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Original poster

Securing a place for second DC

80 replies

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 11:00

So my toddler is in a nursery for 2 days a week. Loves it there, has adored going and been totally happy attending since 11m (now 2.5yrs).

Baby number 2 is arriving imminently. I am taking a year for Mat Leave and the toddler is still going to continue nursery during that time.

I've approached the nursery for a space for baby number 2 from Easter 2024, happy to pay a deposit now to secure the place etc, so both DC would then attend same nursery on the same days when I go back to work. They have said they only guarantee spaces for September this year and can't guarantee a space from Easter 2024 (even if we were to pay the deposit).

How do others handle this situation? Is it the same in other nurseries too? It's a private nursery, year round, not attached to a school or restricted to term times.

Is our only option to find a new nursery setting for both DC?

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MoltenLasagne · 05/04/2023 16:14

That's not the same as our nursery, thank goodness, but I do think it's quite common as a few people I know have to do double drop offs due to not getting second child into the first nursery initially.

turtlemurtle1982 · 05/04/2023 16:13

I don't think private nurseries have operated like this but I'd imagine that with rising costs they're looking to maximise numbers so they're not losing out in revenue by having months and months with 'space' that they're holding for a child starting months later. Could you go on a waiting list from September? They may not fill any gels in September anyway.

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 16:07

Wellillsayitifnooneelsewill · 05/04/2023 16:06

what?!?! How does that even work?????

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This is why I'm wondering if all private nurseries are the same or what other working families do?!

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Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 16:07

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/04/2023 16:02

Did you mean to quote someone else here as you've not really answered my post in the comment.

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No it was a response to you. I can't check in with them after Christmas break, it'll be too late due to notice periods at work.

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Wellillsayitifnooneelsewill · 05/04/2023 16:06

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 16:05

I'm talking about baby joining a baby room. Apparently babies only start in September.

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what?!?! How does that even work?????

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 16:05

Wellillsayitifnooneelsewill · 05/04/2023 16:04

I’m confused. If you are talking for a baby do they only take babies in September or are they thinking you mean for a funded nursery place for your older child?

Surely all nurseries take babies into the relevant room at the age appropriate time for that individual child and they all move up to the next room when they reach milestones or stages?

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I'm talking about baby joining a baby room. Apparently babies only start in September.

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Wellillsayitifnooneelsewill · 05/04/2023 16:04

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 14:09

No mention of a waiting list, and they cannot guarantee a space will be available at Easter 2024.

I’m confused. If you are talking for a baby do they only take babies in September or are they thinking you mean for a funded nursery place for your older child?

Surely all nurseries take babies into the relevant room at the age appropriate time for that individual child and they all move up to the next room when they reach milestones or stages?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/04/2023 16:02

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:12

I can't unfortunately due to notice periods at work, I'd have to leave my job.

What do other working families do?

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Did you mean to quote someone else here as you've not really answered my post in the comment.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/04/2023 16:00

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:09

I could pay a £250 deposit now but it wouldn't secure a place.

I could pay a £250 deposit now and for the space for 2 days a week from September so a further £3275 for the (unused) 6months.

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But equally you are asking the nursery to essentially lose this 3k by turning a possible other customer away and keeping the space empty at a financial loss to them.

MaggieFS · 05/04/2023 16:00

It's not normal, but I understand it because if they can fill ALL spaces in September then that's better than holding a space open up until Easter.

If you definitely want this nursery, I think the best you can do is wait until the end of September and check the lie of the land. If by then they still wouldn't commit to a place, there's no point because you can't plan.

TeenDivided · 05/04/2023 15:58

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:50

So you're suggesting that no-one starts nursery unless it's September then?

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I think the point is that children are only guaranteed to leave nursery at the end of August/start Sept as they start school.

A nursery needs to run at full capacity to stay viable, they can't hold a place for you for 6 months without you paying full rate.

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:55

HAF1119 · 05/04/2023 15:53

I know this won't fully fix it, but quite a few children at nurseries do term time only so you would be likely to get a place at the start of the summer holidays (so late July) as opposed to September.

I did have a childminder myself and wanted to switch to a nursery, wasn't places in Jan when I tried but when a child left in March mine was taken on

Very not guarenteed. Worth looking at a childminder as you may need them at least short term

Our nursery don't offer term time only, it's full year round or nothing, don't know why 🤷

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Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:54

LIZS · 05/04/2023 15:18

Do the drop offs not depend on where the second location is? Or you drop both to a cm and they take dc1 to nursery. Could it really not work short term? Could you extend your ml or your oh take some parental leave to cover to September?

No option to extend mat leave and no option to tack on annual leave to extend either. DH cant take parental leave as there isn't anyone to cover his role - he's not taking/can't take pat leave for the same reason (but that's another infuriating story in itself) 😔

I'll have a look into childminder as a wraparound for drop-offs l. Hadn't considered that, thanks.

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HAF1119 · 05/04/2023 15:53

I know this won't fully fix it, but quite a few children at nurseries do term time only so you would be likely to get a place at the start of the summer holidays (so late July) as opposed to September.

I did have a childminder myself and wanted to switch to a nursery, wasn't places in Jan when I tried but when a child left in March mine was taken on

Very not guarenteed. Worth looking at a childminder as you may need them at least short term

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:50

gogohmm · 05/04/2023 15:23

Think about it from their perspective - in September they loose lots of children to school each year so they can be sure to have places, otherwise you are relying on someone pulling their child from the nursery other than to start school, the only way they can guarantee you a place is to keep it empty from September to April, this simply isn't viable. They will know their normal turnover rate and I'm sure if you reserve a place and one came up sat in January you may be able to negotiate a retainer but they can't predict it yet.

So you're suggesting that no-one starts nursery unless it's September then?

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gogohmm · 05/04/2023 15:23

Think about it from their perspective - in September they loose lots of children to school each year so they can be sure to have places, otherwise you are relying on someone pulling their child from the nursery other than to start school, the only way they can guarantee you a place is to keep it empty from September to April, this simply isn't viable. They will know their normal turnover rate and I'm sure if you reserve a place and one came up sat in January you may be able to negotiate a retainer but they can't predict it yet.

LIZS · 05/04/2023 15:18

Do the drop offs not depend on where the second location is? Or you drop both to a cm and they take dc1 to nursery. Could it really not work short term? Could you extend your ml or your oh take some parental leave to cover to September?

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:12

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/04/2023 14:29

Unless you are willing and able to pay for those two days for the baby from September, whether you use them or not, I can't see why they would be able to keep a spot empty to guarantee your baby's place 7 months later.

This is just one of those risk it and see things. Check in with them after the Christmas break.

I can't unfortunately due to notice periods at work, I'd have to leave my job.

What do other working families do?

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LIZS · 05/04/2023 15:11

Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:09

Do all private nurseries operate in this way?

No, they don't.

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:10

LIZS · 05/04/2023 14:34

Or you could book for September 2024 and find a short term option like a cm,

Two separate drop-offs isn't manageable unfortunately

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Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:09

Do all private nurseries operate in this way?

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Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 15:09

LIZS · 05/04/2023 14:27

So could you pay a retainer from September?

I could pay a £250 deposit now but it wouldn't secure a place.

I could pay a £250 deposit now and for the space for 2 days a week from September so a further £3275 for the (unused) 6months.

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LIZS · 05/04/2023 14:34

Or you could book for September 2024 and find a short term option like a cm,

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 05/04/2023 14:29

Unless you are willing and able to pay for those two days for the baby from September, whether you use them or not, I can't see why they would be able to keep a spot empty to guarantee your baby's place 7 months later.

This is just one of those risk it and see things. Check in with them after the Christmas break.

LIZS · 05/04/2023 14:27

So could you pay a retainer from September?