Nursery when 3!

[3milygrac3]

My little boy has been offered the opportunity to go to nursery for 30 hours in September. Now, I think he'll thrive of it as he loves to be constantly entertained and socialising. Although, I'm thinking is it too much for him? Should I do the 15 and enjoy the rest of the time with him? What would everybody else do?

Thank you.

Plenty of children go full time from 6 months...there's no 'right' answer. It's whatever you want to do

Mine will be going to school nursery so they'll only offer 15 hours, if I wanted 30 I'd need to go elsewhere but 15 works well for me as a SAHP. It would feel silly putting them in full time at 3 when I don't work BUT it will mean a lot of walking back and forth as DS will be yr 3.

As pp said, some babies are in full time much younger and thrive.

You need to look at what advantage the hours would give you and DC.

If he can go for 30 hours, presumably you are working quite a bit and not just sitting at home all that time. Personally, if I had the option, I'd keep him in for your working time and a little bit extra so that you have a bit of time to yourself and to get things done. And then have the additional day or two together.

I don't think 30 hours is too much for them. Mine started 3-4 days a week from 9-11 months. My 3 year old is in 4 full days 9-5 and we have one day off together. If I had the option to work less, I'd definitely enjoy an extra day or half day to myself if that was an option and then keep our 1 day together.

Mine does roughly 30 hours and I find it a great balance at age 3

My DS1 3.8 currently goes for two mornings a week and will do the 15 hours from September in the form of 9 to 3. I'm self-employed with a DS2 who is 18 months. Do what you feel you would like to do. No pressure for him to do 30 hours at all if you want to ease him in gradually. Plenty of time for full days when they attend Reception class. Everyone's situation is different so use the hours to work for you or to spend more time with him yourself and mix it up.

DS1 is 3.7 and does two full days (8-4) and one half day (8-12) a week. I am on maternity leave with DS2 who is only 2 weeks old. We’ve decided to leave DS1 in nursery while I’m on mat leave as he really enjoys it and it gives me some time alone with the baby. I find the hours he does to be a good balance but honestly he could cope with more at his age. Maybe start at 15 hours then increase if it seems to be going well?

It's down to how you feel about the time away.

Ours have only ever qualified for the 15 hours but with our 2nd he did 2.5 days rather than 5 half days and he loved it. It was easier for me to only do 3 school runs 1 day a week but the school stopped offering it with our 3rd onwards.

Eldest did private nursery from 15mth until going to reception at school as I worked then, only 1.5 days a week (full day was 9-6)

As others said, the 30 hours is usually linked to working so it could be a good move. They often come on so much.

My LO has been full time at a nursery since he was 11 months old - roughly 7.45am until 4.45pm every day. It is hard and makes me sad sometimes, but I don't have a choice due to work. He seems to enjoy it though and talks of being happy to see his friends etc. Also makes our family time more precious.