Full-time or part-time preschool?

[Ponche]

My DD currently attends a private nursery 3 days a week and will possibly start at a mainstream school nursery in September (she will almost be 4 then).

The 30 hours funding covers 08.30-03.30 Monday to Friday and just need to pay a small amount for the lunch time cover.

I work 3 days a week though and not sure if I should send her full-time or part-time?

She’d get a 1:1 (ASD, non-verbal) so I feel more days of extra support can only be a good thing as she’d be able to access more of the provision?

Pros of full-time: more time with 1:1 support, good preparation for reception, more evidence in terms of how she copes in a mainstream school setting full-time, I’d get two days a week with just DD2 to do things out and about that I struggle to do with both alone

Cons of full-time: full-time may be exhausting for her especially if she struggles there, less time at home to decompress, I’d feel guilty sending her full-time as I’m not working full-time.

Just wondering what others have done/would do?

Is the 1–1 guaranteed? Does the echp clearly state it?

i would be looking to start at 3 days and then increase a day a term if that’s possible.

In our situation our son was at a childminder 4 days and managing fine. we started our son at preschool 2 days and kept him at the child minder 2 days. That was at just over 3. He was always so tired after pre school, much more so than after a longer day with the childminder.
When he was nearly 4 he switched to 4.5 days, mornings at school nursery and afternoons at pre school and honestly he's shattered by the end of the week every week.
I think it's because of the busy environment, if your child has sensory or social difficulties it can really take its toll on them.
I would suggest talking to the nursery as we have found them extremely accommodating and understanding and willing to support whatever is best.
I would recommend starting 2 days and ramping up based on how your child goes.
Good luck!

@Sirzy She has no EHCP yet as we just started the process 5 weeks ago.

I’m only really moving her as I’ve been told she’ll get ‘more funding’ and a 1:1 in the school nursery, even without an EHCP.

The school SENCo said they use the inclusion funding to fund a full-time ETA and this will be applied for/recruited for the term before she starts. The school nursery is in our local LA.

At her current setting, the inclusion funding covers an enhanced ratio of 1:4 and goes less far I guess as she attends all year round. This nursery is in a neighbouring LA.