Nursery for first child?

Pre baby no 2 my eldest did 8am-5.50pm 3 days a week with a childminder. We kept this the same for the first month and then dropped him down to 8.30-4.30 still 3 days a week. This was a balance of saving a bit of money, getting enough time with my second but also benefiting from a bit more time with my eldest while not at work. It’s worked well. We could do this as we’re charged an hourly rate. If it’s a day rate you may only be able to save by dropping a full day, but be careful how it’d work if you need the day again in the future. I don’t think all nurseries can guarantee you could have it back.

Pre second baby I was obviously still at work so he did 4 days a week. Now, we just kept our little boy in for his 15 funded hours, term time only so he goes 2 days a week 9-4:30. it definitely helps having something. Come January he will be eligible for 30 hours so he will attend for those which is 3 long days 7:30-6pm for us, and then when I go back to work in July, he won't see much of a change as I am going back part time so will probably stick with the 30 hours, but will be all year round not just term time x

My eldest just turned 3 and has been full time in nursery for 2 years. I’m due in 2 weeks with second. We’re bringing his hours down to 4 full days but we also have the free 30 hours kicking in which is helping. If we didn’t we would need to reduce days to help financially. If I could afford to I would keep him in full time for his own benefit of consistency and preparing for school and mine for sanity of only looking after one. He’s term time only but my partner is a teacher so he will be off for us for holidays x

I've kept my eldest in full time nursery while I'm on maternity leave but we're lucky to be able to do that financially. We'd planned to reduce his hours but his nursery has a waiting list til 2027 so if we dropped them down we wouldn't get them back. 😭 Honestly though it's been great for him - his routine has stayed the same and he gets to do lots of busy loud activities at nursery that I can't do with him when I'm trying to get baby to sleep! Also means he's happier to do quiet things when he's at home which helps. Having 2 is really tough some days so if he was home with me he'd probably be doing a lot of screen time and playing by himself while I look after baby, nursery do so much more with him and he tells them all about his little brother ❤️

I think it all depends on how settled the second is. I have a two year old girl and a 4 month old boy, when I’m working my toddler does 4 days a week but my baby has been unsettled and very high needs from the start and I just can’t cope with both of them at home at the moment so I’ve increased her to full time for a few months. Hoping bubs will settle down soon so I can put her back to 4 days x