Full-day daycare or half-day preschool plus help, if my partner goes back to work next year?

willow_balcony_6065

Daughter is 3, in a half-day preschool near Hafeezpet. My partner has been on a career break and is thinking of going back early next year. Right now they cover the afternoons. Options as we see them: move her to a full-day daycare, or keep the preschool and hire someone for afternoons. Relatives nearby can help sometimes, not every day. For those who've done either, what tipped it?

3 comments

  • lagoon_moon_7881

    From the grandparent side: we did two afternoons a week for our grandson at that age, and his parents covered the rest with a full-day place. Those afternoons mattered more than you'd think, he got some short days in the week. If your relatives can commit to even one fixed day, I'd build the plan around it.

  • violet_trail_8539

    We've only just started daycare (our baby is 4 months), so I can't compare the two options. What I've found myself caring about most is how pickup works on days work runs late. I'd ask any daycare what happens if you're 20 minutes behind, before anything else.

  • moss_bottle_6234

    Full-day daycare here since my son was about 10 months. What tipped it for us: one person at home is one point of failure. If the nanny is sick, you're stuck that morning. Daycare closes on holidays too, but at least you know the dates in advance. The downside nobody warns you about is the colds. First three months it felt like every week lol

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