Trying to find a nursery for my little one

[Question2022]

So I've been trying to find a Nursery for my 3 year old. And every Nursery I speak to they sound keen for me to attend and look around to register but as soon as I attend I don't seem to hear anything back from them.
At the moment I am entitled to the 15 hours free childcare.
They just waste my time, these are private nurseries BTW I think they discriminate against me

Yes you’re right, that’s absolutely it. They are discriminating against you. 🤦🏽‍♀️

Ok why do you think they are discriminating against you? On what basis?

What hours are you asking for, are you saying just the free hours? Are you saying this upfront or only when you have visited?

many nurseries will not accept dc for just the 15 hours because reimbursement rates are too low and they have families who want more hours and only limited spaces

You need to look at school nurseries personally if you are just wanting to use only the free funding. They aren't discriminating but there is a lot of demand so you need to push it.

Why do you think you are being discriminated against? Generally private businesses want people to give them money, so they can carry on being viable businesses. I could understand the discrimination thing if you have, say, a very strong African or Indian accent, and they tell you on the phone there is no space, but then invite your white British friend to come and see the nursery - that's discriminatory, but doesn't sound like the case.

Are you telling them you only want your child to attend for the funded 15 hours?

I think if you only want to use the 15 hours, they basically can’t make a profit from taking your child and so you won’t be a priority.

Thats not discrimination.

What are you expecting to hear back? When I was a childcare provider people would contact me to arrange a visit then contact me to arrange a place. I never chased them.

unless they are full or your child has complex needs they will want you. You just need to book dc in.

Saying no to just 15 hours is not discrimination; it's protecting their business from bankruptcy.

I mention the free hours to private nurseries.
I call them before going in and mention the free hours. They still invited me in. One of them wanted to register me before going in.
Only when I get there I don't hear anything back or they'll say they will contact me and don't.
I am looking at Schools now for a September start.

Yes

What are you to hear back about? They won’t chase you. If you like the nursery you put your child’s name down.

Many nurseries have waiting lists, and people who want more hours tend to be closer to the top of the list!

just because they don’t want someone just using the 15 hours doesn’t mean they’re discriminating against you

I'm not sure what you want to hear back about?

I've used two separate nurseries and both times I've contacted them arranged viewings and then called to organise accepting a place for my child.

Are you expecting them to call you to chase and see if you want a space?

Nurseries are busy and have waiting lists.

School nursery or school school?

What are you expecting to hear? Usual process is for you to call them to request specific hours, then they reply. Did you try phoning?

If you’re telling them all you want is the 15 hours that’s not discrimination that’s protecting their business. Most settings will have waiting lists, my baby was on one when I was 28 weeks pregnant. They will give priority those children wanting as close to full time attendance as possible, otherwise they can’t afford to run. Have you tried contacting them rather than waiting for them to call back? I certainly wouldn’t have expected my baby’s nursery to chase me.

They are a term time only Nursery in a deprived area. They did say they will arrange a settling in session but I doubt it. I will try a school Nursery pace for my child.

They’ll only arrange a settling in session if you want a place. You have to tell them that.

Well if you tell them you want your child to attend then of course they will arrange a settling in session. Why would you think they wouldn't?

You sound quite difficult to be honest. It really doesn't need this much drama.

I think you've got confused. You need to book the space and pay for it. It's only then that they do the settling in session. It isn't free trial sessions like a sports activity, settling is just how they start the kid off when he begins.

After you go for a visit, are you then calling/emailing the nursery after and telling them you want a space?
Or are you just waiting for them to contact you?

OP it is up to you to decide which nursery you like, contact them, get a place on the waiting list or start date, fill in all the paperwork and put down a deposit. Then they’ll arrange settling in sessions when they know when your child is starting.

They have invited you in to look round. You do this before you decide you want your child to go there. This is part of you trying to CHOOSE a place. Have you then phoned them and informed them you want the place, paid them and organise the settling in session?! It would be strange for a nursery to arrange a settling in session for a child whose parent doesn't want them to attend, which it sounds like you don't (in their understanding).