Getting a Child integrated into Nursery

DigForVictory

My eldest two went to nursery - initially to hang onto my maternity pay & then because they loved it. Picking the right one was tricky for me the grownup but the right place was obvious - little coot just lit up at all the toys & playmates.

Settling in is so much easier for them - toys, friends, games, opportunities (I never managed a home soft play area other than by lying down & being clambered over). 10 hours is absolutely normal & the nursery staff may well switch shifts so the lass who distracts little 'un as you slide through the door guiltily may not be the same lass who hands 'un back with coat & bag & what we did today (although you may be so crackered you don't realise).

If you feel you must try part time work, by all means do, but leave the door back to full time wedged open. I went part time & the young two made it very clear that even though I was their loving mother, they preferred the nursery for the food, the games, the playmates & that quite frankly I just didn't make the grade.
A year later, they were pulled from nursery to spend all their time with the new baby & dad & life was abslutely wonderful - so I now work full time supporting them & they're happier than pigs in clover.

Work should cope with sudden days off as child is sick - if you can share these evenly with the missus hurrah as that should be two bosses relieved that they won't loose you to every sniffle, bug & so forth.

It *should* all work out smoothly - but keep an eye on your cherub & if they're not happy, consider relocating them. Just give everyone, yourself included, a fair chance.