Nursery 'full up' so dd won't have a place...any use to query?

[Nyx]

Hello. My dd is 2.8 and I had applied for her to get into my local nursery for when she's 3 (or 3.5 or whatever, there's no rush). It's just across the road from me, close enough for childminder to drop off and pick up if necessary (she goes to a childminder for the 3 days a week that I work). I just want her in for 2 or 3 sessions a week. However, I phoned them yesterday as I hadn't heard anything, and I was told that they were full, and would be for quite a while, and that dd didn't have a place.

I'm disappointed, as I believe it's a good nursery, it's attached to the primary school dd will be going to so I hoped she'd make wee friends there (!), and dd I think would enjoy a few sessions a week there, as does my childminder. She's an only child and likely to remain so, and I want to give her a chance to make plenty of friends! I know I'm probably jumping the gun a bit here.

I wondered if it would be worth making an appointment with the nursery to go and see them, to ask if there's any kind of 'reserve' list or whatever. I wonder if people ever put their child down for a nursery place and then don't use it for whatever reason. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance (from someone battling not to let the disappointment overwhelm her and get grumpy and fed up at work!)

[Mimsy2000]

i would defo make an appointment to see them. most nurseries have waiting lists that you can put your name to. i think speaking to them in person will make clear to them your intentions and if you only want 2/3 days i reckon you should be able to get a place in the next 6 months or so...

having said all that, search around just to be on the safe side. www.ofsted.gov.uk has a postcode search for nurseries.

[Nemoandthefishes]

it is similair here and my dd1 is 2.9yrs. She will get a place next september but nothing in january[term after she is five]there is no point querying IMO as if its full its full.I would ask if your dd is on the list for next sept and some people do apply get a place and then not use it as I have been told there might be an afternoon place for dd1 but they wont know until the end of october as they have to give people so long to take their place. The same happened with ds who didnt start the school nursery until 2 weeks before he was 4.

[babbi]

I would say definately go in and see them. My DD recently started the nursery attached to her intended primary school and many of the expected pupils didn`t not show up for the starting day. Turns out many parents had changed their arrangements for whatever reason (maybe work or a better offer etc) .
Even now a month later there are a few places free in her preschool class .
Really worth looking into.

Good luck

[lucykate]

if you haven't already been to have a look round the nursery in person with your dd, then go!, there will be a waiting list so you can chat in person and also find out how many are on the list above your dd. you should always check out nurseries with a visit, what looks good on paper, does not always suit your child.

[Nyx]

Thank you very much for the quick replies! Well, you have cheered me up a bit and given me fresh hope. I will do that then - make an appointment to speak to someone at the nursery and explain that I'm in no rush, that I only want two or three sessions a week and I'm not worried whether they are morning or afternoon, and hopefully they will tell me that they can perhaps take her later on next year.

I have seen the nursery, albeit very briefly, but I have spoken to various people who have had children attend and it's supposed to be great. One of my colleagues at work actually went there when she was a toddler!

Thanks again, you are all very helpful

[lucykate]

don't forget too, their waiting list may vary for each session, eg, there may be 3 waiting for a monday morning, and just one waiting for a monday afternoon, iyswim. if you are flexible on sessions then you may be able to jump a queue over others who are waiting for particular sessions to fit in around work

[Nyx]

Oooh, I never thought of that. I think we can be fairly flexible - something else for me to mention when I go in to see them. Thanks lucykate