Preschool how many hours for 3 year old

[Bellavinci]

I'm looking for any insight or advice into how many hours would be beneficial for my 3 year old DD1 to attend preschool now that she is eligible for the free 30hrs per week, considering that I also have DD2 who is now 10mths old. DD1 has been attending preschool for 2 x 3hr sessions (on Tues and Fri morning) since she turned 2.5 years old. We started her at 2.5. as she is very bright, needed more stimulation and I had just had DD2 and needed some one-one time with the baby. DD1 found it hard to adjust at first as she was still very attached to me but now she loves preschool. We currently pay for the two sessions but as from April she will be eligible for up to 30hrs free. I am struggling with how many hours to enrol her- I am conflicted between wanting to spend time with her whilst she is young-though we don't do as much painting, crafts, baking, trips to the park etc. as we used to because I now have to split my attention between DD1 and DD2. I am also aware that DD2 doesn't get half the one-one attention that DD1 had at that age and so I feel conflicted about what is best for both of them.
Should I send DD1 in for more/longer sessions (5 mornings or 3-4 full days) so that DD2 has more time with me whilst she is so young (and developing language etc.) and accept that DD1 already had lots of quality time with me and now it's DD2's turn.
Or should DD1 go for less sessions whilst I try to do more with the two of them together at home and accept that DD2 will have more one-one attention when she is 2.5 and DD1 goes to school full-time. I want to do right by both of them. Any thoughts would be much appreciated from mums or professionals working in childcare settings. Thank you in advance.

I teach nursery and my children either do 5 mornings or 5 afternoons. I find it's just enough until they start school, unless you need longer for childcare. Some places offer full days, but I find mornings better (afternoons tend to be a bit crazier!!

What days do you work? My ds starts in April and is going 3 days, whilst I’m at work. The other time he’s with me. I want him at home and with me before he has to go to school properly! But I haven’t got another at home, depending on your work days I would try and make sure I got 1 day with Dc 2 if possible .

I guess you have some other childcare for your working hours? I have a nanny - when I had that gap so pre-schooler and baby dd did 5 mornings - but no 30 hours then. I would have preferred fewer full days as it was hard to do anything with ds in between drop off and pick up. Ds is 3 now and does 2.5 school length days I would prefer 3 full days but it's not an option at his setting. We have 1 day together when dd is in school which is lovely. Lots of his friends are at school nursery 5 days and love it.

Sounds like you're a SAHM so only entitled to 15 hours? In which case obviously send the full amount, I think those 15 hours are really needed for getting used to a structured environment before school

If you're at home, I would only send for 12 hrs-ish. Two full days. Plenty of time for fun with dc2, whilst not being full time.

My mantra at the moment is, what will be important in 10 years? You only get this time with them once, and many people don't even get it at all.

Thank you everyone-I really appreciate your responses and I agree that time spent with them now is important as we never get that chance again. I think I will opt for either 4 mornings (9am-12pm) or 3 full days (as I work 2.5 days per week and grandma has her and DD2 when I am at work).

My 3 year old does 15 hours. He is the youngest. He gets lonely when his brothers are at school and he sleeps better on the days he goes to preschool.