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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Nursery Placement for toddler

19 replies

Rach780 · 06/11/2020 20:10

Hi
I am expecting a baby late January and am considering what would be best to do in terms of nursery for my 2 year old daughter.

when the baby arrives i am not likely to have support from family with distance and the current covid situation and will need some time to be able to spend with the baby on my own. my 2 year old started back at nursery in September after a break because of covid and she absolutely loves it, she has been doing 3 full consecutive days while i have been working from home.

I want to try and keep nursery fees down, but at the same time my 2 year old loves nursery and keeps bringing new skills home, at the same time i dont want her to feel pushed out with having a new baby.

what do people think is most helpful for them and their family when they have had a baby? do you think two full days but not consecutive in order to break my 2 year old's week up a little? or maybe 3 mornings?

thank you x

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movingonup20 · 06/11/2020 20:12

It's up to you and your budget. I didn't have my toddler in nursery though, I felt we needed to be together as a family and it saved needing to be on a schedule. I had no family help.

Findahouse21 · 06/11/2020 20:12

I'd do 3 or 4 mornings as that way I think it's easier to have and maintain a bit of a routine. Or else you'll have a nursrry routine, non nursery weekday routine plus weekend and it all feels a bit muddled - that might just be me though!! When will she be 3, as funded hours may help your bill drop then too.

Flackattack · 06/11/2020 20:23

You’ll be glad of the time as you know they are having fun and being interacted with - you can have guilt free days with your newborn and get a few bits done during naps. I’d definitely do1-2 days if you can afford it. You could do mornings but that time will whizz by!

Greenleaves20 · 06/11/2020 20:35

I’m having my second in May when my LB will be 2. He loves nursery like your little girl does. They do so much with them that I won’t have time to do when BF a newborn and I feel that keeping some structure for him will be good. Also having some time with the newborn and chance to recover from sleepless nights will be nice! We’re thinking about either 3 shorter days (8.30-3) or 2 longer days (8.30 -6).

FilthyforFirth · 06/11/2020 20:47

Having my 2nd in weeks. DS is 3 and currently goes to nursery 3 days a week. Am going to keep him in and keep the two days home with me. I think 4 days full time with me and sibling and 3 days having fun in a nursery he has been in for ages and loves is a good balance. He will be off to school next year so want to keep some sort of routine for him in preperation for that.

37weekswithno2 · 06/11/2020 21:39

I'd do 3 mornings personally

user1493413286 · 06/11/2020 21:48

We kept DD at nursery 2 days spread across the week to break the week up and keep to some of the days she was doing before so that she still saw the same children. I was worried that if she only did mornings that by the time I’d dropped her off, tidied up, fed the baby and sat down I’d be back off to pick her up. I find that the 9-3 nursery day goes quite quick anyway; now she’s 3 she does a full day and it’s that bit easier

Moo678 · 06/11/2020 22:13

My 2.5 yr old has just started nursery two days a week. I’m planning to keep her in nursery those days while I’m on mat leave. I want to keep her in her routine and also I know as a mum of four I’ll appreciate a bit of one:one time with the new baby.

37weekswithno2 · 06/11/2020 22:57

That's a point, is it an 8-6 nursery or 9-3? 9-3 id do full days, 8-6 half days.

37weekswithno2 · 06/11/2020 23:50

If you take her out of nursery would you actually get the place back when you return to work?

DinosaurGrrrrr · 07/11/2020 00:59

With a 2 year old I'd probably do 2 full days spaced out, half days are annoying, my eldest child did them and it was more hard work getting ready etc and running about than it was worth, you feel like you are clock watching waiting to collect them.

olderthanyouthink · 07/11/2020 02:09

My plan is to put DD in for 3 9-3 days while in Mat leave so I have time with (hypothetical) new baby, a break, she will still have a place afterwards and she is happy there. DP does drop off so I would just have to go get her at 3pm.

mamapisspants · 07/11/2020 02:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MindyStClaire · 07/11/2020 03:02

I'm on maternity leave with DC 2, DC1 is 2.5 and has stayed in nursery full-time.

If she's happy there, I say keep her there as much as you can afford. Aside from here enjoying the stimulation and socialisation, it'll keep her in her routine and keep her place so it'll be one less thing to worry about when you go back to work.

Does your toddler nap? If so, if you did half days, then they would be getting home, having lunch and then going for their nap which would give you another break. PP has a good point about a short turnover between drop off and pickup though.

Emelene · 07/11/2020 03:22

My daughter is 2, I'm (over)due any day with number 2. I've decided to continue my daughter at the childminder for her 3 (consecutive) days, at least for the first term or so after baby is born. It's her routine, she loves it there. It will give me time with the baby and also hold the place with our excellent childminder. I think baby will then take her place and she will go to preschool next Autumn when she's nearly 3. I may make the days a little shorter though, but no changes for the first few weeks until we see how it's working for us as a family.

OverTheRainbow88 · 07/11/2020 06:35

Check with your nursery that if you drop hours that you can pick up the extra day again when you need to for work. Most wont guarantee that day you’ve dropped.

Disappointedkoala · 07/11/2020 06:38

My nearly 3yo has started nursery a few weeks ago in advance of DD2 arriving. She does 2.5 days a week. It's giving me time to get some rest now and will hopefully mean I can do some nice things with baby next year, and DD is really enjoying it. The half day is a bit annoying though - I have to set an alarm to make sure I leave on time!

Elpheba · 07/11/2020 06:45

My 2 year old kept going for two days- Tuesday and Thursday from 9-3. Agree a morning would be too short. It was a luxury for us to spend money on that but totally worth it.

raspberryjamlove · 07/11/2020 20:45

So many different views on this one. I am in a similar boat to you although not due until early summer. My 2 year old goes to nursery 2.5 days a week and so long as we can afford it we will keep him in. He has non stop engagement, fun and learning when he's there and when he's at home he's a bundle of non sleeping energy! My view is its best I have some time with baby where I can also squeeze in some naps and rest and get myself semi organised for the days my little boy is at home so I can be more present with him and less tired and grumpy (maybe/hopefully!). The days he is in is split across the week and I think that helps. But honestly do whatever your gut feeling is and what you can afford xx

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