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Original poster

Routine around nursery

85 replies

theotherfossilsister · 05/05/2023 12:21

Sorry I know I make lots of anxious threads but.ik.now worrying about routine aroud nursery, bedtime, dinner, etc. If a child is collected at five thirty, and it's forty minutes home then isn't dinner/bath etc all a bit of a rush? Do you let them sleep on the way home

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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BananaPalm · 10/05/2023 10:28

We have a bit different routine, if that helps. We pick up our DS (17mo) around 5pm and then he often falls asleep for 15-20mins when we come back. Once at home, it’s a bit of a playtime with us and then DS’ dinner (sandwich/porridge/etc), bath and bed around 9pm. We’re fine with it as we want to spend a bit of quality time with him and we eat our main meal at lunchtime so that we don’t eat a heavy meal so late in the day. However, DS tends to sleep till around 8am and he’s normally at the nursery around 9am/9:30am (we tag team drop offs/pickups). In the last week or so it seems that he needs that after nursery nap less and less so we will try pushing the bedtime closer to 8:30pm.

It all depends on your child, you know them best so you’ll find a routine that works for you and your family. Just give it time!

Original poster
theotherfossilsister · 10/05/2023 10:37

He's currently nine months but going to nursery in August when I return to work

OP posts:
Careerdilemma · 10/05/2023 10:40

It would be a major struggle keeping mine awake. My best bet would be to carry him front facing in our preschooler sling so we could chat, sing etc and I could feed him snacks whilst keeping an eye. You would need to build up to if if you're not used to carrying them and make sure to keep a super comfy sling.

Any way you can bike it? Presumably that would be quick if it is only a 40 minute walk.

Or switch to a faster parent facing buggy. Something like the Joie Mirus which is cheap, nippy and can be used parent facing.

jannier · 10/05/2023 12:13

theotherfossilsister · 10/05/2023 10:19

I'm a bit scared of choking but maybe I could try to keep a close eye on the buggy, the fast one doesn't face me (we have a slow one which does but would add time to the journey.) Any other ideas for keeping him awake? Thank you x

You're Definitely right not to risk feeding food on a journey children need to be sat upright and watched. Did you ever look at childminders? They are inspected to the same standards by the same inspectors and offer the same education and developmental experiences.

jannier · 10/05/2023 12:14

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 10:25

@tikkanaan do you never ever leave your kid alone with an apple/bag of crisps etc whilst you shower?

Are you serious?

tikkanaan · 10/05/2023 12:16

jannier · 10/05/2023 12:14

Are you serious?

Show quote history

Thank goodness. I thought maybe I was being ridiculous but there is NO WAY I'd leave my child unattended with an apple.

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:16

@jannier yes of course. I have a four year old and twins 3yrs old.
I also let them ride scooters/bikes, play in skate parks, my four year old can swim in deep water. They eat spicy food, cotton wool not essential

tikkanaan · 10/05/2023 12:18

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:16

@jannier yes of course. I have a four year old and twins 3yrs old.
I also let them ride scooters/bikes, play in skate parks, my four year old can swim in deep water. They eat spicy food, cotton wool not essential

Spicy food is fine but choking hazards while unattended not so much. Presumably you don't let your child swim in deep water unattended?

AlltheFs · 10/05/2023 12:19

We have a 30 min car ride home from nursery- we are rural so that’s how it is.

They have main meal at lunchtime, tea at 4pm. Pick up is around 5.30. We do another snack at home about 6/6.30.

Bath only 3 times a week roughly, lights out for 8 latest (books from about 7).

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:20

@tikkanaan I'm next to him of course. He's smashing it, absolutely brilliant at swimming.
I will always however let him eat an apple or bag of crisps whilst I'm not watching him.

Have you taught your kids to eat!?

DappledThings · 10/05/2023 12:22

We only ever did snacks on nursery days. DC ate about 4.30 with a set of snacks they called tea. Didn't need a full meal after that.

He quite often had a danger nap in the car home. We just had to roll with it.

tikkanaan · 10/05/2023 12:28

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:20

@tikkanaan I'm next to him of course. He's smashing it, absolutely brilliant at swimming.
I will always however let him eat an apple or bag of crisps whilst I'm not watching him.

Have you taught your kids to eat!?

Yeah but she's only just 3

geraniumsrojo · 10/05/2023 12:29
  1. Put him on a waitlist for closer nurseries.
  2. Get a bike and a kid's bike seat that goes in front. They sit between your arms so you can cuddle/chat (and keep them awake). Should make commute much faster.
cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:53

@tikkanaan at even 'just three' I just still think that's okay! There's no way in a million years your nursery/childminder/or you frankly watch her 1-1 every single bite.

gotmygroove · 10/05/2023 13:15

When my dc were at nursery I'd pick them up at 6 and get home about 7 so if they fell asleep on the way home they'd be out for the count. I'd offer them snacks on the way home in hope to keep them awake though.
I had to make the decision on baths being on the days they didn't attend nursery to make it easier for everyone!

jannier · 10/05/2023 13:17

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:16

@jannier yes of course. I have a four year old and twins 3yrs old.
I also let them ride scooters/bikes, play in skate parks, my four year old can swim in deep water. They eat spicy food, cotton wool not essential

It's the attended or unattended that bothers me having seen children choke Infront of parents and had to step in on two occasions because parents thought child would be coughing or something I think it unwise to ignore current safety advice I know twins are a handful but your 4 year old wouldn't know what to do and by the time your out of the shower it would be too late even if they called you.
Scooting, climbing, bikes, no problem assuming your watching

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 13:20

@jannier I hope you manage to let go a bit.

jannier · 10/05/2023 13:20

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:20

@tikkanaan I'm next to him of course. He's smashing it, absolutely brilliant at swimming.
I will always however let him eat an apple or bag of crisps whilst I'm not watching him.

Have you taught your kids to eat!?

Adults choke you must have done so yourself start coughing when you eat inhale.....your children are always sat quietly no talking or laughing in an upright chair when eating and you're not there? In 29 years childcare I've never met one who doesn't talk or giggle when eating

ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse · 10/05/2023 13:23

We used to get home from nursery at 6:40pm and go straight to the bath.

DD would have had quite a good snack tea at nursery so didn't need dinner and her cup of milk before bed would fill up her up a bit. If she was hungry though, she'd have a bowl of Weetabix or porridge after the bath, then stories, then sleep. All done and dusted by 7:30pm.

Merrow · 10/05/2023 13:23

We had a similar nursery commute. DS had a snack immediately on coming out then I either cycled or used a running buggy to get him home as quickly as possible, keeping him engaged the whole way. He was a little older but with the buggy we had a game where he shouted out colours to make me go faster or slower and sang lots of songs. The bike was quick enough that he wasn't really in danger of falling asleep.

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 13:24

@jannier well thanks!

This actually brings me to a huge brag about my children. They sit so nicely through all meals it's unreal. We occasionally have colouring in a restaurant but never an iPad etc.
we've been to a couple of weddings last year in fact where we were very much complimented on the boys nice behaviour at the table.

I am definitely proud of my boys.

jannier · 10/05/2023 13:25

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 12:53

@tikkanaan at even 'just three' I just still think that's okay! There's no way in a million years your nursery/childminder/or you frankly watch her 1-1 every single bite.

Legally they must be in the room with children when eating....that's why there have been a few deaths in childcare and extensive investigation and guidelines on feeding....the children dying at home unfortunately can't be legislated on ....do you leave your child eating for the time it takes you to shower and dress ....15 minutes at super speed?

tikkanaan · 10/05/2023 13:26

jannier · 10/05/2023 13:17

It's the attended or unattended that bothers me having seen children choke Infront of parents and had to step in on two occasions because parents thought child would be coughing or something I think it unwise to ignore current safety advice I know twins are a handful but your 4 year old wouldn't know what to do and by the time your out of the shower it would be too late even if they called you.
Scooting, climbing, bikes, no problem assuming your watching

Show quote history

Yup you're right. You'd have no idea your child was choking if you were in the shower and it could easily be too late. If mine wanted an apple they'd have to sit in the bathroom with me. It's the same as not letting them bathe alone

cpphelp · 10/05/2023 13:26

@jannier yeah I absolutely would. No question.

jannier · 10/05/2023 13:27

Current advice including supervision....

Routine around nursery