Nursery sessions

[SheStoodInTheStorm]

I have been offered afternoon sessions for DD to start Nursery in January. She still naps and I'm a little worried by the time she gets there she will be asleep (she would be walked there in the pushchair by DM) and then would have to be woken rather them than me

Morning sessions just don't seem to be an option to us. There is an admission criteria and I guess we're at the bottom.

Now DM is kicking up a fuss saying she doesn't want to take her in the afternoons because she will be tired and grumpy late morning then she will have to deal with it all (DM does our childcare). I would much prefer morning sessions for DD but it's out of my hands. I have asked if there is likely to be any movement and am awaiting a response.
DM is getting arsey.

I just don't know what to do! We don't need her to go, it's more for her benefit and social interaction. This is the place we loved most and she loves it too (lots of outdoor space) and the others in the area I wasn't impressed with.

How old is DD? Any chance she could be transferred from buggy to nursery cot?

She will be 3 so will be starting her free hours. She doesn't always sleep and I know for some 3 is old to be napping but if she needs it she has it.

DM can't walk her all the way to Nursery as it'd be too long for her and doesn't want to drive.

If your mum doesn't want to do it or is struggling then maybe you'll need a childminder or nursery for longer hours?

If she's going to nap then is there a lot of point her starting at the moment? Could she be put on a waiting list for mornings and just stay with your DM until then, or does your DM need the break?

But I wouldn't worry too much about the naps, I imagine she'll adapt to the new routine.

Do you have to have them over 5 days? Could she do 2 full days for example so it wouldn't matter?

She'll adjust to the new routine. My 2 stopped napping and started going to bed earlier around 3.

have you checked the time of the session? could she nap after it on the way home or before it late morning (with a substantial snack / sarnie on the way there just before it opens)

Afternoons here in Wales are roughly 1-3:30 (or 12:50-3:20) 5 days a week and the nursery is part of the school so not a lot of choice of venue.

Plus, even if she is napping now she will start to drop it as the months progress. They seem to mature a lot from 2.5 to 3.5 - mine will be 4 in december and is almost unrecognisable from last year in so many ways.

It seems non-negotiable (the afternoons). I have enquired about if there is likely to be any availability for morning but have had no reply. It's a case of you get what you're offered rather than picking and choosing.

DM loves having her, it's more for DD to play with other children and begin to have more play opportunities. She goes to a toddler group once a week already.

The other concern is that she stays awake, goes to nursery and ends up falling asleep on the way back which means sleeping around 3:30-4ish.

I think DD probably will adjust, though not my ideal I don't mind giving it a go. It seems to be DM that's the problem!

I don't want a childminder or longer nursery hours as it's just not needed.

Why can't she continue to be looked after by your DM? I'm sure she takes her to playgroups and other places she can socialise. Nursery at 3yo is neither compulsory nor necessary.
It seems to be the norm that older pre-schoolers are given nursery places in the morning and the younger ones in the afternoon.
A stupid arrangement!

I work in a nursery and we often have very little availability in January and Easter so people unfortunately have to take what is available. If they are not able to, then they just wait until September when we always have greater availability.

Is that an option? Could she just stay with your DM and leave things as they are until September? That way, she would still get 3 terms of funding, hopefully in morning sessions, or would most likely have stopped having an afternoon nap