What hours in Nursery work best when starting at 3yrs old?

[sharond101]

DS will go to Nursery next year when he turns 3 for the given 15 hours per week. I assumed it would work as 5 mornings or afternoons however someone told me today I can use it as fewer and longer days by adding sessions together. Work won't be a problem as my Mum can look after him whilst I work. We do lots together and I will miss not having him around although all going well there will be a baby Sister or Brother arriving before then so my situation may have changed. What hours suit you best and why?

both mine did 5 mornings per week - the nursery we used only offered mornings or afternoons

Morning, so I can get laundry done and hung up to dry. Plus afternoon tends to be better for our other activities like swimming, trampolining, gymnastics.

You may not get 15 hours. It will depend on what the pre-school is able to offer. Have they told you what sessions are available?

DD1 and 2 done 5 mornings. DD3 done 3 school days and stayed for lunch. She loved it and so did I as I could get things done instead of racing back to collect her. She also settled straight into school even though she's an end of July baby

The only place I know who offer the 3 days is the private nursery. The school and preschools all do 5 mornings or afternoons. I paid £1.80 per day for her lunch.

We have DS at a lovely nursery 9.30-2.30 three days a week. We pay £2.50 per day for his lunch. DD before him did 7.30-12.30 at the same nursery. Its been great for him to do longer days and eat meals with his peers. When he starts school Sept 2015 he will already be used to longer days as his sister was. The longer day also means I can work while they are both otherwise engaged, leaving more quality time. A school nursery wouldn't work for us.

It really depends on where you are I think.

My dd does 11-5.30 3 days a week we just pay the extra few hours. She loves it.

My DD did 5 mornings of 2 hours and 45 minutes from 2.10. I had no other option other than four full days. I would have preferred 3 slightly longer days - say 5 hours - as 5 mornings shattered her.

I teach in a nursery attached to a school and I would say our children who do every morning get the best deal. This is because our boundaries and routines are reinforced every day. Children who do two full days and half a day have often forgotten how we operate by the next time they come and we have to resettle them. Afternoons aren't so good at my nursery because the children spend sooooooo long eating their packed lunches. Morning children get to access the provision for the whole of their session.
Hope that makes sense, it's been a long day!

It depends what they offer.

DD1 went to a fabulous preschool where the sessions were 9-12 for mornings and 12.30 - 3.10 for afternoons or you could have from 9 - 3.10 and pay £2 for lunch or take a packed lunch. DD1 did two full days and one afternoon.

DD2 goes to a nursery where the morning sessions offered are 8-11am or afternoons 12.30-3.30pm. If they do 9 till 3 we have to pay £6.50 for lunch!