Nursery 1 day a week // Friday or Monday

[frolicmum]

Hi everyone, had a discussion with hubby. My 19 months old DS will start nursery in the next 2 months, settling in is about 4 weeks.

We discussed which day is better Monday or Friday. I personally think that Monday is better but DH seems to think that a lot of bank holidays fall on a Monday but then again, I enjoy spending time with my child but he thinks money is wasted if he doesn't go.

DS2 did two mornings a week to start and they were Monday and Tuesday. To be honest, the bank holiday aspect was annoying, I would go for Friday.

I think he’s got a point. I also wouldn’t just do one day a week - it’s going to take much longer to settle with 6 days in between going. As you’re debating days I assume you don’t need it for childcare so I would do 2 mornings.

Yeah, bank holidays are a bit irritating. I would go with a Friday or Tuesday (but assuming not an option).

Definitely Friday over Monday.

Yeah I'd go with Friday. We still had to pay for Monday's even though they were closed and we both work somewhere that doesn't close for the bank holidays so I either had to book them off or get someone to look after DS.

Imo children who don’t do at least 2 sessions a week struggle to settle. It’s a long time for them to remember the place between sessions

I wouldn’t do just one day a week, but if I had to, do a Friday. No reason to pay for bank holidays if you are only going once a week. I’d probably do mid week though as it’s a nice break in the week or ideally 2 half days to make it easier.

Thank you! They have a 4 week settling in period so I suppose we will see then. I could send him two mornings or even 2 full days at the beginning and then see how he gets on.

We have a live in nanny but I think nursery will be good for him as he shows real interest in other children at the playground now wanting to bring them his ball etc.

I'm looking at Bright Horizons (new one here as of 2019). I would have preferred a Montessori nursery but he would have to go 3 full days minimum in our area and that's not what we want.

Depends on the nursery, ours is open on Bank Holidays. Tends to be quieter in the rooms on Friday as well, which might factor into your decision.

When we started our daughter at nursery we wanted to do it gradually as we weren't in a rush. We suggested 1 day a week and the nursery said it would be better to do 2 half days. We did Tues and Thurs AM. To be honest she didn't really settle properly until we upped her hours. It was too little, too spaced out for her. Although she was 15 months so a bit younger.

We were advised that really you need a minimum of 2 days per week to allow them to settle. And to pick friday over monday if we had to (but he goes Tue and Thu, and DH doesn't work Wed so my solo days are spaced)

We did have him at a child minders for 2 days before the pandemic and he settled so quickly, he's very chilled and always has been since birth. I was worried at the beginning something was wrong as he never cried but he's fine. I've been around a lot of children and he seems to be the one that's always happy.

If it really didn't work I would completely take him out again as what we have works well but I genuinely believe this will be good and would benefit him and so does my husband.

In which case, why not get rid of the live in nanny and send him to nursery? Paying to send him to nursery when you have a live in nanny seems nuts. Can she not take him to groups to get his socialisation in?

@PotteringAlong the have been no groups on due to covid and he doesn't get it if it's online, he's too young. I do see your point and DH did say this but she works long hours and it would give her a bit more of a break to be honest, it's only 1 day or two mornings. He will go to nursery even more when he's 3 and gets free hours.

TTC number two and praying for my BFP in 5 days. I have heard a lot of children have trouble settling into nursery later on, so I think it's good to do it now.