When to start nursery

[HVC]

Hi all,

We have the option to start nursery pre or after Christmas break. My baby will be 9 months old in December if we start pre Christmas. If we start pre Christmas, I am planning to send her half day for two weeks and gradually increase the hours first week of January, and then full day from the second week of January onwards. If we start in January, gradually increase the hours in the first week of January and then full day from the second week of January.
Work wise it would be beneficial for me to return in December but it is not the end of the world if I return in January.

What would be your advice?

I wouldn’t settle immediately before a break. It’ll be more difficult for everyone. If you have the option, start her fresh in January.

Absolutely January. Starting then taking a big break over Christmas will be really confusing, and settling in periods don’t need to be long either. It’s easier to just get started so they know what’s happening.

Thank you both 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

She will get a bug after bug starting after like day 3 of nursery so if you start in December she will likely be ill for Xmas.

I work in a baby room. Please after the break. Otherwise she'll just need settling in again from scratch.

After the break is better for her for settling.

Agre with all the PPs, January x

Agree with the others. My little one started in December and it was a mistake. He hadn't settled before Christmas and I spent the whole of the Christmas break worried sick about him going back in January.