go to baby classes with your 2nd.

Personally, if money were no object, I’d leave them in for the 4 days. But due to cost, 2-3 seems a reasonable compromise.

@FullLaundryBasket - ah that makes sense! I’m the main wage earner so Mat leave is always going to be a strategic mission for me.
My mother is semi-retired now so actually she might be able to help when I have them both if lockdown continues to ease. Thanks for the insight!

Many people reduce days but don’t stop completely, depending on finances. My plan was to reduce nursery days by one day but I had a baby during the first lockdown so actually had both at home full time. As soon as my older child could go back to nursery he did and it was great for him to have time with peers and for the baby to have me one to one for a bit

I work in a nursery. Typically parents who are on Mat leave either drop a day or two, or keep the same amount of days but just do shorter hours. Speaking from experience the older children like to spend time with sibling too, and it helps them to bond. But some time in nursery to keep that routine, and to spend 1-1 time with new baby is important too. It may be worth speaking to nursery though because if you drop days they may not be able to give you them again when you go to work, so maybe 4 days but short days?

@BooblePlate - lockdown was tough with a baby eh? Can’t imagine how you survived with both, so I’m in awe of you!

@Bambam2019 - thank you that’s a great point! I’d worry about not getting the days back to be fair so I’ll have a chat with them.
By the time baby 2 is going to nursery, I think DS will only be a couple of months off free hours which will help.

I should point out I’m the main earner which is obviously a huge factor.

There's a 3.5 year gap between my two, and one of the advantages of having a 3+ year gap is the funded childcare. DC1 gets 30 hours a week (still eligible while I'm on maternity leave) which makes it more affordable to keep him in nursery. We have continued to send him 3 days a week (and we do still pay extra to do this, as we spread our funded hours over the year). Honestly it's a godsend, good for him and us!

I'd suggest continuing to send DC1 to nursery for 3 days a week if you can afford it, or 2 days as a minimum. If your mum can help out when you have them both that'll make a difference too.

I've found it particularly tough when we've had a bad night with the baby and DC1 is so loud and energetic all day long - he doesn't nap either! I guess an advantage of a smaller age gap is that the oldest might still nap?!

@NameChange30 thank you! I think I’ll keep him in but maybe do condensed days etc. I’ve done the maths and we’re fine but looking forward to the free hours when he turns 3!