How do nursery waiting lists work?

[FirstAidKitten]

I've had DD2 registered for a nursery since October-ish, to start in July when I go back to work.

A friend wants her DS to go to the same nursery, hasn't yet registered him and will be going back to work in May.

They currently have waiting lists.

Will she get a place before us if one comes up?? Or not, because they are farther down the list than us??

[BMO]

Depends on what places come up, what hours you want.

[Flingingmelon]

Generally, if you want your child in full time, you get in a bit quicker I think.

[Zephyroux]

It's very unlikely that the nursery will hold an available place open for you if your friend is willing to pay for it a couple of months earlier. In all of the nurseries that I have worked in it hasn't mattered when you registered. It's just pure luck on whether they have the sessions that you want available when you want them.

I hope you both get the sessions you want, good luck.

[FirstAidKitten]

Oh gawd. Could be very awkward if my friend gets in first and I then can't... Especially as DD1 goes too. Gulp.

[insancerre]

I manage a nursery and i would give the place to the child who could start the soonest
Unless you wanted a fulltime place and had paid a deposit

[FishWithABicycle]

It will depend on the nursery. Ours had a waiting list in order of when you registered, and as and when places came available they would be offered to the families at the top of the list.

Aside from the smattering of places coming free from people moving house, and occasional people deciding that they will use a childminder/nanny instead, the majority of places are going to come free in September, January and April as children move from the oldest room in nursery to either reception or pre-school - and the nursery shuffles the younger children up and places appear in the baby room. I'd think it would be rarer, but not impossible, for a family to stop using a nursery in July, and even rarer in May, but sooner or later the places will happen for both of you.