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Original poster

Help! Nursery.

7 replies

FeelTheRainOnYou · 13/03/2025 11:31

Hi all. Please can this not be a SAHM vs Nanny vs Nursery debate? I’m genuinely after some advice.

When my DD turns 2.5 (September) I’d like her to do perhaps two days in nursery to get used to being in a different environment as when she turns 3.5 (next September 2026) she’ll be going to the nursery in the prep school she’ll be going to. The prep school nursery is from 8:30am-3:30pm in case helpful.

We also have another child who we want to wait until he’s older to go nursery (2.5 too) so our nanny will be taking care of him. She is lovely and an excellent nanny. Given our situation, which of the below do you think is ideal for the 2-3 days that she’ll go in September as I’ve seen two places that I like:

Nursery One - 3 half days (mornings) - so she can come home for lunch and nap. This is also term time only but remember we have a nanny. Will it be hard for her to adjust if just mornings?

Nursery Two - Only offer 3 full days and is all year round. but we can bring her home earlier. Will it be too much at this age for her/a waste of money as we have our nanny? Or easier to adjust as it’s a full day? I have reservations because we’d be paying the entire day and bringing her back earlier and there almost seems no need? I dunno!

I really liked both nurseries and they are equal distance from our house.

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Hyperquiet · 13/03/2025 14:19

I would do nursery 1

SilenceInside · 13/03/2025 14:22

Nursery One, I don't see the point in paying nursery two for additional hours you won't use whilst also paying for a nanny.

Original poster
FeelTheRainOnYou · 13/03/2025 14:29

Thanks. Something I hadn’t factored though is pickup will be right when the younger child is sleeping…so it may be worth doing number two so that there’s some flex in when she comes home?

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ForAvidTealQuoter · 13/03/2025 14:49

My 3.5 year old does five mornings a week but comes home for lunch and he does well with this setup. He will do one more year of pre-school / nursery where I’d like him to stay for lunches. I think this works better for toddlers, so I’d vote nursery 1. Obviously they are already acclimatised somewhat to childcare that isn’t a parent with having a nanny but school is different environment I suppose.

Original poster
FeelTheRainOnYou · 13/03/2025 17:35

ForAvidTealQuoter · 13/03/2025 14:49

My 3.5 year old does five mornings a week but comes home for lunch and he does well with this setup. He will do one more year of pre-school / nursery where I’d like him to stay for lunches. I think this works better for toddlers, so I’d vote nursery 1. Obviously they are already acclimatised somewhat to childcare that isn’t a parent with having a nanny but school is different environment I suppose.

Yeah she is absolutely fine with her nanny but I want her to get used to a school like environment. Your approach sounds lovely. My only concern is that her home time will clash with her brother’s afternoon nap!

OP posts:
CarpetKnees · 13/03/2025 18:04

I'd do mornings.

She is sill very little.
The Nanny will be able to work out the younger ones naps.

Original poster
FeelTheRainOnYou · 13/03/2025 18:26

CarpetKnees · 13/03/2025 18:04

I'd do mornings.

She is sill very little.
The Nanny will be able to work out the younger ones naps.

Thank you ❤️

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