3 long days or 4 short days in nursery?

[Penelope1980]

I am looking into options for DS later this year, and DH and I are trying to decide what would be best - 3 long-ish days in care (8.30 - 5.30), or 4 shorter days (9 - 4ish). In terms of time off work it would be the same and would be the same no of hours in daycare. As he's our pfb we have no experience at all, so was wondering if anyone had any views/advice on what worked for them? He will be 1.

When faced with a similar decision with my pfb a few years ago I went for fewer but longer days. It meant we got 2 whole extra days together during the to do stuff. Although the long days are long she managed (10 months old when she started) and the advantage of having the extra day outweighed it.

I would go for 3 longer days. My dd is with the CM from 7.30-6.30 3 days a week and although I don't see her for very long on the these days I think being able to spend time with her for a whole extra day is worth it. The short hours you suggest wouldn't IMO give you enough extra time with DS to be worth it and would be swallowed up by breakfast and tea time so wouldn't be "quality" time.

3 long days works really well for us.

If you're considering using a nursery, they will generally charge daily rates, irrespective of whether your child is there all day. So, even if both options equate to the same number of hours, you will pay 3 days for the first option and 4 days for the second option. Obviously its not your prime motivation, but finances come into it. I would definitely have 3 long days too so you get 2 full days with him.

DD2s nursery charged full day, half day or half day + lunch, so 4 short days would have been a very expensive option.

Also if this is a long term option, home after nursery have given them tea and a race round on the bikes beats trying to feed and entertain a grumpy toddler your self.
Most likely DC will only want to flop in front of cbeebies 4-6 so you get much more fun together doing 3/2.

3 long days - you can't do a lot in the time on shorter days, but a lot in a full day

Thanks! I think I am going to look into the 3 day option ... now fingers crossed work are into it too!

Another one for the three long days. It will be much more expensive to pay the four days and the time you'll gain from short days you'll spend doing faffing with breakfast and tea etc, where as if you have the extra day you can have play dates, go out and do things and will appreciate it a lot more when summer comes.