How many hours at nursery is too many?

[twohearts]

My daughter is 18 months old and has been in nursery since she was 7 months old and absolutely loves it.

I've had the good fortune to be able to work a freelance job from home, so while she attends 5 days/week, it's usually no more than 6-7 hours per day.

Now, however, I'm in the final interview stages for a corporate job that looks like it could be a really good opportunity for me professionally.

HOWEVER, if I end up taking this job, it means that I'd have to increase my daughter's hours at nursery since I am her primary caregiver (husband is a workaholic and cannot do drop-off or pick-up).

This means I'd have to drop her off at nursery at about 8am and not pick her up until 5.30pm. It would be this way from Monday through Thursday (I'd have Fridays off). This just seems like too much time spent in nursery to me. She's only 18 months old, after all.

Am I being unreasonable? Is that normal and should I just get over it? She's super social and gets on well at nursery but, I dunno... it seems like a lot.

On the other hand, this looks like it could be a great professional opportunity. I'm so torn! The other option would be to pull her out of nursery and hire a nanny but she's used to being in a nursery setting (as opposed to with one primary caregiver all day long) so don't think that would be a good move.

Appreciate any advice/thoughts.

Thanks!

Firstly, congrats on the new job. It really does sound like a great opportunity.

Just to offer my opinion... I worked in a nursery for 2 years. I was exploring a career in early years of education. This is what I found;

1. The care provider did not always provide a good standard of learning nor did it always provide a strong conducive learning environment.
2. At times, the staff would have some inappropriate conversations around the children.
3. The environment is great for kids socially. They get to meet and interact with other kids their own age.
4. When kids are with the provider for long periods of time a day, they very rarely enjoy it. Most of the time kids were always looking out the windows waiting for the parents to collect them.
5. For the younger kids, there were a lot of tears during the day and longing for mum most of the time especially when they were doing long days.
6. There was so much politics going on in the nursery I worked at that sometimes disrupted the level of care provided.
7. Lunch and snack time was not always very nice (my opinion).
8. The kids were quite bored sometimes unfortunately.

This is just my experience and my thoughts. The decision is up to you ultimately. You do what you think is best for the child.

From what I saw, it seemed that the nursery suited the parents and the kids had to adjust as they had no choice. However, it was evident that they did not want to be there by choice. Kids will most likely come back with a smile on their face but that doesn't mean they have had the best day.

Sorry for the long reply but just wanted to give a perspective from someone who has worked in one.

We have a lot of children doing similar hours. Some do the full five days. Most of these children cope fine day to day if they are happy with the staff caring for them and tend to be more settled than babies doing less days. However do remember that like we need a break from work children also benefit from regular breaks from nursery as they are busy days for them with lots of new experiences to process. We can always tell when full time children need a break as they get grumpy and tired. Basically if you book a weeks holiday your baby may need to share it!

Under 10 hours seems fine, Most kids do ok with 8! 10 usually is a bit harder (as they see there freinds all leaving but still have to wait). Your little one will be ok!

Wow, it is wild that this thread is still getting replies 7 years later!

My child (and second one, who came a year after this posting!) are both long out of nursery now but hope this is useful to anyone still dealing with these conundrums.

I think it's very very normal nowadays, but personally have the same feeling as you that it seems a long time. It's longer than most people spend at work (or anywhere else!). I know socialising is good for them but not sure if they need 10hrs a day of it..? I don't think I'd cope very well being in a group setting that long at my age let alone 18 months.

I'd personally go with the nanny option if that's available to you, they'll take them to playgroups/toddler groups etc so they'll still get that interaction with other little ones. And could start doing half days at nursery or preschool from 2 or 3.

OP's child is probably around 8 years old now :)