2.5 days or 5 half days?

[letthechildrenboogie]

Hi all,

Currently applying for my DS to start preschool in September 2024. We will be using just 15 hours. I am unsure whether to request 5 mornings or 2 full and 1 half days. DS be 3 in the October so 2yrs 11 months when he starts. How did your little ones cope with each?

I am a SAHM and hoping to have another little one by then as well, so likely I will be at home. It is more about what he will be comfortable with.

Thank you!

I've had DC doing both, and I preferred 2.5 days as I was not rushing around for 5 days, still had time to do other things with them on the other 2 days off, and having 2 full days to myself which helped my mental health loads. My DC preferred the 2.5 days as well.

Yes, I agree, from my perspective as a parent 2.5 day was better than 5 days. Dc1 then dc2 did sessions over 4 or 5 days. Everything always felt rushed particularly with dc2 as I was doing school runs for dc1 so never seemed to be able to get on with anything in between the drop offs/pick ups. Dc 3, 4 & 5 all did a Wednesday pm then all day Thursday & Friday & it was so much easier (it also meant that I could get the house sorted on a Thursday & Friday ready for the weekend).

Thank you both, very helpful! I forgot to add in the op that the preschool I visited recently did also recommend doing 2.5 days if possible so they can get to know him better and he has lunch there.

I guess I'm just struggling to imagine DS gone for 6 hours of the day! But I'm sure by then he will be ready for it

If he's 2 yrs and 11 months at the start then he may still be having a nap. If so, half days work best as he'll get so tired. He may have dropped it by then though!

I personally found half days best for my DC. I would pick them up and come home for lunch and nap time. They liked only going for a shorter time but transitioned fine to school. My niece does 2.5 days and is exhausted at pick up due to not napping.

I can see why 2.5 days is easier as a parent though. The half days can be a bit limiting in terms of days out with your toddler or going to baby groups.

Generalisation I know, but I'd say 2.5 days is better for you, as a parent. Both from the pov of you being able to go out somewhere with your dc - whether that is a day trip or something like going swimming - but also for you to be able to do something that is easier for you to do without him - dental appts, smears, haircuts, Christmas shopping, and so forth.

Purely from the child's pov - it depends a bit if there is a majority that do things one way of another at the Nursery you are looking at.
I think the sleeping in the day is also a good point - seems a bit of a waste for them to be sleeping for 90mins or even more or the time they are at Nursery.