first time mum and nurseries in Edinburgh

[viola00]

hi,

I'm a first time mum to a 3 month old baby boy. I will return to work after a full year so we still have a bit of time before the subject of childcare enters our lives, or so I have thought until now! We live in north Edinburgh and from what I hear parents start booking places for their babies/toddlers here very early to ensure they get a space at nursery.

Can anyone share their experience of this and in general about finding a good nursery, what to look out for when doing research and visiting, what questions to ask etc. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hello - we used to live in North Edinburgh and I'm not sure if you're after a recommendation or not, but just wanted to say that Forbes nursery on Leith Links is fabulous! Ours went there for four years, staff were lovely, food was good and the garden is huge and amazing. There's at least a nine month to one year waiting list usually, that seems to be the case with all the good ones. Friends told me I needed to be talking to nurseries while I was still pregnant which I couldn't get my head at all around but it was true! Good luck.

It can be crazy in Edinburgh! I went to see one, leaving my 8 week old baby with my mum and they just assumed I was in the very early stages of pregnancy... I was shocked, I was hoping for a place within 5 months (got one eventually, but was very limited in choice).

I'm in South Edinburgh, so probably not much use, but just an encouragement to start visiting ones as soon as possible.

thanks for your replies, we will be starting visiting nurseries soon!

My friend really wanted to use peek a boo in Barton, it has a good reputation. She visited at 16weeks pregnant and paid deposit for a space on the waiting list. Her baby is 6weeks old and she's just heard they will have a place for her baby in May.

I'd get looking and putting your name on waiting lists!