Mixing childminder and nursery?

[theinterest]

After a bit of reassurance that this sounds like it would be okay for my DD2.

She has been going to a childminder two days a week since she was 12 months (non consecutive days) and loves it there. Unfortunately the childminder is full the other days to I can’t increase days.

I’m due with my second baby soon and don’t want her to feel pushed out or bored being stuck at home with me and baby 3 days a week as she’s loves being out and about and is a very active toddler. There is a forest school nursery up the road which has availability for the other three mornings a week after half term (3 hours each day term time only) and I am thinking of sending her there so she can have a few hours playing away from the baby each day.

I never planned on using childcare every day and feel quite guilty about it. Has anyone got experience of their little ones attending two different settings a week and it working well?

Thanks!

You don’t get this time back. Keep her with you and her new sibling?

It sounds great! I'm sure she'll have a lovely time. You can always stop if it doesn't work

Both of mine had two settings (not full-time in total) at that age. Maybe just try it , 3 hours a day is not long you’ll still have plenty of time with her

You don’t want her to feel pushed out so you are sending her away to nursery for 3 extra mornings a week while you spend time with her new sibling…

Why would you feel guilty about your little girl having fun with friends at forest school nursery, I think it would be ideal for everyone.
Know a family who have just about the same set up, two days with a childminder and three mornings at nursery and it's worked brilliantly, the dd has made lots of friends and actually the mother has too from meeting other parents at drop off and pick up times.

It’s 3 hours it’s not full days. It’s a fun forest school. She can run around get her energy out and then have quiet afternoon quality with you and you don’t have to feel guilty or pressured to be out and active or setting up activities at home for her.

I see it as the best of both worlds.

Thank you :)

Sitting in with a new baby in the winter is really dull for an active toddler.

My SIL did this, she worked 4 days a week and my nephew, from 5 months old, went to 4 different places a week, 5 if you count their own home as well. She did 2 different child minders (because of availability), a nursery (because she wanted a foot in the door for the free hours when he was older) and her MIL the last day, the. Obviously herself when she wasn’t working.
I have to say I did feel bad for the little one, he must’ve been confused although at the same time maybe not at 5 months.
I do think it’s better to have children in 1 setting but then again 2 wouldn’t be so bad.

I think she would enjoy spending time with mum and sibling on the other days. She’s only little. If you think you won’t be able to cope with two then it is what it is but from a toddler point of view, it would be much better for her to have that time with you.

Why would she need a foot in the door for funding? Unless your in Scotland she could use it at the childminders.

I wouldn't send her somewhere new until she's used to the new baby otherwise she may feel pushed out. New places are a transition in itself and hard deal with. Having a new baby is a major adjustment so I wouldn't do two at once.