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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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Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 14:09

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

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Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 14:08

Their message said:

For business reasons the owner likes to fill all available spaces in September, the start of the academic year. Spaces do sometimes arise thereafter due to children moving from the area but we cannot predict when they will open up.

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AliceTheeCamel · 05/04/2023 11:43

Are you saying that you can only reserve spaces that start in the September of each year, or are you saying that you have to wait longer until Easter 2024 spaces become 'released'?

If the former, I'd be tempted to look elsewhere tbh. If the latter, ask when they will be releasing Easter 2024 spaces/running a waiting list.

BrieAndChilli · 05/04/2023 11:21

surely you just wait until december time to then secure a place from Easter?

Original poster
Teapleasemilknosugar · 05/04/2023 11:01

Toddler will be eligible for funding from Jan 2024, if that makes a difference.

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