Which day to have off

[Sunshine6195102]

I am due to go on maternity leave in November and am thinking perhaps from the new year I will take my toddler out of nursery one or two days a week to spend with the baby and I. Out of interest does it make a difference if I do a Monday or not, i.e. because of bank holidays? Thanks

Yes! Depending on your contract it often works better to not work a Monday. Because then they owe you a percentage of your bank holidays, which you can take as leave at a time of your choosing.

Wednesday is a good day. I know lots who took that day and I think it was the best option.

Mondays are a good day to have off, because you should end up better off from bank holidays, but check how your company deals with bank holidays for part timers.

If you leave toddler in nursery on Mondays it often doesn't make financial sense (if you have a choice of days). Many settings still charge for bank holidays despite the fact they’re closed. I would say most nurseries and pre-schools do and a lot of childminders still charge.

Is your child in 5 days just now. If so stick to routine as you may not get the dropped day back if you need it after maternity leave. Also a normal routine for children after new baby is essential. But if you need to drop a day Monday is the best if they allow it as filling a place for a day is hard

I agree with PP Wednesday is the best weekday to have him off, half way through the week so gives your toddler a break. No bank holidays to sort out!

Wednesday as a midweek break. Mondays you often have to pay for childcare despite it being closed which I think works out of got full timers but costs part timers proportionally more.

Depends on your emoloyer/nursery.

I don't work Mondays or Fridays. Works really well. I get bank holidays as extra days so still get plenty of holiday and nursery only charges me if bank holidays / inset days fall on the contracted days, which usually they don't.

I love my 4 day weekends and would hate a mid-week day off. I'd be worrying about work. Nice to get three full days to focus on work and then completely switch off and focus on family life.

Don’t work a Monday. You’ll still get your BH Mon off but won’t have to use a days leave to do it, leaving you more choice where to use the rest.

Would you not stop childcare for your toddler and have both children at home for the duration of maternity leave?

Generally not working on a Monday if part time is more favourable for leave I find. In terms of nursery too if your child is in that day you will be paying for more days when they are closed as at least 4/8 bank holidays are always Mondays. Having said that so many nurseries now are changing rules on attendance (eg you must have a Monday or a Friday, full days only no half days, stretched funding) it’s worth checking the individual nursery rules.

Something else to consider - if you are taking your older child out of nursery and if this is a temporary thing while you are off on mat leave can you get them back in later if you are returning to work or will you lose your day? It might be easier to just take them out on ad hoc days and also not having to deal with two kids alone - it’s a lot sometimes with a newborn.