Pre school - morning or afternoon?

[cmacnew]

We're hoping for a pre school place for our son in September and wondering about the pros and cons of morning vs afternoon sessions. Come September the littlest one will be having one nap (most likely at lunchtime) and thinking an hour or two to myself every afternoon will be lovely! (I am staying at home for the foreseeable future). Equally, some time with each child (baby in the morning and toddler at lunch) would also be nice.

What would make sense for all of us to get the most out of every day?

It would be great to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

[gebbjane]

From my experience I would do mornings. I started off doing afternoons thinking my daughter and her little brother could spend time together in the morning and I could get a rest in the afternoon when he was sleeping. But found we never did much in the mornings as was not enough time before eating lunch and heading off to school. I did however live a fair way from the nursery though(moved house in the summer - which wasn't planned)so that meant we spent more time travelling. If you live within 5 minutes or so of the nursery then maybe afternoons would work.

We subsequently got her a place at the local school nursery which does 2 1/2 days rather than the five half days and this works so much better for us.

[bluesuperted]

We asked for mornings, got afternoons and I have loved it. Baby was 7 months when big brother started so has always slept through his session meaning (now only sleeps then having dropped her morning nap at around 12m). I do usually get a break which has been brilliant for me (chance to email, work, relax etc). We tend to do local morning activities every other day - although didn't do much at all to begin with as 3yo was too shattered. We are 5 mins walk away so I think that does make a difference. We also do post nursery playdate once or twice a week, any more would be too tiring I think.

[Renata Hamvas]

It will in part depend on what is available and how the school allocate places (eg do they have sibling priority). Mornings tend to be more popular.

Renata

[cmacnew]

Hi ladies, thanks for your comments and yes Renata we may not have a choice but at this stage I'm assuming I will be asked for a preference at least, if offered a place.