How soon do I need to start looking?

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

Due my first baby in 4 weeks. Whilst I hate the thought of going back to work I have to for financial reasons. Just wondered how soon I need to start looking for nurseries? I’m not going back until March 2021 and would need 3 days a week but want term time only. I live in Yorkshire if that makes a difference.

I recommend you start looking asap
The best ones fill up quickly
When O was looking some said people put the names down when TTC
Some aren’t keen on part time and not sure many will be keen on term time

I was 20 weeks pregnant when I booked DS in.

Agree yo look ASAP as they get filled up quickly

I'd recommend start researching ones in your area - whether they offer term-time only etc; make enquiries and first them once you feel able to. I'd booked my DS into a local one, all agreed (though they don't take deposits) and then a few months before he was due to start (and I return to work) they emailed to say they could no longer take him from the time we'd agreed and it would have to be at least another 6months until they could. They did this to several friends also, so wasn't best pleased and had to scramble to find somewhere else with room that could do the days I needed.

Most nurserys don’t offer time time only spaces so you may find that the problem. Childminders usually happy to offer term time spaces. Once you find somewhere and paid a deposit the space is then yours. However as a childminder I am not allowed to take a deposit for a baby that is not born and sorry would not hold a space open for a year if it’s available now as I can’t afford not to have the income for that space

Depends on the area and time of year want to start... Sept is normally easier as eldest start school so whole nursery often shuffles. Some have set start times, others you need to book in early pregnancy.

Near me it's the fact that you want term only that will be the issue... Really reduces nursery options dramatically. Also depends on the days you want... Tue, wed and thur are busiest days... They will obviously take full time over part time bookings. With my youngest I only got 3 day space (at 30 weeks pregnant) as I could give them the choice of days as family covered 2 days. Unsurprisingly we got nursery as mon, fri and another.
You might be better with a Childminder that only does term time

DD was booked in for 13 months before she started.

Ok will start to look now. What sort of questions do I need to be asking? Obviously fees and what’s included but what else?

I think do a visit and get a feel for the place. One of the really highly rated nurseries in our area seemed amazing but had sooo many kids in the classes that we just didn’t get a great feel for it. Another looked great but had tiny outside space.

I think it’s like buying a house, when you see one you like then you’ll know

For me I needed to know that DD wouldn't just be left to fall asleep on her own in a cot as we've unexpectedly co-slept since birth and she's cuddled to sleep. The nursery were brilliant and they gradually introduced her to how it was done at nursery. She now goes to the sleeping room like everyone else and just nods off contemplating whether to move in to nursery
Ask how they handle discipline. One of the reasons I withdrew my first DD from nursery was because she had been clawed by a child to the point she has a scar and then the following day the same child bit her.
If the waiting list is long and there are plenty of other nurseries around then that's a good sign.
Ask where most of their new children come from. The nursery that DD goes to doesn't need to advertise - it's by word of mouth and reputation that people go there.
How are transitions to the next room up handled? And settling in days.
What can you do at home to prepare for nursery. For us it was adjusting DD's meal times to bring in line with nursery, otherwise she wouldn't be hungry early enough.
Will they give calpol in your absence if DC goes downhill rapidly and you're an hour away?
What's their sun safety policy? DD's nursery supply sunscreen and hats.
Do they go out to get fresh air in all weather? DD's nursery supply puddlesuits and they get fresh air every day. It's at the back of a farm so lovely surroundings. The older kids (3/4) go off into the forest once a week and toast marshmallows on an open fire.

Also staff turnover. If they retain staff that's also a good sign as the children experience stability.

@peekaboob thanks so much h for that.

Been to see my first one this afternoon. Was bloody awful! My niece goes to nursery and have picked up sometimes so not totally blind but this was particularly bad in my opinion!

I agree with others.... It is somewhat like buying a house... You will go into a setting and it will have the right feel for you.
Look at how happy (or not) the kids are. Are the adults engaged, do they seem to have a good bond with kids? Age of adults... Its nice to have a number that are actually parents themselves rather than all very young. Outdoor space. Seperate rooms for different ages etc
Times nursery's open vary significantly. Some shut for 2 weeks over Christmas... But presumably you can cope with that.

It really varies. I looked at 5, hated 2 of those (annoying the cheaper 2 and one of which was the only one to offer term time only), was indifferent to 2 and quite liked 1. Put my daughter’s name on the waiting list for that one. They contacted me a while back to say they had a space 15 months after I’d put her down!! Thankfully by then I’d changed my mind...

As above, have you considered a childminder? Many more of these offer term time only. I found mine to be a lot more flexible with extra sessions, timings etc and bonus a bit cheaper too. As soon as I met her I knew I wanted to use her not a nursery. There are some downsides - eg she had a medical apt one day so had to close, and there’s a risk if she/her kids are ill she will have to close - but equally she stays open if it snows whereas a nursery May close. Swings and roundabouts. CM often won’t know their availability until a few months before - this May be a good or a bad thing for you.