19 weeks pregnant and I've heard I should be signing up to nurseries...?

[G1nger]

This feels all too much like the film Baby Boom, where the mothers are all sat in the park discussing the clubs etc that they booked their still in utero babies into... But is it true? My friend says I should be putting my name down for nursery placements now.

Your thoughts please?

If it helps to mention, I'm in West London.

Thanks.

I think that is out of order. If they take your money it should be for a confirmed place. Im not sure what you can do about it though, if that is the nursery you want.

That's not on. If they take your money then that should be your place booked. It's shocking what they get away with but they know we have precious little choice.

People I've spoken to at work took the option of paying registration fees at 3 or 4 places in case they didn't get their places. At first I thought that was bad, not fair on businesses etc but now I'm beginning to think it is the only choice.

I got on the waiting list for the nursery across the road at 16 weeks PG. He is now 10 months, I'm going back to work in two months and have still not got a place. They say I may get a place in January. Happily, I didn't realise that they also put me on the waiting list at their sister nursery at the same time and I am now second from top of that, so will get a place there if I want it (am going to visit this week). They are Sure Start nurseries so possibly a little cheaper than some?

I am going to visit three or four other private nurseries in the next week or two, all of which do have vacancies. I can't help but wonder why this is - I'll ask when I visit!

Woodlands, you need to ensure your la sure start programme is going to continue as in a lot of areas sure start is in the forthcoming cuts.

I'm also in west London and yes you probably should in my experience! If nothing else make appointments now to visit your shortlist so when baby comes and you don't have the same time to go checking places you can simply register. Good luck:)

Sorry to hijack, but I was wondering about childminders as well as nurseries - my dd is 3 months, and I've already put her name down for a few nurseries (planning on returning to work in march/april 2012) but am yet to get a guaranteed place (it seems that a lot of nurseries aren't able to plan their places out in advance to any great extent). Do childminders have similarly long waiting lists or can I arrange that much nearer the time if nursery places don't work out?

Not sure about childminders, but I know a day nursery that takes children from 3 months - 5 years that is completely full and isn't able to take anyone new until 2013. The waiting list is pretty substantial so would definitely recommend putting your name down sooner rather than later (although obviously, it's not a decision to be made hastily!)