how do nurseries allocate places?

[DuelingFanjo]

I had ds in December and am very lucky that there is a creche on site where I work. It's a national chain but this one gives priority to people who work where I work.

I filled in the paperwork to apply for a place last summer then called them to check that I didn't need to do anything before going on maternity leave. They said they would be in touch with me. FFW to February and I contacted them again when they promised to call me back but didn't. In April I went to the creche and spoke to the new manageress who assured me she would be back in touch in a couple of weeks. I was given a tour and my details were checked on the system. I also emailed the manager of the chain and she mailed me back to say she was arranging a meeting with the creche manageress and would be in touch.

I heard nothing so called them back today to be told that the meeting never took place and I will be contacted next week when the meeting is re-arranged.

However in the meantime I have heard from work mates who have also had children recently that they have already been offered a place (some time ago) and also someone from my NCT group, who doesn't work there, has a place for one day a week.

I don't want to come over as pushy but I am starting to worry that there will be no place for me. Does anyone know, aren't these things done on a first come first served basis? It sounds to me like I got lost in the system and I am really worried and wonder if I should just look for alternative childcare. :(

Private nurseries are usually first come first served but it depends on what days you want.

So if yo uwant a full time place but someone else only wants 1 day a week and they have a space on that day they will get it.

But if they have a full time place available and someone wants full time but someone else wants 2 days the full time will get it.

Nurseries usually discount full time places, so would not choose a full time placement over several part timers.

You did not imagine your visit, if they are unable to manage a waiting list how good are they going to be at looking after your children ?

If your employer subsidises the fees ask for them to subsidise another nursery and tell them what has happened, they may be able to help you as well.

thanks. I have checked their website and it's definitey first com first serve. They are also supposed to give employees at my work priority. I've mailed them and stressed that I applied last summer and am worried my application was somehow missed.

As far as their ability to look after my children goes it's a very good nursery but I think the manager has changed recently. I can look for another nursery but would rather not given that this one is right where I work.

I would ask the nursery where you are on the wait list, and speak to your friends and ask them when they got offered places and for which days and when they applied - so you have the facts.

I would also demand an explanation from the new nursery manager, asking them to explain why your work mates were offered places, when they applied etc.
I imagine your NCT friend was offered a place because she only wanted one day and they had a day free, but again I'm not sure how this works if employees get priority.

I would also think seriously, if you think you got lost in the system and places were not offered first come, first served that you should complain to Ofsted or kick up a big stink.
Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

I imagine the change of manager is to blame but you have a right to find out answers - even if they admit they were wrong and you got missed at least you have answer.

I also imagine you paid a deposit to be on the wait list (what a scam with nurseries!).
The process is all so frustrating. I guess it's like waiting for a table at a restaurant, if a table for two comes up the party of two behind you get it and you end up waiting for the larger table to come up!

Nurseries charge deposits to protect themselves and subsequently to protect the continued childcare at that provision. All nursery operators are hit very hard financially buy parents who do not pay, who leave without notice, who make reservations they do not keep and then refuse to pay for. ( not a scam )

no deposit was paid or asked for. What annoys me is I handed my application in, in person, and asked what I should expect to happen. They assured me they would be in contact. I asked again before I left for maternity leave and they said the same thing. I was told that because I wanted a space in September it was a nice time of year as lots of children leave and so there are places for a whole new group.

I know one person in my dept had a baby after me (well, his wife did) and he has been offered a place even though he applied around the same time as me.

Do you know what your colleague has asked for e.g one day, two days e.t.c

The lesser the days the easier it it to place, full time places are rare, especially if your are putting your child in at a year or above.

But yes most nurseries are first come, first serve.

Regarding the deposit - I don't mind giving a deposit if offered a place.

I do mind paying 50 quid to simply hand in my registration form to be put on a wait list. I am in no way using up any of their resources. But being charged that amount to be possibly offered a place, at some point, some day in the future (it all seems rather vague and nebulous)I think is a bit much. Not all nurseries do this but most do. I shouldn't have to give one until I've been offered a spot -then I would be willing to give a month's deposit to reserve a spot. This deposit should then protect the nursery from parents leaving without notice, and against those who take up spots who do not need them. Until then I have trouble believing the administrative cost of managing my sheet of paper merits fifty pounds of work.

Sorry I have been dealing with a lot of nurseries lately and find this very frustrating. Perhaps I should have said unjustified rather than 'scam'. Poor choice of words!

DeulingFanjo - can you arrange a meeting with the new nursery manager and bring up all of your points? If other parents who applied after you (for the same days) have been offered places I think something has gone wrong and they should be account for this.