Morning/afternoon pre-school slot 2nd child?

[Isthisthunder]

Hi, do you think an am or pm nursery slot would be better for a second child? So many people tell me mornings are best even for a second child. Dc1 is in school all day so I will be dropping off and picking up anyway. I was thinking afternoons would mean I could drop them off separately so I get a less rushed time with each, esp the youngest one who may benefit from one on one drop-off. I was thinking I could then do something nice with dc2 before lunch and dropping off (without rushing) in afternoon. It would also maybe be easier to pick them both up together as I can go alone (not trying to get younger dc2 out house and rushing to pick up dc1 as currently doing). I originally thought mornings would be better (and do think they are for the first) but are they for the second child aswell? Anybody experienced one or the other and regretted it?

Thank you so much.

Bump

Hi I was all for the morning slot with my first and it worked great. However with my second I changed to the afternoon sessions and honestly it was so much better! I'd take the eldest to school in the morning and have the morning either pottering doing a few jobs while second one played and 'helped' or we'd go out for the morning. Bit of lunch then a nice walk to nursery - I then had an afternoon free to either actually do proper housework or have the house in peace!! Pick up both - feeling quite refreshed even sometimes! With mornings on reflection your rushing to get jobs done while there not with you then boom they're back trashing your mornings work. On the whole it just felt more relaxed doing the afternoons with the second and on reflection I wish I had done the same with the first!!

Surely the biggest factor is whether or not they still nap? If yes then it really needs to be a morning slot so it’s home for lunch and sleep. If not then I don’t see a big difference. That said, we’ve just registered DC2 for the nursery at DC1’s school and providing he’s dropped his nap we’re going to do 2 full days to avoid wasting entire days on going back and forth.

I always preferred morning slot. It was easier getting them both ready at the same time. Then I would have time with the youngest on their own to let them wind down and tell me about their day in the afternoon and let them have a chill on their own before picking up his brother.

How does it work logistically with the drop off and pick up up times?

Tbh I found the mornings dead time, constant clock watching for the drop off time, especially with trying to fit lunch in before hand.

We've gone for mornings as I know DD would be just wishing her morning away after dropping her sister off to go to preschool otherwise. Plus she is often tired and grumpy in the afternoons.

I did consider afternoons for the fact that all our current groups and activities are in the mornings but I think mornings at preschool will suit her better than afternoons

Thank you all for your advice! I do think they definately both have pros and cons. With dc1 I wanted mornings and could only get afternoons and it ate into our day and wasn't great.

@RandomQuest full days sound great and really convenient. The school only offer the 15 hours over 5 days, and the full days for 30 hour placements.

@Mol1628 I see how getting them both dropped off in the morning must feel good and then getting jobs done, letting them rest in afternoon etc.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves that's a very good point to consider. The morning drop off times are close together (only 5 minutes apart) so it would be a rush dropping them both in on time. With the pick up times you have a 15 minute gracing period; i could pick dc1 up first then dc2. I used to feel like the mornings were dead time too with dc1 and that it broke into our day. With dc2 I was thinking we could go somewhere after dropping dc1 in to school giving us plenty time for lunch and drop off. With afternoon's we would be waiting to pick up dc1, probably 6 and two 3's I suppose.

@Bossyboo that's exactly what I was thinking as well. I originally thought mornings then wasn't so sure. Yes I could tidy house in morning then dc2 will trash it when he comes in. At least afternoon would mean after end of day pick ups the house will be in some semblance of order! Then dinner, and hopefully by then they'll be too tired to cause to much destruction! Yes I do like the sound of a nice relaxing drop off for dc2, especially when he'll be so new to it. It'll also be nice to have that 1 on 1 time before he goes in (incase any tears etc) rather than a big rush. I like the idea of going out in the morning with dc2 after drop off or doing some jobs with dc2 helping and a more relaxing afternoon (so much easier just getting self out of the house for a joint pick up). As you say it will also mean you're more refreshed for pick up, dinner and bedtime etc! I guess you'll also be refreshed in the morning too after nighttime sleep so you kind of get a break inbetween. I think I'm going to go for afternoons.

@17caterpillars1mouse that sounds perfect for your situation and like it is working out well. Ds2 seems to get a second burst of energy in the afternoons after a short nap (he only has this because he isn't sleeping well at nighttime). I was thinking he may sleep better at nightime after being busy in the morning with me then nursery and quiet time there (they do bean bag story time) then home and hopefully wore out!

I found in the mornings there were more things going on, toddler groups, classes etc so was easier to drop older dc at school then take younger one to a playgroup, park etc. Then drop them at nursery for lunch and afternoon session, pop home for a few hours to tidy up (maybe even relax!) then go back to pick them both up later.

Obviously everyone's situations are different though.

I'd go with morning. Ime they don't sleep better if they are deprived of a nap. Worse, if anything.

@ParadiseLaundry I was thinking that too. Maybe dc1 will have more energy in the morning as well for us to do things. I think he is more likely to do more at nursery in the afternoon to wear himself out as will be excited and then can have quiet story time to rest (if needed). Dc2 did afternoons and to be fair he slept great and longer at the nighttimes. After about 3 weeks he had loads loads energy for the afternoon too.

@spanishsummers yes that did affect my two when they were younger; it was a huge issue. I find now the nap does the opposite and means dc2 has a shorter nighttime sleep and takes a long time to fall asleep.

Great I honestly don't think you'll regret it!

I preferred afternoons for my younger children as we’d go to toddler groups in the mornings, there’s not many about in the afternoons.

Thanks everyone; i have opted for afternoons! 😊

I will be doing afternoons for my 2nd. It means we can go and do something in the morning and come back for preschool. I have a feeling if she did mornings we would just end up staying at home in the afternoon waiting to pick up DD1 from school.