Is it difficult for a toddler to settle into nursery only 1/2 a day a week?

[CravingSunshine]

I'm a SAHM and going a bit nuts with 2 under 2. DS1 is difficult to keep entertained so I'm thinking about putting him into a nursery for half a day a week or maybe 2 half days. I've heard that it can be difficult for them to get used to being left - he's VERY clingy and is never left with anyone other than grandparents (who don't live nearby) maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Has anyone any experience?

Yes, I'd go for at least 2 half days.

Consecutive if possible.

yes I'm afraid it is generally harder to settle children into nursery if they are going for only one session per week, but of course there are exceptions.

Thanks for that. I had my suspicions. I'll have a look at 2 mornings consecutively.

I'd be surprised if a nursery would except less than 2 days, most near me wouldn't for those exact reasons?

I would actually space the sessions out otherwise there'll be 5 long days between- dd went mon and thur and worked great as not too long to forget- 5 days between would get them out of routine very quickly and each week could feel like a new day iykwim?

DD goes for one half-day per week. She's absolutely fine. Occasionally a bit clingy when first left, but she's easily distracted and perfectly fine for the rest of the afternoon.

I'm looking into this too. Im worried about why kids won't settle on 1/2 days only. Makes me think they only enjoy nursery when there is no choice and it's a regular thing? Surely this isn't everyone's experience? Surely if a toddler swims once a week they'd get used to it and eventually like it if they didn't at the start? Is it because toddlers have no sense of days/times?

The nursery that ds has just left will not take them for any less than two days. We wanted dd to continue nursery one day a week when I became sahm (she was doing 2 days), but was not possible so now have to wait until she gets her nursery grant. She too is rather difficult to entertain so I've found so I can understand exactly what you mean!

I have worked in Nurseries for the last 3 years and generally speaking children struggle to settle on one day or less a week. It does depend on the child's personality and how used to other adults and children he/she is.
If the Nursery has a good rep and is full they generally won't accept you for any less than 2 days a week (they prefer to hold out places for parents who ultimately will be paying for more days). You never know though! Good luck xx

Thanks LuckyOwl. The one I was looking at seems to be flexible in that it offers all sorts of combos from a few hours to longer-term more nursery style care. It is well recommended in the area. My son is however rather clingy at the moment and doesn't even like me leaving the room so I'm really not sure how well he'd get on at all. 2 days might be beyond my budget as I'm not working and wasn't intending for him to be cared for elsewhere; it was just to get a break as I'm finding the 14month age gap and being at home 5 days with no help or family around rather hard going

Oh well that's fine if they've already said they can accomodate those hours!

Do you know what you may be surprised, I've seen kids who are really clingy at home just stroll in without a backward glance, and others that are usually really confident at home really struggle to settle.

See how he gets on with his settling visits (I presume they have some kind of settling in process) before making up your mind. One thing I would say (and I say this to all parents), as hard as it may be the shorter the goodbye the better. Have a little chat with him on the way in explaining what fun he's going to have with his new friends and that you will be back soon. The staff should do the rest, you have nothing to worry about!

Hope it all goes well xxx