Cant make decision re DD's nursery during mat leave and beyond

[jumpyjan]

Would really appreciate some advice as I just cannot make a decision. I have still a while to decide as won't be on mat leave until April but I really want to have a plan asap.

DD currently goes to nursery 3 days a week. All has been great in the baby room but I have some reservations about the bigger room which she would move into in May. Its hard to say exactly what my issue is with it but I just don't get the same feeling of confidence I have with the baby room and the staff there.

I originally planned to keep DD in nursery for a couple of half days when I was on mat leave so she stays familliar with it as I just assumed she would go back there 3 days a week after my mat leave (along with her brother/sister). Briefly toyed with the idea of not going back to work at all but now realise financially not an option.

So do I:

Take DD out of nursery and keep her at home full time while I am on mat leave (would this be too much of a change with new baby?)

Keep her going for half days and see how it goes in the big room.

Look into other nurserys/childminders.

Would love to know what other mums have done during mat leave.

Sorry for the rambling long post!

I'd try and minimise the changes she will need to go through. So leave her in the same nursery for half days and see how it goes. It will give her a bit of stability (obviously as long as the new room is ok, and if it's not, you can take her out and have not lost anything IYSWIM)

My dd was at nursery full time, and I cut her hours when I went on mat leave. It was good for her to have some normality and good for me to get some time just with ds.

My view for what it's worth is that you should ditch the nursery after about 3/4 months of your mat leave (you don't want to change too much at once), and get a nanny. The cost of 2 kids at nursery works out at more or less the same as a nanny, and with a good nanny you get lots of extra benefits, i.e.:

Kids looked after in their own home
Kids washing and cooking done
One to one/two care

If you find someone good you can offer her 2/3 half days a week until you return to work then up it to the 3 full days. This way you'll get to see what's she's like, and train her up, before you leave her unsupervised with your kids.

To a certain extent the ease with which you'll find someone good depends on where you live. There are loads of good nannies in London, but may not be so easy elsewhere.

I've always had nannies (well, only 2 so far) both of whom have become good friends. The kids have absolute security, lots of love and continuity, and my life is easier as I don't have to get everyone up and out every morning (on the days I work). I wouldn't dream of using a nursery now.

I definitely wouldn't take her out of nursery completely, particularly for the first few months, if you can manage it financially. My dd1 went down from 4 days a week to 2 days a week, then back up to 3 days - I had a really hard time with breastfeeding in the early days with dd2 and having some days alone with just the baby kept me sane as well as providing some continuity for dd1.