Stupid questions - nursery Putney

[Tangoandcreditcards]

Can I please ask some stupid questions. I literally don't know where to start. I go back to work when DS is 10mo (ft - in 8 weeks). DP is going to SAHP but has an opportunity to freelance with reasonable regularity from March. So we want a PT nursery place for DS from early next year when he will be 12mo+ish.
First stupid question: how long are waiting lists in Putney?
Second stupid question: what sort of costs are we talking?
Third stupid question: if we put ourselves on the waiting list but then don't need a place, will we be penalised?
Final (least stupid) question: can anyone recommend a nursery in SW15/East Sheen ish or at least point me in the direction of some sort of directory. I seem to be going round in circles on the Internet.

Hiya,

I'm also SW London though not Putney. I looked round 7 or 8 nurseries when choosing. Most had waiting lists of 6 months+ (sorry). A couple had no waiting list.

The one I chose had a waiting list of around 6 months but we were lucky as needed a place for September when lots of the older children left for school and there was some juggling of rooms to allow lots of new babies to start.

Costs here seem to be in the region of £60 per day, ranging probably £55-75. Slightly cheaper per day if you do full time/4 days rather than 1,2 or 3 days. Some nurseries become a bit cheaper when child is over 2.

Usually you have to stick to the same days each week and pay even if your child doesn't use the session e.g. holidays etc. - Not sure how this would fit with your DHs work?

Lots of them make a charge e.g. £20-£50 for a place on the waiting list which isn't refunded whether you take a place or not.

Sorry I can't help with recommendations but would suggest also asking neighbours/other people at toddler groups for their recommendations. In my experience people are usually quite happy to give an honest opinion about their childcare. Obviously best to visit a few too if you can as I found the ones with great looking websites weren't always the best when visited in person.

Oh great. That's sooo helpful. Thanks furtive.

I need to get my head around it, I guess there's not too much urgency as DPs work is up in the air but we need to have some idea and am totally clueless!

You're welcome tango. Good luck with getting something sorted.