Part time dilemma

[boompi]

I have a dilemma thats been going round and round in my head for weeks now with no obvious answer. I am hoping there may be some wise suggestions from MNetters.
Work have agreed to let me go part time, which I am very pleased about. I go back in May when my dd will be 8 months old. In a week or so I have to meet my boss to discuss my timetable. I need to do 20hours a week at work and 8 a week from home.
My dilemma is whether its better(for my dd) for me to do half days 5 days a week or three full days?(I can do some of the work from home on the weekend when my dh is about) We have her name down at two nurseries, one of which (very popular small nursery) wont offer half days as they feel its too disruptive for babies, especially as they are often asleep at 1pm when parents want to collect them. I guess this sort of makes sense?
Half days will be much more tiring for me as I have an hour commute each way but I (selfishly) cant bear the thought of hardly seeing my dd awake for 3 days a week.

Any advice from more experienced Mums?

Of course this may all be academic as work will have the final say on my timetable!

I have no experience of this but my dd is nearly 2 and I am hoping to go back to work part time soon. If I were you I would definitely do the full days as you will get to spend more quality time with your dd for the other 4 days a week. I would imagine that 5 half days would almost be as disruptive as working full time in terms of getting her up and dressed and out each morning ect. hth.

I have done three full days from DS1 age 8 months - now have 2 boys 7 and 5. Definitely prefer the full days,

If you have 2 full days at home with your baby/children there is a lot that you can do, plus you have days when it doesn't matter if she is too sick for nursery (so less stress) and when you don't have to get up and shovel eveyone out of the door in an hour. You will see plenty of her on the days you work (honestly - it just doesn't feel like it now). She is better being in the nursery for the full days so she doesn't miss out on activities when she is older.

Also it is much easier being at work for a full day than constantly checking your watch to leave "early" and it gives you more credibility with your colleagues I find - you are either there iu you are not and they are not constantly reminded that you are "only" part time. I think you should push for full days - but of course you may disagree!

HTH