When should we start thinking about nursery places?

[Ivortheengine8]

At what age should we start to think about applying for nursery places.
DD is nearly 2 and I have no idea about how it all all works.
I am sure it's too early to be thinking about it but how and when do you start?
We live in London so obviously it will be harder to find a place. Should we start earlier?

OH is also unsure if he wants to stay in this area so what would happen if we wanted to move in the next couple of years? Would we have to start all over again?

[OddBoots]

As soon as possible, a nursery place usually has no influence on a school place but good nurseries and pre schools often fill quickly, people do put their children's names down at birth.

Ofsted is as good a place as any for finding out what is in your area. link

[Alibabaandthe80nappies]

We applied for DS's preschool place when he was 22 months, and just squeezed in.

[reddaisy]

Now. DD has been down for one pre-school since she was 18months and still she didn't get a place. That was the best one in our area and everyone else had been down since birth.

She is now on the list for two others which don't award places on length of time on a waiting list but on catchment etc so fingers crossed for one of them. We don't live in London but I imagine it is worse there so I would suggest you get on as many as possible as waiting lists are free around here.

[sunnyday123]

depends on area - pre schools near me send forms out in april for pre school in the sept. A deadline is set and applications to all are sent on the same day. Sessions are then allocated on first come first served basis. Personally i think its terrible if places go to those who put name down first! So unfair if new to the area!

[reddaisy]

It is unfair, we weren't new but we had no idea that we had to get DDs name down. The last thing we were thinking about during the first few months of DDs life was about where she will go when she is 3!

[Ivortheengine8]

Thankyou everyone. We only recently moved to London also (DH'd choice not mine!!) but yes I can see how it is not very fair thinking about families who have to move around not of their own choice sometimes.

So do you just call up the nurseries and see which has what available or do you need to apply fo rsomething specifically?

[swash]

Here we just had to ring the nursery and ask to be put on the waiting list.

[Ivortheengine8]

Ok, I think I will make this my mission this week. I guess they would tell me if they were full for that year?