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Nurseries

Find nursery advice from other Mumsnetters on our Nursery forum. For more guidance on early years development, sign up for Mumsnet Ages & Stages emails.

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Original poster

Waiting list priorities

13 replies

MyLittleToe · 17/01/2023 09:32

I have had my child on the waiting list for nursery since Feb 2022 to start in April this year. I was told at the time that I should be able to get a place as I was near the top of the waiting list
I have just been told by the nursery that they may not get a place as we are not near the top of the waiting list and if they are offered a place it will probably be in the next few weeks and I will have to pay for the time they are not there to keep the space for April.
I have already got children attending the setting, one full time and 3 in breakfast and after school club.
I asked if we were a priority as I already have children in the setting and I was told no. In my children's previous nurserys ( albeit in a different city) it was common practice for siblings to get priority like schools would.
They are unable to tell me if I can have a place now to give me time to sort out something else before I go back to work full time.
Is this usual for nurseries or are they being unreasonable.
I don't have time to make other arrangements, they are the only nursery I could practically get to so I can be at work on time and all the other setting are full and did their lists weeks ago.
Im so stressed.
If I am unable to get it sorted I won't be able to go back to work.
Any ideas? Shall I email the manager and explain the situation, especially as they will lose my 4 other children from the setting if I can't get a place?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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unvillage · 17/01/2023 13:02

April is an awkward time to start. They will likely be almost completely full until September and from a financial perspective it doesn't make sense to have a space available and waiting for you that could be filled now.

Why are you set on April? Could you child start now if a space is offered, or could you wait until September?

Original poster

MyLittleToe · 17/01/2023 13:29

unvillage · 17/01/2023 13:02

Why are you set on April? Could you child start now if a space is offered, or could you wait until September?

They could start now, it's the fact they are leaving me hanging without an answer that's making me annoyed. I go back to work in April which is why we thought April.

OP posts:

Walrus6 · 17/01/2023 15:58

Could you speak to the manager in person or by phone to establish what the situation is? It seems strange that they don’t yet know if they will have a place available. Does it rely on someone leaving? Ask to see their wait list policy. Could they offer a part time place until more days come up?

jannier · 17/01/2023 17:44

Ring other settings including childminders if necessary put both in the new setting.

walkinthewoodstoday · 17/01/2023 20:09

I don't know, but I got on a waiting list 12 months in advance (eg as soon as baby was born). Allowing 4 months isn't that long.

Beees · 17/01/2023 20:13

walkinthewoodstoday · 17/01/2023 20:09

I don't know, but I got on a waiting list 12 months in advance (eg as soon as baby was born). Allowing 4 months isn't that long.

She's been on the waiting list almost a year, it says so at the very start of her post.

I'd definitely be looking for another setting ASAP as they most likely won't have any space. Shocking poor planning on their point though given your other children and how long you've been on the list and poor of them not to communicate it sooner.

walkinthewoodstoday · 17/01/2023 20:25

Oops got the years wrong. Was thinking Feb this year- which isn't even possible. In that case, it's ridiculous

Original poster

MyLittleToe · 17/01/2023 22:33

walkinthewoodstoday · 17/01/2023 20:09

I don't know, but I got on a waiting list 12 months in advance (eg as soon as baby was born). Allowing 4 months isn't that long.

Went on the list in feb last year- the week after my positive test because I didn't want to risk not having a space for this April, will be 14 months on it in April when I need the space. I'm gutted tbh but I done have any other options, I called 2 other settings today and both have already done their spaces for this term and are full. 2/3 childminders I called are full and the other can only offer me afternoons only.

OP posts:

walkinthewoodstoday · 17/01/2023 22:49

How old is your baby? I think it's a very annoying situation but perhaps if baby isn't yet a year you could hold off? I think if they have space April, they shouldn't be asking you to pay from Feb. but it's hard when limited options for childcare.

Original poster

MyLittleToe · 18/01/2023 03:27

walkinthewoodstoday · 17/01/2023 22:49

He is 6 months old, I can't hold off as I'm starting a new job and cant afford to stay on SMP. The new job has better career progression and is my dream job so need to go back to work.

OP posts:

Panda368 · 18/01/2023 04:20

This happened to us with the youngest. He was on the list for 6 months. And I think every other week I would be fobbed off. It was only when I started asking about noice period I needed to give for Dc1 that a space magically became available later that week.

it might have been coincidence but I’m pretty sure they hadn’t thought I would need to move eldest if no space for youngest..

Nodancingshoes · 18/01/2023 21:51

We rarely take on April starters. We can't afford to keep the space open from September until April. Having said that, we will usually try to keep a few spaces spare for new siblings

Original poster

MyLittleToe · 19/01/2023 00:15

Nodancingshoes · 18/01/2023 21:51

We rarely take on April starters. We can't afford to keep the space open from September until April. Having said that, we will usually try to keep a few spaces spare for new siblings

But surely people come back to work at various times of the year from maternity. As the January movers go up a room from babies to toddlers and toddlers to nursery at the Easter break ( the term after 3) surely that frees up baby room spaces??
In this case I know the nursery has moved babies up to the toddler room so there are spaces available. I have been offered 3 days so will have to take that and hope work allows me to adjust my hours to suit.

OP posts:

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