2 hour session scrapped!

[McDreamy]

DS goes to a lovely nursery for 2 hours twice a week which suits him (and me) really nicely. They also offer a 4 hourly session and both sessions are always full (in fact there is a waiting list).

From September they have decided to scrap the 2 hourly sessions and only offer 4 hourly sessions. I really saddened by this as for one thing to attend a four hourly session twice a week will double my fees and just to go once a week I don't think is enough.

Just wondered what everyone else thought. I know 2 hours wouldn't seem worthwhile for most people but it is very popular here.

Yes you are right Bundle but we live in a very different environment to the UK. The majority of mums don't work - because there is no work. The nursery is only open for 4 hours not all day so now it's 4 hours or nothing instead of 2 or 4 hours, there's no longer any choice.

Also 2 hours means 2 hours, the nursery is about a 5 - 8 minute walk away for everyone so there's no travel involved etc.

my son goes for 2 1/2 hours a day he is nearly four I think 2 hours is a nice amount of time which doesnt interfer with food and naps

i understand mcdreamy. i hope you manage to sort something out, xx

agree it may be very difficult to manage and timetable accordingly for the comings and goings of the 2 hour children and particularly the impact it has on those children staying longer. tbh a nearly 2 doesn't need to socialise in such a formal environment. If it is an issue for you and some other mums who use it , could you suggest that there is at a least one shorter session a week to settle in the under 3's before starting 4 hour ones.

this is, my dd is 4 now and only gos for 2 1/2 hrs at school nursery, so still not very long?

but do they all do the same Pinkchick, so the session can be structured to suit everyone.

I think I will approach the manager, she's very nice. Just wanted to air my disappointment I think. It took me along time to decide wether or not to send him in the first place as I agree about your comment on "formal environemnt" but as there isn't much alternative I decided to give it a go and it worked, he loves it.

Thanks for reading my ramblings everyone

well yes, its a school nursery, so it will be working toward curriculum..just thought everyone thought 2 hrs was too short, was worried then

There are no comings and going sof the 2 hourly children as they are in a separate room from the 4 hourly children. I agree that would be very disruptive.

pinkchick - 2.5hrs is fine for your 4yo (assuming it IS fine for her), there is no right or wrong.

I assume she will be in school in sep anyway, time enough for full time formal eductation when they HAVE to go.

my ds (4y8m) goes to pre-school 5 days a week, 4 of them are 2.5hrs and the friday is 3.5hrs for just the pre-school year kids, they take their lunch and eat it there. which is a nice way of introducing them to the idea.
Other 4yo's are going to be in full time day care from 8am (or earlier) to 6pm. But this type of day care is a very different animal from sessional nursery or pre-school sessions, so I don't think you can compare it.

yes she is going up to reception in sept but wasnt actually due till jan next year, thankfully things have changed and theyve seen sense!