Childcare options - help please!

[Lake9mo]

My DD1 is 2.5 years old and is starting a nursery in September that only does half days three times a week. I'm expecting a second child in October so will be on maternity leave from September. I really don't think I can do it all myself.

What are my best options for childcare? Should I put DD1 in another nursery every morning of each day from September? Or would a nanny for half days be the best as she can help with the newborn too and toddler?

Please advise - thank you!

I had two under two and both at home.. it was fine! You'll be fine!

What are you biggest concerns?

Why can’t you do it yourself?

And no, I wouldn’t chop and change. It the nursery isn’t suitable with the hours it offers I would find one that offers the hours you want.

Also had two under two. It's not easy, but you'll manage.

Depends what your plan is after maternity leave. If you're going back to work then I'd find a nursery now for your eldest that can accommodate that. If it's just for socialisation then 3 mornings a week is probably fine, gives you a chance to do some baby groups.

I don't understand. You won't be doing it all yourself, your daughter would be at nursery 3 half days? What's the problem with that?

But she'll be in nursery 3 half days OP?

I think you might just be having a little panic.

You'll be fine with 3 half days at nursery, unless there's some specific
circumstances you haven't told us.

Would be silly to do 2 different nurseries and a nanny wouldn't be worth the money in this situation.

I wish ppl would stop assuming that the OP doesn’t know her own mind or capabilities. @Lake9mo if you don’t feel capable then you do whatever you need to do. 3 mornings seems lovely but if you need more then opt for more.

I’d maybe switch to a nursery which offers close to full time then at least you’ve got the option of you need it. I appreciated just being able to up the hours when felt needed to with arrival of 2nd DC and probably even more so it had EMCS etc. Given that, we specifically planned DC for when DC1 almost at school so wouldn’t have to cope with 2 under 5s at once, especially a mobile baby and you can guess the rest … along came 2020, you couldn’t make it up!! Honestly good job I didn’t have a Chrystal ball as couldn’t have imagined coping and with homeschooling on top too, but you do adapt if no choice

There's a two year gap in between my 2 and had them both home full time, no family around and no childcare. It was absolutely fine and only slightly trickier than having just the one. With your second you already have some experience and perspective, so even if you had a hard time with your first baby it won't be the same.
I ended up sending my eldest to Nursery exactly 3 mornings per week six months after her sister was born, but it was mostly for her benefit, so she could have some fun with some kids her age. The days she was off were easier as her little sister was happy just watching her potter around the house!

You will be absolutely fine OP!

Don't panic! I had two under two and it was fine. DC1 didn't start nursery until the baby was nearly 1 so they were both home with me everyday for the first 6 months until I went back to work.
If your DD will be doing her nursery sessions in the morning, the chances are she'll be so worn out that she'll have a good nap afterwards so most of those days will be taken care of. That leaves only two weekdays when you'll have them both. Find a toddler group, bounce and rhyme at the library, toddler gym class or something to do on at least one of those days. The key is to get out the house everyday.