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Original poster

Afternoon v morning sessions at pre-school - views please!

15 replies

Arkala · 20/05/2010 20:35

DD is starting pre-school in September (just before she turns 3). She will be doing one full day while I am at work, then two other sessions. I think these will have to be afternoons (for funding reasons that the pre-school have stipulated) but most other people I know have chosen morning sessions for their DC.

I don't mind DD doing afternoons but just wanted to check I'm not missing some major reason why they seem to be the less popular choice! I want it all to go well for her

I would really like to hear some views on why people have chosen one over the other and pros and cons for both.

Thanks

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rubyslippers · 20/05/2010 20:36

because lots of toddlers still have an afternoon sleep

surfinia · 20/05/2010 20:36

i always did mornings for mine because they got so tired by lunchtime.

Just my opnion though.

DanJARMouse · 20/05/2010 20:37

I think it is because once you drop off the kids in the morning its YOU time, and then the kid is knackered in the afternoon and happy to sit and watch TV or have a nap!!!

Personally, I dont mind either way. DD2 is afternoons at the moment, but I have requested mornings for when DS starts in January. Only because I can drop all 3 in the morning and not have to pay for wrap around care in the afternoon for the DDs as school finishes at 2.45pm and nursery at 3.15pm

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Beasknees · 20/05/2010 20:39

do you want to pay for daughter to sleep at nursery/ want to change her routine?

I chose afternoons for my dd as she didn't nap anymore and we tended to do more things with friends in the morning than in afternoons so we ended up with the best of both worlds.

ps. if she's starting in September and not 3 til after then she wont be eligible for free sessions until January.

Original poster

Arkala · 20/05/2010 20:40

Ah yes, nap time! Sadly had forgotten about that since DD not overly keen now so am anticipating that by Sept she'll have totally dropped them.

And me time....also have 6 month old DS so none of that either!

Thanks v much for replies, both the above I can see would be major reasons for choosing mornings if you had a napper or children in school etc. Can't believe I didn't work that out for myself!

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Jojay · 20/05/2010 20:42

DS1 does afternoons and it's great.

It's quieter so he gets more attention from the staff, and DS2 sleeps after lunch so I get some peace and quiet from both if them

He does fall asleep on the sofa at 4 pm sometimes though.

Jojay · 20/05/2010 20:43

Also, afternoons means you avoid the frantic rush to get out the door by 8.30 am too!

Original poster

Arkala · 20/05/2010 20:43

Beaskness - I know, she won't get the funding til Jan but I go back to work in Sept so need to book slots from Sept onwards so have to commit to the days I want even though I'll be paying for the first term regardless (sadly!).

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Original poster

Arkala · 20/05/2010 20:45

Jojay, yes that's what I am hoping for too, that DS will nap while DD is at pre-school. (probably wishful thinking though)

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Pavlov · 20/05/2010 20:46

DD no longer naps and does two full days and one afternoon, we chose the afternoon rather than morning because they do french straight after lunch while the younger children have a nap!

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 20/05/2010 20:48

My ds1 has done mornings since the term after he turned 3.

It's great. It gives us a reason to be up and out in the morning on my non-work days, which means it's less of a struggle to be out on time (7.15am) on the days that I do work. DS2 and I get some good time together (on the days that I don't work) as he naps after lunch, which then gives ds1 and I time together.

Ds1 did get tired in the afternoons when he first started, and I think he got more out of it going in the mornings when he had more energy and could concentrate for longer.

I'm glad he goes for the morning session, and will be doing my utmost to get the same for ds2.

Original poster

Arkala · 20/05/2010 20:53

IwishIwasmoreorganised - I've heard this from other mums too - that even if you have a livewire toddler that starting pre-school really tires them out like nothing else.

If DD does seem to get exhausted I guess I'll have to make sure the mornings are quite low-key beforehand.

Glad to have some positive afternoon responses too though, seems (like everything!) that different things work for different people.

OP posts:

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 20/05/2010 21:02

Forgot to say, I think it'll make the transition to reception easier too - getting up and going to school in the morning is just what happens.

I have yet to test this theory though - I can let you know in September if it's right or not!!

carocaro · 22/05/2010 08:46

no idea why, seems odd, both are good!

giveitago · 22/05/2010 16:51

I put ds in for pms because:

wanted him to drop the naps for good.

hassle of mornings and then only for 2.5 hours and I have him the rest of the day

afternoons were are good break in my day without the hassles of getting him up and dressed on time (my ds like this).

He's leaving preschool soon and I'm glad we made the choice for afternoons.

However, what I would say is that having a morning session when it's summer means his day is cut in half - if were at nursery in the morning I could take him out for the rest of the day - not easy with pm sessions.

But generally very happy with afternoons.

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