How do you select a month to start nursery when your child isn't born yet

[Alex902]

The waiting list for the popular nursery's in my area is around 16-18 months. Im wanting to start phoning round after my 12 week scan to book in viewings etc. But what if my baby is born early, how do I predict when my maternity leave will end and they need to start nursery. Im hoping to find a nursery that contractually I can book in for 5 days and then hopefully reduce to 3 and go part time. But I dont know how I pick a start date.

Ours were pretty flexible, we just said 12 months from due date. Majority of babies are born around their due date, unless you have reason to think you’ll deliver early?

We did the same

Just book the earliest you're likely to need it, and 5 days a week. And as you know more you can push it out/cut down days.

As a provider, people are choosing to start termly now, ensuring that they get funding from the start. This often means this is when more spaces become available too. Maybe worth considering, depending on your due date.

Just have an educated guess! You're unlikely to be months out and if you are you'll have bigger things to worry about than whether or not you've got a nursery place.