Using two childcare settings - thoughts?

[YfenniChristie]

DS is currently 7mths, we'll be needing childcare for 4 days a weeks from when he's roughly a year old. I realise this is a while off but trying to work out my options.

DH works fairly close to home, roughly 10-20mins away, office based, little to no flexibility of leaving early in case of emergencies.

I'll be doing a mix of WFH and office based - 2 days in office and 2 days at home, but this is not confirmed. However office is roughly 45mins drive away, but flexible if needing to leave early for emergencies etc.

I'm trying to work out if it's worth putting DS into two different childcare settings, one close to home, the other close to my place of work.

Current pros are I can get DS fairly quickly if called for, the childcare setting by my work is likely to be a lot cheaper so slightly lower costs if using 2 settings.

Current cons are paying for two settings, early start for DS (need to be out the house for 7am to get to my place of work), leaves a lot of the running round to me (but I think this would be the case anyway).

Does this sound workable? Has anyone else done this? Should we just stick to one setting? Experiences and comments welcome!

I'd just use the one close to home. I have an hour commute in traffic and wouldn't want to drag DD with me on that. I can get back quicker out of rush hour if there's an emergency. Also if you decide to have a day off you can still use the childcare without the travelling to it.

Also, leaving booking childcare until 5months before going back to work would be cutting it fine where I live. Have you checked they have space for when you need it?

Two lots of nursery bugs and germs circulating...??

I wouldn’t do two settings, just pick one. My DD nursey is 45 mins in good traffic from work, same with DH but it’s close to home. In the event of a pick they get it takes time, that’s life, people work far away.

Also as a previous poster said you’ll be cutting it fine for places, my Dd was on the list before she was born!

I'd just do the one closest to home, it's always going to be convenient.

The work one will be annoying if you want to use childcare on a day off.

The one close to home will also enable her to make friends locally (ease of local play dates etc.) and if you’re staying in the area they are likely to be in the same reception school etc. loads of schools locally to us but all the kids from my son’s setting have all attended the same secondary. It’s been lovely seeing them grow up together and building a friendship group with the parents.

Primary not secondary.

I feel you think you're really premature in thinking about this but actually for an April/May start you are starting to plan this very late indeed.

Another who would say just one.
Also the one close to home - because it makes sense for when you have days off (AL, TOIL, sickness, potentially future maternity leave)...... also because I wouldn't want to be taking a toddler on a commute every day ...... then, in reality, you don't get called out "in an emergency" as a general rule. Nurseries know they are looking after children whilst parents work, if they want you to pick your dc up early, they know that isn't likely to happen instantly and there is likely to be an hour or so for the parent to get to them. In the astonishingly unlikely incidence of a blue light emergency, you dh would just walk out anyway and you (or both of you) would meet at the hospital.

Check pricing as well - most Nurseries I know do a cheaper (per session) price for a full time place than for a shorter week. Most charge per session too rather than per hour, so having your toddler in the car for 90mins per day wouldn't necessarily save you money.

Thanks everyone. There definitely seem to be more cons for using two settings so it sounds like using one closer to home is the best way forward.

For those saying I've left things a bit late, I'm based in South Wales. I've already started putting feelers out to different settings and most reactions have been I've contacted them too far in advance. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I would use the one close to home to save DC having to do the commute with you. I'd also NOT be the one doing all of the drop offs and pick ups, my partner would be doing his fair share too. You're going to make it work alongside your working day, I wouldn't be giving him a pass this before he's even attempted to share the load with you.

I'd just choose one and make it closer to home. No way you want to take a kid on a long drive twice a day.
They won't settle as easily in 2 different settings. Best of with a stable routine every day.

This is a good point.
Also what happens if you change job?

I put my son in the nursery near my work and then changed offices. My son is now in a nursery no where near where I work or live but he's settled so don't want to move him.

@HettieHelvetica Oh, no need to worry there. DH is very hands on and more than willing to do drop offs and pick ups. It's just me trying to make sure we're covering all possibilities.

@Coffeaddict That's a fair point, but in all honesty, it's highly unlikely I'll change job. I'm more likely to be made redundant than willingly leave (and even thats highly unlikely touches wood) 😅

Nothing wrong with 2 settings

but in your case I would choose the one near home

commuting with tired child isn’t fun

child May sleep on way home. Bad !!!

if day off but want to use childcare then have to travel

as gets older May go to school with children shes with in Nursery

Please just use one, whichever is the best. I'm an early Years teacher and it really does impact on the child so much. Three different sets of boundaries and routines for a little one to cope with is a lot. The staffing and the procedures vary much more than you'd think from one setting to another.
Would a childminder be an option?

My toddler has a childminder 2 days a week, she's lovely and very local and he loves being with her. She took him for a few hours a week from a young age so they are very well bonded - if you found someone great you could potentially get your LO settled with them ahead of your return to work? She also takes him out and about whenever weather permits so he's very active with her, which he loves.

From Jan we are going to add the other 3 days in a nursery setting so I can go full-time. So he will have 3 days at nursery - bigger peer group, more structure, more learning resources etc - and 2 days in a small group with lots of 121 time from a very nurturing childminder. Personally, just speaking for my boy, I think this is preferable vs nursery for 5 days.

I think a mix of care can be very beneficial but as PPs have said I'd avoid 2 different large nursery settings and avoid trying to commute with a tired infant! Best of luck x