5 half day sessions or 2.5 full days?

[jetcatisfrozen]

My 3yr old DD has just started morning sessions at a school nursery, which she loves My friend has her sons name down at another school nursery - he is not due to start for a few months yet.

But, the nursery have just wrote to her saying that as the free hours are now being increased to 15, she has the choice of either morning or afertoon sessions for 5 days a week, or for 2 full days with one half day session.

I will be checking with my nursery on monday, but thought i would ask here aswell - is this what all school nurserys are going to offer? Mine already does the 15 hours i think, as we can drop off anytime between 8.30 and 9, till 11.30.

Any thoughts - and sorry if a bit jumbled, said DD is trying to flood the bathroom!

All 3 yr olds should be entitled to 15 hrs a week. the opening hours of your preschool will be down to the preschool so if they are open 9-3 then you could use the 15 hours over 2.5 days.

Which is best will depend on your dd and your personal circumstances of course.

At our pre school you can (subject to spaces) take whichever combination of sessions suit you and your child best.

HTH

thanks jobhunters - i will ask on monday. I dont work at the moment, but am trying to finish an english degree with the OU, and having 2 full days of study would really help!

it is still only 12.5hours free here so not all areas offer 15 hours yet

I don't think 15 hours is happening everywhere until September. Also some places will only be open on the mornings do could only offer morning places.

Settings will be offering 15hrs of Free Early Education Entitlement from September 2010. Some (pilot areas) settings may already be offering the 15hrs, but many are still only offering the 12.5hrs.

From September, there is a massive push towards flexibility, and settings will be encouraged to offer the Entitlement as flexibly as possible though obviously within the restraints of their personal situations.

Full-day care nurseries will have no problems doing this, but small playgroups etc will find it more difficult. You really need to speak to your provider.

hth