Baby is 10 months old, I need to start working.

[NarminM]

Help and advice is needed:
My DS is 10 months old, I have not been working since he was born. Now I have to work because of financial conditions and I have a job offer. I am not a UK citizen and not familiar with childcare options for under 1's. Researched a little bit, but could not come up with a valid answer. I guess the only option is a private nursery? Any advices?

Nurseries, a nanny (usually 1:1 childcare in your own home), childminder (usually a small number of children looked after in the childminder's house).

If you take a child to a setting (Nursery, preschool or childminder) it will be Ofsted registered and inspected to the same standards no matter what type you feel comfortable with. They also work to the same standards the difference is in the scale and way it is delivered. Nurseries can have rooms separated by age (in most cases) so a baby room a Toddler room and a pre schoolers room, A preschool tends to take children from 2 and is often in one room or classes but not always by age. Childminders work from home can have up to 3 under 5 (normally but can self vary to have up to 6 under 5 in some circumstances for a short time) or they can work with assistants or cominders and have more children. They tend to be more homely but still offer the same experiences.
Go and see and few of each type and see how you feel.

You can use a nursery, childminder or nanny. Most 'pre schools' only start at 2 (and those attached to primary schools perhaps at 3) and there are some private nurseries that won't start until 2 as well. But it's normal to go back to work from 9-12 months, so you will find plenty of nurseries that take them from 9 months (or even earlier). My first started at nursery at 9 months and 2nd starts next month at 11 months.

I would caution though that at this late stage, you may struggle to find a place if you haven't already gotten on a waiting list. I booked my ds in for a couple half days in November (to start next month). I also unexpectedly received a job offer (and a promotion) that I can't really turn down or delay. It's been a struggle to get more days on only a month's notice. I've managed to secure 2 full days, but need to go back 3 days to start, so my dh will take off one day a week to stay home with him. I'm praying we manage to get some extra days by the summer when I need to go back full time.

What will your working hours be? That may determine which form of childcare you can use.