Putting 7 month old in full time nursery

[Beeloux]

Hi all,

Was looking for some advice. I’m a single mum to ds1 (3) and ds2 (6.5 months). I’m currently on UC and have applied for a catering assistant job at a local school. The hours are 10-2, 5 days a week and all school holidays off which would be ideal.

Of course there’s a high chance I won’t get the job but if I do, I can’t help feel a bit worried putting ds2 in nursery full time. Has anyone else put their baby in nursery so young and how did they get on? Ds2 smiles and laughs when he sees other babies and is very sociable.

However he is rather high needs (cries every nap and takes up to 30 minutes of rocking to dose off). He also loves being carried and is also on a trial of hydrolysed formula due to suspected CMPA. I’m worried he won’t settle as he’s been with me 24/7 since birth bar 1 hour when I DF watched him while I had some fillings done at the dentist.

Also, regarding the hours, I presume I will have to pay for full time as it would be between 9:30-2:30? Probably a daft question but would he have to stay the full day or can you drop off/pick them up at anytime during the day?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

DC was in full time nursery since 3 months and has been fine. Maybe it's not ideal but it's life!

I'd research nursery places etc before looking for a job. A nursery may not be right for you, as although UC/free hours covers a hefty chunk of childcare, you'll still be paying for full time, including holidays ~ I also don't know if UC will top up to full time nursery if you're working 25h?

If I were you, I'd look for a childminder as you might get lucky and find those hours work for someone. Then you can only use and pay for the hours you need. It also might be a better fit for your DC 💐

I'd ask your local nurseries re hours - at the ones round us you can pay by the hour and decide what hours you want (obviously space dependent) whereas on MN it seems to be full days or nothing.

I went back to work full-time when my oldest was 7 months old. She went to a childminder and it was absolutely fine and she thrived there. My youngest went to a small nursery and that was great too (she was a bit older though). They settle quickly when they start young especially if they go several days a week. It is before the age separation anxiety gets too bad.