2 or 3 days at nursery?

[RosieLee2019]

My 1 year old is just about to start nursery - he’s done a few settling sessions and has settled really well and already seems to be getting a lot out of going there. We planned to put him in 3 days, but now my DM has offered to have him a day a week meaning we’d only need to have him in nursery 2 days. While obviously from a financial perspective this is great, I can’t help but think that from a developmental perspective 3 days would be better… or does it not really make much difference at this age? Anyone got any views or experience?

3 days a week would make it easier for routine but at the same time spending one day a week with his nan would mean a stronger bond is formed.
Maybe up to 3 days when he's older

We started with 2 days and up'd to 3 after 6
month.
But my DC is older.
I think at 1 yo they would benefit with a day with grandparents.

This would totally depend on the grandparent.
Are they fit and well enough to look after a toddler?
Are they usually reliable and trustworthy?
Do they respect your parenting choices?

Personally I’d probably go for 3 nursery days and ask grandparents if they’d be willing to support us through babysitting and occasional saturdays, which would be lovely for the bond, give you a little extra space but also is more ad hoc so less potential tension.
However your situation may be different.

I’d go with the grandparents day unless you have any concerns about a regular arrangement. Benefits you financially, great for the relationship between grandparent and child and child is still getting 2 days a week to mix with peers. DD will go 2 days a week when I’m on maternity with DC2, we figured it was the right balance between saving money, saving my sanity with two under two, and keeping her mixing with her peers.

Mine is in for 3 days and I think it has helped her settle well and slot into nursery routine. What I would warn is that she is getting every possible bug under the sun - as are all the other babies/toddlers I know - and so having a grandparent nearby who could offer some kind of back up childcare would be v useful if you do go for 3 days! We've had to stop and start work a lot in the three months she has been in - my employer is understanding but it's not easy.

^ that's a really good point. We were scrabbling around for someone to keep an eye on DD the other day when she had a bad cold and nursery wouldn't take her - DH and I both happened to have really important presentations that day. As it was my mum was able to take the day off at short notice but having a go-to back up person would be a dream!

Can you go for 2.5? We were doing 2 days in nursery and 1 with DM but switched to 2.5 because we find that DM gets every bug the DC pick up at nursery and then is often too unwell the following week. Plus DM sometimes goes on holiday or has unavoidable things coming up. It's great to usually have half a day each week to catch up with chores and only half a day of extra work to squeeze in if DM is ill or busy.