My little boy is 19mo. I work 3 days a week, and are very lucky with childcare as my mum has him 2 days a week and then I also do a weekend shift so is with his dad. I'm thinking of sending him to nursery for one half day a week as I feel it would be beneficial for him.
I've found a lovely nursery nearby that can accommodate 1 morning a week and would be affordable.
I do take him to a parent and toddler group and swimming lessons, both once a week, but I sometimes feel like he needs something more. He's a busy and inquisitive toddler, and I think that one morning a week could help him 'let off steam' so to speak.
One big factor for me to consider this, is that we currently don't have many children around us. He doesn't have any cousins and of the two friends that have children his age, 1 we can only see about once a month and the other we can't see very often due to schedule (my work shift clash the days her son goes to his dad's as they have 50/50 care).
I think a lot of this stems from a place of guilt at the moment. I'm pregnant and in the first trimester. I'm struggling a LOT with tiredness so am spending a lot of time on the sofa while DS entertains himself. Not necessarily a bad thing but we usually go to the park, library, soft play, run errands, etc. We've lost a lot of structure at the moment because I can barely function with being so tired.
I just feel the nursery could offer a morning (8-1) of lots of play, craft, outdoor play, music, etc. We can't really afford a full day or more than one morning as we're saving up for maternity leave and intend to be off for at least a year this time around (last baby).
I'm just in two minds right now. He's starting a play group next year (drop off session) for two mornings a week when he's 2 but that's not for at least another 5 months.