Is part-time or full-time nursery better for my child?

A common question asked by parents when choosing a nursery is what’s best: full-time nursery or part-time? The answer is influenced by your child, your family routine, your work commitments and financial situation. In this guide, we explore the pros and cons of both options to help you decide what’s right for your child.

At a glance

• Full-time nursery offers routine and school readiness. Ideal for working parents and children who thrive on structure and daily social interaction.
• Part-time nursery provides flexibility and balance. A good option for younger children or families with part-time or flexible schedules.
• Your child’s age and personality matter.  Some children settle better with shorter sessions, while others benefit from consistent full-week attendance.
• There’s no single answer to suit everyone. The best choice supports your child’s wellbeing, fits your family routine and should work financially for you.

What is part-time nursery?

Part-time nursery usually involves attending a few days per week or half-days (mornings or afternoons).

You may choose part-time nursery hours of around 25 hours a week.

This option is popular with families who have flexible work schedules or want a gradual introduction to group care.  

Many community-based settings and independent nurseries throughout the UK offer part-time spaces to accommodate local families.

Benefits of part-time nursery

1. Gentle transition

Part-time attendance can help younger children adjust gradually to being away from home.

2. Balanced home and nursery time

Children enjoy social interaction while still spending significant time with parents or carers.

3. Flexibility

Ideal for parents working part-time, freelancing, studying, or on shared parental leave.

Part-time nursery can offer parents a mixture of child bonding and professional engagement. 

Part-time nursery allows you to be more hands-on with your child, but requires some juggling.

One mum posting on Facebook [Zoë McIntosh] said “I studied part time with the OU [Open University] with 2 little ones as a single mum with a part time job.”

4. Lower costs

Fewer hours typically mean lower fees, which can ease financial pressure.

How much does part-time nursery cost?

The average weekly cost for part-time (25 hours) childcare in Britain in 2025 including funding is highlighted in the table below, which is based in Coram figure.

	England	Scotland	Wales
Nursery for child under 2	£70.51	£122.38	£155.04
Nursery for child aged 2	£66.34	£124.75	£146.15
Childminder for child under 2	£59.76	£137.79	£127.65
Childminder for child aged 2	£57.75	£130.05	£129.33

Things to consider: Part-time childcare

• It may take longer for children to fully settle into routines.
• Limited availability in high-demand areas.
• May require combining with other childcare arrangements.
• You as a parent will need to manage and possibly combine with other childcare arrangements.  

What is full-time nursery?

Full-time nursery typically means your child attends for most weekdays, often 8am-6pm, five days a week.

Full-time nursery is 50 hours a week.

Many nurseries across the UK, including leading providers offer flexible full-time packages tailored to working families.

Benefits of full-time nursery

1. Consistent routine

Young children thrive on structure.

Attending nursery every weekday helps build a predictable routine, which can support emotional security and confidence.

2. Stronger social development

Daily interaction with the same group of children encourages friendships, teamwork and communication skills.

3. School readiness

Full-time nursery provides regular exposure to early years learning activities aligned with the government’s early years goals, helping children prepare for school.

4. Ideal for working parents

For families working full-time hours, full-time nursery offers reliable childcare without needing additional arrangements.

Parents, particularly may finding full-time work provides personal identity and better work-life balance.

How much does full time nursery cost?

The average weekly cost for full-time (50 hours) childcare in Britain in 2025 including funding is highlighted in table below based on Coram data.

Full-time (50 hours) childcare costs	England	Scotland	Wales
Nursery for child under 2	£238.95	£239.78	£290.06
Nursery for child aged 2	£225.70	£235.49	£279.14
Childminder for child under 2	£202.09	£259.53	£259.51
Childminder for child aged 2	£198.59	£259.67	£251.30

Things to consider: Full-time childcare

• Higher monthly costs.
• Longer days may be tiring for some children, particularly under age two.
• Less weekday time at home.
• You may worry about missing out on daily adventures with your child. If you have the financial luxury to go full-time, bear in mind that you will never get that time again with your child when they are young. Time will go so fast.
• Some parents do not have a choice and must have their child in full-time nursery as they must work full-time to pay for their cost of living and have no childcare assistance from family.  For example, one mum described her experience how her full-time nursery hours work for her.

In a Reddit post, under the name [brolly_parton], one mum said: “I shifted to an 8-4:30 rather than 9-5:30 so I can do nursery pick up.

“I get up before 6 and am out the door just after 7, hopefully my daughter will have woken up before I go, so I can see her briefly.

“Husband gets her dressed and ready for nursery, he drops her off at 8 (basically as soon as it opens).

“I get back from work just in time to get her from nursery between 5:45 and 6 – it closes at 6 so sometimes it’s cutting it fine! I bring her home and give her dinner, husband gets home about 6:45 and then we start bath/bedtime routine at about 7:30.

“So basically she’s in nursery for the whole opening hours every day, but it literally wouldn’t be possible for her to be there for a shorter amount of time.”

Full-time Vs Part-time nursery: Factors to help you decide

1. Your child’s personality

Sociable, energetic children may thrive in a full-time environment.

More sensitive or younger children may benefit from starting part-time.

2. Age of your child

Babies and toddlers often adapt well with shorter sessions initially.

Preschool-aged children may benefit from more consistent attendance to build school-readiness skills.

3. Family work schedule

If both parents work full-time, full-time nursery may provide stability. If one parent works part-time or from home, part-time nursery could offer the perfect balance.

4. Financial considerations

You should check your eligibility for funded childcare hours.

For example, in England, working parents may be entitled to 15 or 30 hours of funded childcare, which can significantly reduce costs.

Can you switch between full-time and part-time nursery?

• In many cases, yes – depending on availability.
• Some families start with part-time sessions and gradually increase days as their child grows in confidence.
• It’s always best to speak directly with your chosen nursery about flexibility.

So, what’s best: Part-time or Full-time childcare?

Both full-time and part-time nursery provide valuable opportunities for learning, social development and independence.

The best choice is the one that:

• Supports your child’s wellbeing.
• Fits your work-life balance.
• Feels manageable financially.
• Aligns with your family values.

If you’re still unsure, remember: flexibility is key. Children’s needs change quickly in the early years, and many families adjust their nursery arrangements over time.

The most important factor is choosing a nurturing environment where your child feels safe, happy and supported to grow.

Describing the benefits of nursery in general,  one mum [Lottie Lifts] posts on Reddit:

“Finding stuff to do with an active 13 month-old is so hard!

“I’ve spent a fortune on soft play because of the rain, thinking of what to feed him three times a day and dealing with the clean up, chasing him around.

“It’s not like the chill maternity leave days where we went on nice long walks while I browsed the shops, lunches with friends, baby cinema etc.

“I feel like I get to just be ‘me’ at work, look forward to seeing him afterwards and have so much more patience for playtime at the weekends. The kind of stuff they do at nursery I’d never do at home, and the variety of stuff as well.

“I’ve also enjoyed feeling more of an equal with my husband when it comes to house stuff and baby stuff.”

How can I find the right nursery?

Whether you’re considering full-time or part-time care, visiting nurseries, speaking with staff and reading parent reviews can make a huge difference.

At daynurseries.co.uk, you can compare nurseries in your area, read verified reviews and explore different attendance options to find the setting that feels right for your child.

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