When did you start looking at nurseries?

[Mommabear20]

Just as title states really! DD turns 3 next June so gets her 30 hours free childcare hours starting next September but I'm completely lost with when/where to start!

I started looking in Feb and applying in March for September start this year.

We did the same, started looking in Feb and applied in March, I think, for a September start. It's a case of the earlier the better, especially if you want to look round a few different places.

You'll need to check that the nurseries you're looking at accept the free childcare places, as not all do. (I've not personally come across any that don't, but then I only looked at ones with lower fees.)

And ask what's included with the funded hours, as you may need to pay for food, nappies, etc. – depending on your circumstances and the nursery. At my son's nursery we actually provide the nappies and lunch rather than being charged separately for it (though we can opt to pay for school dinners, as it's attached to a school), but that was unusual for the area – and one reason we chose them.

24 weeks pregnant with DS. Signed up when I was 30 weeks pregnant. He started at 11 months. This time I knew nursery had an 18 month waiting list. Nursery was the third people I told we were expecting DC2 name down since 12 weeks pregnant!