What’s your opinion on this??

Heyy! I’ve just gone back full time today and my little boys who 8 months started nursery.. he’s doing 3 days, Monday Tuesday and Friday and family are having him the other two days. I’ve chose them days as if he weren’t to do the Friday he’d have a big gap from nursery including the weekends x

We done a couple of settling in sessions and while I was off work I put him in for a full day to see how he’d get on and if he was unsettled I was available to get him, he’s took a liking to a certain carer and when he sees her he leans towards her, which is makes the mum guilty a little easier x

It’s worth thinking about the fact that you will probably still have to pay for Mondays even if it’s a bank holiday and they can’t go into nursery. That made my decision to send my LO 3 consecutive days

I would avoid Mondays… too many bank holidays and still have to pay. Fridays I would avoid encase you want to do a long weekend. I’d do Tues,Wed & Thurs

I did M-W with my first, but doing W-F with this baby. Consecutive days was my preference, I find it easier for a routine if we do the same thing a few days in a row, I think it helped with settling rather than chopping and changing a lot etc. I didn’t mind picking Mondays, although warned about the BH’s and I did have to pay the nursery still.. but it was extra time with my boy and less time at work!! Also did some nice trips and staycations and it was perfect having Friday evening-Tuesday evening to have some adventures as a family. I’d definitely go with Tuesday-Thursday.

I work in nurseries, and I would also suggest consecutive days. It support your little one in their routine, and we see a smoother settling in, and it also helps your childs key person in preparing and providing fun and stimulating activities that will support your child's development.

It's worth keeping in mind that your job may want to compromise and specify which 3 days they would like you to work. A friend of mine wanted to work Monday to Thursday, but the company declined this and asked her to work Tuesday to Friday instead as this was more appropriate for the business. So, I would start talking to your job first and get a feel for what they are happy to accept. When I was applying for a now job, however, I applied with Fridays off being non-negotiable as I don't have childcare then. I have found a role, but only the one company even considered me for an interview in my field.

We're doing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday as I preferred the idea of consecutive days to have a firmer routine

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday will keep their routine better and you'll have a nice long weekend together x

we are also doing Tuesday-Thursday although starting with just Tuesdays and Wednesdays initially

From previously working in a nursery, consecutive days work best for babies at a young age! Helps with bonding, routine etc. As they get older too, and if they stay within the setting until school, it gives an understanding on which days they have at home and which they have at nursery. I would also suggest if you are able to, not doing a Monday, purely because most nurseries will still ask for payment even if they’re closed on a bank holiday. It’s definitely worth checking up on the settings policy around that, and making sure the days you pick are actually worth the payment in terms of their closures such as bank hols/easter/Christmas etc. Some will allow a swap (we use to if we have the space) for example swapping a bank holiday Monday for another day within that same week, but some don’t allow it due to all parents then asking -and there is only so many spaces/sometimes non at all for a swap!