Minimum reccomended hours for nursery?

[Redparrot1]

Looking at going back to work when little one is 9 months old, I have been talking to my manager (who will be going on maternity leave herself when I return) and there is a possibility that I could cover her at work. I have worked out that childcare would only be an issue on Mondays (as my partner and mother are both working themselves) so just having a look into nurseries. Is there a minimum recommended hours a week for nurseries?

I’d say two days there is a big gap if it’s just one day. Of course some children will settle happily wherever but most will struggle with just one day in my experience. Can you pay for an extra morning or afternoon further on in the week? Or look for a childminder so there is only one main person rather than lots of people and other children to get used too.

Plus if only one day that’s a max of 12 days in 3months. Say one is a bank holiday one you are on Holiday and 3 are sick (especially so at the start) that’s only 7 days. A few extra hours would make difference. Plus if you do need cover extra days from
Work for sickness you have ready made back up plan to work, or catch up on things at home.

Just Mondays sounds fine to me at this point.

The more days they attend, the faster they settle. At least 2 days if possible.

Many nurseries would refuse a child only wanting one day a week. I agree with them. They may never settle.

And Monday is bank holiday day. You might find you get charged for days you're not allowed to use the nursery.

A big gap is very hard for even young babies - they go, settle, then get used to being with parents for almost a week - then they're unsettled again when they get back to nursery. Practitioners settle them - they have a lovely day eventually - and then the upset happens again the next week.

3 days - say Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - I've found to work well for all ages, but two days - Mon, Thurs or Mon, Fri also works for settling in.

1 day a week will be a challenge for your child, I think.

I think it depends on the nursery and area, to be honest. My best friend's son is only in one day per week

However, I do agree that the more days they're in, the faster they settle

This isn't always the case though. Not all babies need a long time to settle. I've known a few families just send their baby one day a week so the mum can keep her hand in with very part time work or in a couple of cases so the SAHM has time to get stuff done. Not all little ones get upset and in the cases that spring to my mind the children were fine just spending one day a week in a fun new place.

You will find that some nurseries don't offer a single day due to the difficulties many children find with settling, and making and developing relationships with adults and children at the nursery. At the nursery where I work, we offer a minimum of 2 half days, spread over 2 days.

Depends on your child I have some who are happy and settled from the get go and others who take weeks even if they are 5 days a week.
Many nurseries insist on a set number of hours but it is always necessary.
Have you considered a childminder? As its quieter with often more 1 to 1 your Lo may settle more easily. Ask your setting if its possible to do several settling sessions over as long as needed I normally have several play dates before an hour or so without parent then build up.