Relocating - How hard is it to find fulltime space available for DS?

[Silverstar899]

I’m panicking a bit here… found our dream house but the only x2 nurseries in the village are booked up until September 2025. Trying to figure out whether us needing a fulltime place mon-fri is working against us? Or is it in our favour because fulltimers=more money?

thanks!

Ask the nursery but… It’ll be easier surely to find odd days especially if you aren’t fussy about which ones they are? That way only 1 child attending any hours would need to leave for a place to come up whereas you would specifically need a full timer to leave or 2 part timers whose hours exactly match up.

@InTheRainOnATrain thanks. Unfortunately due to personal circumstances, I have to work full time

I've just been looking for 4 days childcare. I've managed but having to do 2 days at nursery and 2 with a childminder. Would you consider using 2 childcare providers?

Lots of people used nurseries near their workplace instead of near their home. Even if DC doesn't get a space for a year, it's not a reason to let the dream home go. Good luck finding something, even if it's a childminder or short drive away.

Can the 2 nurseries do different days ?

@motheroreily we’re not too keen. DS loves his routine and would be scared having x2 providers would disrupt/confuse him. I may be overly thinking this though. How have your DC’s/DC found this set up?

@LadyQuackBeth yeah and the area is in a good catchment for schools so I suppose worth the sacrifice.

I just wonder if a space will ever come up for fulltime consider babies move up to the toddler rooms and nurseries need to ensure they have room for them.

My DD happily attended two different nurseries. It might depend on the child, but they can be more adaptable than you'd expect.

It might do. Our area has no places until September ‘26, even if you just want two days a week and can be flexible about when they are, and that’s the minimum
booking pattern allowed.

Do you know where you are on the waitlist? One or two children will likely move house/nursery a year, you’d think.

@YouveGotAFastCar I have an appointment to visit one of the nurseries next week and I’ll ask where we stand on the list. Although they said they don’t have availability till September 2025, they seem reluctant to book me in for then 🤷‍♀️ I am not sure why. But that’s the impression I got.

@SausageinaBun thanks. It is definitely worth the thought! I am not outrightly opposed to this and it might be our most immediate solution

@Silverstar899 it's ok the baby is fine. It's not ideal but there was no other choice. The childminder is not in a convenient location either and is adding a detour onto my journey to work. I'm on a waiting list for the nursery and hope a space comes up