What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

We're thinking of putting DD in daycare 2-3x/week when she turns 2 years old. There is a new place opening up down here that will offer part-time. They don't have many details available yet, so I don't know what days of the week part-time will be, but if we're allowed to choose I was wondering what you guys thought was best. Days broken up or together?

2-3 days in a row at daycare then 2-3 days in a row with MIL

or

m/w/f (or m/w) at daycare and t th (or t/th/f) with MIL

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

I think I would go with a broken up schedule. My reasoning would be to give my MIL a nice break in between the days of chasing a toddler around

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

split the week up. i find that the more days DS is home in a row, the more difficult it is to get him to go back without dragging him in by his ankles!!!

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

DS just started 3x a week and we are doing consecutive days.

**Just to add that the days are Tues, Wed, and Thurs. so he is with my mom Mon. and Fri.

Message edited 2/3/2011 12:03:19 PM.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

My kids go part-time. They go Tues,Thurs & Friday.
My mother watches them Mon & Wed. DS has been following this schedule since 13 weeks and he's now 2.5 and it works well for all of us.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

At Sienna's age, I think she would benefit more from in a row.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

I would break them up. DS goes to daycare PT but, our schedule is flexible (we get 8 or 12 days a month and we get to pick which days).

He's so tired at the end of the day - he needs time off in between to regroup.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

DS is 2 1/2 and he goes M/W. My mom is with him the other days. I agree, breaking it up gives her a break. It has worked well for us.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

We do MTW in daycare, Th/F with my in-laws. They preferred that because they can go away for a few days and not have to worry about leaving me hanging.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

DD goes PT 2x per week. Tues and Thurs. I find it helps break the week up (even though we are out every day doing something). But she knows which days are "school" days and really looks forward to it.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

My DD goes M,T and Th

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

Hmm it's kinda split down the middle... but I guess really I should ask IL's what they would rather do! We're just thinking about it for now but I think she would love it and my IL's would get a break... although they never complain but DD is non stop now so I know it's not easy.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

I always felt that days in a row was best. First it keeps the routine fresh for those days. Then if your MIL wants to plan something, go away etc, she has a few consecutive days as well and it wont mess with your child care situation

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

for my girls - it worked out so much better in a row - they go thurs and fri

Would it be full day?

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

my nephew goes 2 days a week - tues/thurs. in 2 weeks DD will be starting the same schedule. MIL takes care of both of them, so it made sense to have them both out of her care on the same day. but i can also say, in the 5 months my nephew has been in DC, you can tell how much he has learned. i don't think it really matters if it's every other day, or consecutive days, just as long as the pattern is the same. he's learned so much in such a short period of time. i'm very excited for DD to start.

Re: What days of the week are best for part-time daycare?

i have had DD go part time to daycare. i sent her 3 days in a row. its too hard on a small child to split things up and figure out what is going on....my DD thrives off of a schedule so there is no way that she would be ok with splitting things up like that.