One day a week at nursery?

[Glera]

We have the most amazing childminder that my just-turned-two year old goes to.

She has made the decision to drop down to Monday - Thursday meaning we now have a Friday with no childcare.

We both work full time and have no family within a three hour radius.

Do we find a nursery or childminder somewhere else for one day? Surely that'll be hard on our boy to settle there?

Do we find someone else altogether?

Extra cog in the works is we only need term time only. Many places don't do that.

Advice would be appreciated on people's thoughts.

I think your boy will be fine, he knows his current minder, and he’s about the age kids start going to nursery school so a bit of varied stimulation might be good. Not sure about term time only - some childminders might be up for that - I would cast the net wide and also ask your current childminder

There are nurseries attached to schools near me, which are term time only. Start there?

The bigger issue is that most childminders/nurseries have minimum attendance which is two days a week.

We did one day a week with our DD at a nursery and she settled just fine. Intend to do the same with DS when I finish Mat leave

Our school nursery is term time only and they can go for just one morning/afternoon a week up to full time. He might enjoy the variety.

My DD started nursery 1 day a week when 2 and the rest of the days at childminder; I wondered how she’s find it but she settled really well with no problems

I’d look to do 3 days with the childminder, 2 at a school nursery.

That's all incredibly helpful. Thanks so much everyone. Think I went into a state of panic. You're right, variety might be good.

i would also do 3 days child minder/2 nursery

school nurseries do term time too

Could you get a nanny for one day? Or another childminder?

Can you both do 9 day fortnights (i.e. work slightly longer days for a Friday off a fortnight) and cover the Friday between you?

If not, I agree with 2 days at nursery being better than one