Nursery now or after 2?

[Ditablue]

Hi everyone - I posted this in Parenting and just wandered if I would get a few more responses here.
DD1 is currently 18months old and DD2 is due end of July, so there will be a 21 month gap between them. DD1 is at home with me all week - we go to a music class once a week and various playdates but I want her to get more stimulation especially when the new baby arrives. I want to send DD1 to nursery for 2 half days a week starting when she is 2. DD2 will have been around for a couple of months so I'm hoping DD1 will have gotten used to her sister and might look forward to some extra stimulation. I'm worried about a couple of things: Will DD1 feel ditched if I start her at nursery after DD2 arrives? Will she feel like mummy is neglecting her? I can't really afford to send her before she turns 2 as the nursery I have my heart set on offers cheaper places when the child is 2 so more affordable. Would it be better for DD1 to start at nursery before DD2 arrives to make sure any feelings of neglect aren't an issue or am I overthinking it? WWYD or have done in the past - please reassure me that I'm not going to damage my PFB and put this nervous mama's fears to rest.

If you feel you need to put your soon to be 21 month old into nursery then I would do it before baby is due. Unfortunately, you will be paying more but to do it after baby is born would be a lot harder, emotionally for daughter and for you (sorry)!

You've also got to think about how you will cope with a newborn and getting your daughter to nursery in the morning. Your daughter will take time (at 18 months anyway) to settle in to a nursery so doing this all with a newborn in tow will be 10 times harder.

You will have to decide but at 21 months your daughter will be happy and excited to stay at home and help you.

I kept my 2.4 year old at home with me when I had her younger sister and would not have changed that for anything. They are the best of friends now and with their older brother.