House move and school starts/childcare - what to do?!

[TheOliveMaker]

Heya!

We have had an offer accepted on a house but now we’re in a chain of four. The house we are
moving into has no onward chain, but our buyers and their buyers are selling.

my question - which I know us unanswerable really!- is are we likely to move by September ?

problem a) I need to get back to work (freelance so some flex!) ! My son is 15 months . Should I start him in childcare here September-January - this means when we move free hours aren’t valid until January in another setting OR do I hold off ? If I held off can I still start free hours somewhere October /November time?

problem b) eldest starting reception . Do I start him where we are? I think that’s probably the only option to be honest . I feel terrible about it - so any positive stories appreciated !

yes it’s shit timing. We started this whole moving business well over a year ago hoping to move well before now - but it’s finally looking positive! Just not ideal !

You won't be moved in by September. Plan for January.

There is very very little chance of you completing by September in a chain of 4 with the property market flat like at the moment.

Helpful already! Just to clarify all properties in chain are under offer and bottom of the chain are first time buyers (and our sellers have no onward)

We were in the same size chain and it took 4 months from offer to completion, and that’s without anything causing any particular hold ups. You almost certainly won’t be in by September.

Things will slow over the summer too, as peoples lawyers and surveyors go on holiday

Do you have a childcare place secured where you are and where you are moving?

Nothing secured where we are going ! Just chatting to a childminder where we are currently who has availability until Jan .