Need opinions/experience about going from one day to two days LDC

Hi everyone,

DS is just over 2 and a 1/2 and has just started in longday childcare (LDC) and is currently going Tuesdays. He loves it, loves, loves, loves it. So we have decided that we are going to send him 2 days a week. He is going from about 9amish to about 3pmish.

Just after opinions/experience of when to time the 2 days, ie one after the other (say Mon/tues or tues/wed) or is it better that he goes one day has a break and then goes another day (say Tues/Thur or Tues/Fri)


Also how long is too long to be at LDC? keeping in mind that I am a SAHM and he is going to interact with other kids and be socialised.


TIA

If he has settled fine I think do what is more convenient for you! Normally I would recommend two days in a row but mostly for settling purposes.

Are the carers he prefers generally rostered off on a particular day, has he bonded with any children specifically whose days you can match? I would suggest avoiding Mon and Fri as the most public holidays fall on them and generally you do still pay on those days.

As for too long it is another personal choice. 9 is probably a good arrival time as most staff will have arrived and the room routine should be in good swing but I am inclined to think 3 is too early .. but.its.is a personal decision and it will depend on things such as the program how long he sleeps for, when afternoon tea.is. most social parents at our centre still don't collect untold 4.30 or 5pm but its best if you judge it on how d is.going!

thanks DC. I will check about children and carers and see what days are available. I was hoping to avoid Mon/Fri for the public holiday reason plus if we want to go away for the weekend or whatever...

I was worried that by sending him 2 days in a row that it would tire him out too much but wasn't sure. He has only just started to sleep there so I am getting there just after his sleep last week (2.30pm) and know I need to leave him longer as he only been awake for 15 mins when I went and picked him up but wasn't sure how long I long I should leave it. I was feeling a bit guilty too cause I am not working and sending him but I know how much he is getting out of it.

Thanks again...

anyone else?

Sam's a bit younger, but I've just been talking to our centre about him increasing from one day per week to two.

I'm keeping Friday as one of his days as it generally means he's so worn out that we get a sleep in on Saturdays. :) He's been doing really well and has a fantastic time there, but ALWAYS cries when I drop him off. We're going to two days to make it a bit easier for him, and our other day is likely to be a Tuesday or Wednesday. My thinking was that two days together would just tire him out too much and he may not get much out of the second day. Also, with two separate days it's not such a long time between visits and hopefully drop off will be a bit easier.

BW

Avoid Mondays. Pick any other day that suits YOU. Organise the week around whatever other social/learning activities you would like in your life. :)

A few ideas...
Pick whatever day his friends go
Talk to his carers - there may be a group dynamic he'll slot in really well with, or a child he's never met that they think he'll love. (I know that last place I worked there was a little girl who went Mon & Wed, and one who went Thu & Fri. They'd both have had an even better time if they went together)
Consider two consecutive days as he gets older, so that he can keep momentum rolling on "projects" if it's that kind of place.
Alternatively, split the days so he doesn't end up too tired. It's a very valid decision.
Most of your public holidays fall on a Monday, so it is a good consideration - although there's none left for the rest of the year, so you could do it and then change for next year.

I don't know if that helps at all - pick and choose what's important to you.

thanks ladies, you have given me a few things to think about and consider :D