Three 5 hour sessions or 5 3 hour sessions?

[amber9612]

Wondering who here has there toddlers in for the 5 days a week 3 hour sessions or the 3 days a week 5 hour sessions? My son who is 3 1/2 goes to nursery 5 days a week for 3 hour sessions. I got a lot of grief off people telling me he won't be prepared for reception doing only the 3 hours a day but he used to do the 5 hours for three sessions at his old nursery and he wasn't coping well, toilet trained but always wetting himself while there, didn't seem happy and like himself etc. I get where people are coming from of course he needs to get used to the longer days but I felt like he wasn't coping and it was setting him back too much. What's everyone else's 31/2 year olds do?

Many Children just do mornings or afteenoons. My own DD did 8-11... absolutely no problem going the longer days in Reception.

Her elder sister did do 2.5 days... the advantage of this was having the two other days for things like the music group and visiting family.

If you have flexibility do what works for your child and you..ignore comments about being ready for school. Loads of kids don't go to any nursery at all and the go to school. There is no best way to prepare them and they all manage.

I'd do whatever works best for you. Personally I went for 3 x 5 hour days as it gave me a good chunk of time to get stuff done whilst I was child free, and also meant we had 2 clear days to do things together.

If 5 x 3 hour days works better for you and him then I wouldn't worry at all about reception at all, he'll cope fine, and if he's 3 1/2 now he won't be starting for 18 months will he? Though even if he was starting this Sept I'd say the same.

Both my kids did morning nursery as did most of the school (feeder on site) it didn't even offer full days.

Stick with what suits you and your child. If your DC is coping well and happy, that’s great, keep it that way.

Kids do all sorts before school, some don't go to any nursery, some do the free hours, others full time 7am to 6pm 5 days a week. Offers might be with a childminder rather than nursery.

They all settle in to school. Do what works for you and your child, there really doesn't have to be pressure to get them used to something that is happening what might as well be half a lifetime away for a preschooler.

Thank you so much guys. I really appreciate it I'm a natural worrier so silly things like this make me over think. He is an august baby so will start reception in September and will be one of the youngest in his class probably but we will take it in our stride and hopefully he will do well. They mature so much in the months don't they x

Whatever works for you!

We do the 3x 5hour days just to suit my work life tbh.

I've been told by teachers when I've visited school that they all settle pretty well no matter what they've done prior to reception.

Ignore the comments