How far in advance should you register your child for a nursery?

[dolly1]

Says it all really. Expecting my son in April and I don't want to miss the boat. Feel free to tell me I'm planning far to far ahead if you like!
Thinking of the local Montessori from two onwards if that makes it any clearer.
Thanks!

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Depends on the nursery! Why don't you ring them up and ask if there is much of a waiting list? Though to be honest 2 years if probably more than long enough....

[donnie]

at my dd's school they advised me to put her on the waiting list for the nursery as soon as she was 1.

[lostandfoundagain]

i put my dd on the waiting list for her nursery before she waas born, and got a place offered when she 7 mo, but then they have a waiting list of around 14 months so i had to be pretty organised

[bossybritches]

No it's a good time to look now- our baby room is full now (only 6 places) till next year so the sooner the better !

Good luck!

[jelliebelly]

I would do it now if you want to get into a particular nursery. I put ds name down when I was 6 mths pregnant because I wanted a full time place when he was 6 mths old. Most good nurseries will have a waiting list - ring around and ask them what the situation is.

[slinkiemalinki]

It really depends - in c London you have to register for many nurseries and schools immediately on birth. They were confirming places around a year before starting.

[Hulababy]

I put DD's name down for nursery when I was about 7 months pregnant, and she was due to start at just after 5 months old.

A friend has been lookig for her DS recently - he is 3 months old and due to start nursery in May. She found that some nurseries idn't have spaces available for May, some only part of the days she needed. Only a couple had spaces for all the time she needed - and they were not the nurseries she wanted to use.

[CaurnieBred]

Sooner rather than later - I registered our daughter before she was born and I was planning on taking the full 12 months Maternity leave. Now is the best time to visit as you can be objective and don't have to carry around the baby.