Would a childminder be too long a day?

[time2changeCharlieBrown]

I’m deciding where to send lo (nearly 2)
choices are childminder long day 8:30-5ish 2-3 days

pre school/ nursery setting either mornings 9-12 five days

or 9-3 (2-3 days)

what do you think is best suited for a nearly two year old?

Some many variables to this OP, what your child is like… what nurseries in your arena offer… what the childminders are offering and the facilities? Does the childminder take them out or do they stay inside? I don’t think the hours are the biggest factors to consider.

My DD2 does 3 mornings at a nursery, she loves being outdoors and needs lots of space - so we chose a nursery with a huge forest school and outdoor area, she loves it and it works for our family, as we don’t tend to do those activities as a family.

I think the shorter mornings 5 days is best for younger dcs if you don't need the childcare to fit in with specific hours, as they'll be napping in the afternoon and won't get as much out of being there. And attending for 5 days means there is never a long break from nursery sessions, so they get used to the routine without starting and stopping. My dcs have always been most alert in the mornings, and the shorter session means they still get a lot of their awake time with you.

But it's not as good for you from a childcare perspective - mine is about to start preschool mornings and it will still be hard to work, or even schedule appointments or trips out to do anything (once you factor in travelling time).

What do you need in order to work? It’s not a particularly long day at the childminders for children of many parents who are working - about the minimum really. Mine were there for a little over that and it was fine - she was great at a balance of fun stuff and more calm downtime. They’d eat there too in the evening / afternoon.