3yo in nursery full time with breakfast club and more

[KKAK]

Hi all,

I am looking to go back to work full time in September. I am a primary school teacher. I have a 3yo and 8mo who will be 1yo when I start work.

Their Grandma has offered to look after both but I think that is a lot of responsibility to look after both.

I am thinking of taking my 3yo to school with me (full time) which has a nursery and putting her in breakfast club. Currently she does 3 full days at a local nursery. Then once the children have gone home at 3.15ish I will keep her with me in class until I have finished or put her in after school club on staff meeting days (1 day a week)

My worry is that this will be a very long day for her I'm trying to convince myself that this is not too bad as she will be with me after school.

Is anyone else doing anything similar? Does this sound like a lot of time for a 3yo

Thank you

My 4yo does this 3 days pw. 7.45-5.30pm in the breakfast and after school clubs. I work 4 days so I have both DC (2yo & 4yo) one day, and my mum has both DC one day. He has done this since he was 3 and was exhausted at first but adapted quickly! He actually now gets annoyed if we pick him up any earlier as he likes the sandwiches they get in an evening!

Time wise it'll be fine, plenty of 3 year olds (and younger) do long days in childcare. I do think though that the plan for after will be stressful for you, you won't be able to get much done and they will probably be bored. I would try and get something in place rather than juggling it.

Sorry should add my mums offer was the same, she has the 2yo 4 days per week. We are lucky to be in this position, fortunately she does love it and because I'm a teacher too she gets the holidays. She misses them then!!!

Agree that the after school bit might not work well because she will be tired/hungry/wanting your attention and you will be trying to get stuff done. I guess you can only try and see how it works.

Could grandma just do after school? (If that was part of her offer).

This is what I did with my daughter although in those days teachers didn't have to spend quite so long after school. She turned out fine.

Will after school take her if she isn't school age? I think the plan for 3.15 onwards is flawed. Could your 1 year old do the same as your oldest, and have your Mum pick them both up at 3.15?

I wouldn't keep her in class until you are finished as she will be bored. Would be better at after school club or leaving sharp and finishing your work later in evening if that is not too impractical.

Thank you for your replies.

Yea I think maybe after school with me may be too much. She is quite good at just getting on with things. The school is 15min drive away and little one will be fine with grandma. It will be too much for grandma to pick up 3yo from her current school with 1yo. Her current preschool is only a 3minute drive but she isn't a confident/great driver so I wouldn't want that. It's a very uphill walk and Grandma has knee problems so that won't be an option. My husband works long hours. I think I may trial some after school club days and see how it goes.