Finding a nursery...On the verge of a breakdown

[HeyHoOffWeGo]

Going back to work full time...it was a last minute change to plans as employer kept making changes so in the end we decided it made sense for me to to go back full time than part time. So I've been trying to find a nursery that will take LO on however so many are full or they don't start till 9. I have yo be at work for 8:30. I've tried looking near my work and they don't start till 9, I've tried looking near my home but they are full or require the child to go 2 days wich is pointless for us as well be spending more money than we make on thoses particular days by sending him for 2 rather than 1. Seriously feel like I'm losing the plot to live.

Any advice would be appreciated. Anyone know of any nurseries In the West midlands area that does childcare on an hourly rate?

How odd. Have you looked at a childminder.

In your situation, I would consider a childminder rather than a nursery. They will be cheaper and much more likely to be flexible on times and days.

Nurseries opening at 9??? Sorry OP no advice apart from a childminder - very strange all nurseries I looked at, mum friends looked at open at 7.30/8am, kind of the point when they are used by working parents. For most nurseries You will need to go on waiting lists but they move quite quickly as once someone gets a place they free up several list’s places

Good luck

Strange, most day nurseries open at 7.30
Pre schools and school nurseries open at 9
Are you looking at the right settings?

Good point by Insancerre. Look for childminders - they can be more flexible than nurseries. Local authories will have a list of registered nurseries and child minders. Ask around as well locally, local FB group, like Gossip Girls
When I was looking for nurseries we were advised to look for ones near were we lived so both of us could drop off / pick up rather than near one of other work location.
Used to be really difficult to get full time places at short notice, but there's a dip in birth rate at the moment so you may be lucky

Are you only looking for 1 day a week? Most nurseries won't take some a small amount.

I've never found a nursery which doesn't open at 7:30 so very odd

I would definitely look at a childminder rather than nursery with your requirements. Most day nurseries should open at 7:30/8am though, or they’d lose all their business! Are you looking at ones connected to a school?

All private day Nursery's round here open at 7:30 or 7:45. It's only the school nursery which starts at 8:45.

Agree you need to look at private nurseries which tend to open 8-6 as a minimum. However all I saw had a min requirement of 2 days or 2 half days per week.

Or a childminder.

I'd go with a childminder. Look on childcare.co.uk

Never known a private nursery not open until 9, school nurseries will but not private. DD's opens at 7.15 and that wasn't the earliest either.

Sounds like you need a childminder.

You'll be very hard pushed to find a nursery that will only take for 1 day - it's not worth it for them, they're probably telling you they're full but they're actually not, they just want to keep availability for a child who will be going more full time.

what's your childcare for the other days?

You need a childminder. Mine takes children from 6.30am.

What are you doing for childcare on the other days if you only need one day? Can you not extend this to the full week?

Generally nurseries prefer someone there all day all week. A childminder may have space for a couple of days a week.

I'm really surprised the nurseries don't open until 9am. Everyone near where I live takes kids from 7am-7.30am

Why are the nurseries open at 9? That’s so strange. Most open at 7.30 to allow time for parents to travel to work.

I suspect that only wanting one day will be a significant issue. Most private nurseries will start by 8 am at the latest but they may well have waiting lists and a minimum number of days required.
A cm may be more flexible.

Our private nursery is open from 7:30am for fully paid places but only from 9am for fully funded places.
How old is your DC?

I'm conf, you will be full time but only need childcare for 1 day is that right? Our nursery required children to come for at least 2 days a week, although it could be a half day each time, as otherwise they found they just didn't settle. Is that the issue? That they won't do one day?

Every nursery round here opens from 730ish so I think maybe you're getting confused with school Nursery which tends not to start till later? Also as previous posters have said it's not worth their time to take a child for 1 day as they don't settle. Most people these days need at least 3 days or full time so they'd rather take those children?
You'd probably have better luck with a childminder - they also start around 730 however they have a limited number of children they can have - I think it's only 3 under 3 so they'd also probably want a child doing more days and would save the slot for them?

I also agree all local nursery’s are open from 7.30/8 am until 6pm but it’s rare for them to accept an child for 1 day a week as they don’t usually settle very quickly. You may be able to find a childminder who will offer you a 1 day space but again lots are moving to only offering minimum of 2 days a week.