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Original poster

Full time nursery for 3 year old?!

46 replies

JC2021 · 15/10/2021 15:36

Does anyone think full time hours at nursery for a 3 year old maybe too much?

My son started in September and does 3 mornings a week, 9 hours in total.

My husband is very keen for him to go full time early next year although I'm on the fence and leaning more towards not than yes!

Any advice on this? Personal experience?

OP posts:
AliasGrape · 15/10/2021 15:38

I've taught plenty of 3 year olds full time in school nursery. The majority thrive, but those who remained part time did just fine too. It really is a case of what you think will suit your particular child and family situation best.

girlmom21 · 15/10/2021 15:40

My daughters been full time since 10 months.
Age 3 it's absolutely fine.

Rosesareyellow · 15/10/2021 15:42

Plenty of people take the 15 hours offered, as well as the 30 hours for childcare if entitled. Surely you know that? So it seems obvious to me that for three year olds in general it’s not too much - whether it’s too much for your DS is for you to know.

Steelesauce · 15/10/2021 15:43

Perfectly fine for the majority of 3 year olds.

Original poster
JC2021 · 15/10/2021 15:46

I would say he is more clingy than other kids I may have seen, he has settled really well doing mornings so he might be absolutely fine!!

OP posts:
SpangoDweller · 15/10/2021 15:46

Babies and children go full time from much younger - of course it’s fine.

Original poster
JC2021 · 15/10/2021 15:47

I totally get some go to nursery full time very young - but we decided against that for a few reasons

And yes I am aware of the 15hrs

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 15/10/2021 15:49

What are you meaning by full time? 15hrs, 30hrs, Monday to Friday 8-6?

I think a balance is better if the parents don't need the childcare for whatever reason (family help, opposing shifts etc). But full time is fine too.

parietal · 15/10/2021 15:49

my DC were both full time from 6 months & are fine because I needed to work

why are you choosing nursery? is it so your DC gets some socializing or is it so you can work? If the former, 15hrs is fine. If the latter, sign up for the hours you need.

girlmom21 · 15/10/2021 15:49

@JC2021

I would say he is more clingy than other kids I may have seen, he has settled really well doing mornings so he might be absolutely fine!!
But don't forget that as other children have gone much earlier, he will seem clingier. He'll be ok Smile
litterbird · 15/10/2021 15:50

My daughter was full time nursery as soon as she could, think she was about 6 months old. She was in a brilliant place that then did school drop offs, pick ups and summer schools. She stayed until she was 11. She is 23 now and still speaks with great affection and passion of her time there. It was a brilliant place and ensured I could go back to my career that I loved. I am still in touch with the people who cared for her all those years and actually going on a girlie holiday with one of them who had my daughter when she first came in as a baby. I have no qualms at all with putting children in full time. Although it was expensive the care and facilities were great and worth every penny.

Squashpocket · 15/10/2021 15:52

One of my dcs would have been fine with full time, one of them not. The youngest only does 3 short days and he's exhausted by the end of week. Older dc could take whatever you could throw at him. So, I suppose it depends on the child.

legalseagull · 15/10/2021 15:52

My 2yo and 3yo currently do 3 days 8am-6pm but for october they're going full time for a few weeks. Tbh it's very long days and they're tired and grumpy when they get home in the evening. I'll be glad to go back to 3 days

ZombeaArthur · 15/10/2021 15:55

My oldest went full time from three as she liked the routine and we felt she’d be more suited to that than part time. She absolutely loved it, was never upset going and really thrived.

My youngest has always been much more clingy so went part time (three full days) last year after she turned three and will be going full time shortly before she turns four as she’s asked to go every day. She also loves nursery and can’t wait to go every day.

Rosesareyellow · 15/10/2021 15:59

And yes I am aware of the 15hrs

Then I don’t understand why you would ask the question - the answer is obvious as you know for lots of others it is perfectly normal to have a child at nursery for way longer than 9 hours a week.
The question I suppose is whether it’s right for your child in particular - but if you need advice on that then you need to share more about your circumstances and your child, otherwise no one can know better than you yourself 🤷‍♀️

MerryMarigold · 15/10/2021 16:02

Do you mean 'full time' at 15 hours ie. 5 mornings. I work in a preschool and all 3 year olds have taken their funded places. It's really not too much. If your child is clingy... There's usually a reason.... And it's usually the parent!

Personally, I do feel 30 hours is a lot, especially if they are not going to school in 2022 and are used to napping (which we don't offer). If your husband is going for you to find a 30 hours funded space at this time, you'll be lucky as they are mostly gone.

MerryMarigold · 15/10/2021 16:13

Is your child going to be 4 before Sept 2022? I would definitely take the ful 15 hours of I were you.

Kite22 · 15/10/2021 16:15

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

What are you meaning by full time? 15hrs, 30hrs, Monday to Friday 8-6?

I think a balance is better if the parents don't need the childcare for whatever reason (family help, opposing shifts etc). But full time is fine too.

This ^

I mean, if you don't need the childcare, then 50 hours would seem more than ideal, but there are plenty of dc who go for 50 hours a week that are absolutely fine. It is what it is if those are the hours you need.

Gonnagetgoing · 15/10/2021 16:16

My nephew who's 3 has had this from I think 6 months upwards bar some time during lockdown when he couldn't go full time as they moved out of London.

He's there from 8-4 every day and to be honest it is too much as he misses his mum (and dad of course) and plays up a bit at the weekend. The nursery staff are lovely and he gets on well with them, the other kids, and learns well, but ultimately he does miss his mum but she has to work at the new job she has.

Gonnagetgoing · 15/10/2021 16:16

@MerryMarigold

Do you mean 'full time' at 15 hours ie. 5 mornings. I work in a preschool and all 3 year olds have taken their funded places. It's really not too much. If your child is clingy... There's usually a reason.... And it's usually the parent!

Personally, I do feel 30 hours is a lot, especially if they are not going to school in 2022 and are used to napping (which we don't offer). If your husband is going for you to find a 30 hours funded space at this time, you'll be lucky as they are mostly gone.

5 mornings a week is definitely not too much and about right I'd say.
SleepingStandingUp · 15/10/2021 16:18

Does your husband want him to go full time so you can work? Or or your son?

Obv a lot of kids are in full time at this age so fu decided against it, it's still fine. It's personal choice

pointythings · 15/10/2021 16:21

It depends on the child, really. Mine were in full time nursery from 6 months and never knew different. In many ways I think starting later makes it harder. What matters most is what you put in at home.

My DDs still run into their former key workers when home from uni and it's always a positive encounter. However, our nursery was very very good and they aren't all like that.

Bumblebee1223 · 15/10/2021 16:21

DD does 4 days, usually 3 8-5 because I am on mat leave with twins. Would never do the full 5 days.

I’m dropping it back down soon, I want to only do two days to be honest.

She loves it, but I’m missing out. 3 is the best age ever and school will steal her soon.

She currently spends more time there than she does with me and it breaks my heart. Don’t do it unless you have to.

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 15/10/2021 16:23

You don’t say why your Dh is keen?

CocaColaTruck1 · 15/10/2021 16:26

Why you leaning to no and your DH to yes?