How do i go about applying for nursery?

[Browneyedgirl3107]

I would like to know if there are nurseries that allow your child to just go for a few hours a week? I'm a first time mum and none of my close friends have children so I have no-one to ask how I would go about getting my child into a nursery. She doesnt have any playmates yet as we have just moved to a new area and I feel socialising with other children would do her the world of good, she's 17 months old and a tad clinging due to the fact that she is always with me and her dad.
I hope someone can advise me as I wouldnt know where to start
I am also new to mumsnet so excuse me if I've gone about this the wrong way. TIA :)

Nurseries have no central application process, just ring and ask. A good starting point is the OFSTED website, which will list all providers within a certain distance from your postcode.

However, bear in mind that if you are wanting her to go for just a few hours each week she may find it very difficult to settle in, which won't help with any clingyness. Most nurseries offer sessions for one or more full days, some may do half days. Lots of toddlers are clingy around that age - my son naturally came out of it at around 23 months. The full social benefits of nursery don't really tend to come until somwhere between 2.5 and 3 years - before that they are usually playing alongside each other rather than with each other.

You may find it better to introduce another adult carer at home - we used a retired lady for occasional babysitting. A childminder or nannyshare might also be helpful: a family may employ a nanny but be interested in reducing their costs by sharing him or her out while their own children are at pre-school.

Ok, thankyou for responding to me.

Have you looked at toddler groups in your area? For example in your local community centre, church or sure start children centre? They are basically drop in 'play dates'. You stay in the room while they play with toys. It'll be a good thing for her to get used to other boisterious toddlers. Once they are 3yo, assuming you are in england, you get 15 hours free (during school terms) at preschool/nursery of your choice. This usually equates to 3 half day sessions or soemthing like that. All the good ones fill up very quickly and have waiting lists. So it might be a good idea to start looking and make enquiries. If you haven't looked at childcare, then one thing to bear in mind is that some offer full day care for 51 weeks of the year for working parents. If you use these type for your free hours, expect to top up with your own money for unfunded hours. Other preschools are for SAHP getting their LO ready for school. They only run term times, and have morning/afternoon sessions (ie no good for working parents).

Thankyou. I took her to tumble tots but the other mums were very clicky and being quite a nervous person I wasnt comfortable at all. Wil definetly start lookin in advance at nursery's for her for when she's old enough to go for the half days etc when she's 3yrs old, and enquire then about availability and prices for her to maybe start sooner. Thankyou for your advice