when to put babys name down for nursery place

[Champagneforlunch]

I'm not due till june but want to get the babys name down for a place at the nursery Dd went to, it's pretty popular so they usually have long waiting lists. Hopefully won't need a full time place just a couple of days when I go back to work.
When would be a good time to get my name down for a place without being too early?

why don't you phone and ask them?

I dont think it is ever too early. At the nursery my children go to people reserve a place as soon as they know they are pregnant.

I really should go in and see them, I need to give them £10 from dd's last lot of fees that they seem to have forgotten about. Just don't want to sound really stupid asking for a place for a baby that is only 13 weeks and I won't need for over a year.

I know some people went around 24 weeks to find some were already full.

as soon as possible, you can always put the placement back if it comes up sooner than you need it

I think I registered DS when I was 24 weeks pg. At that point they had a 4 month waiting list for full time places, but some places have much longer - so a year wouldn't be unreasonable.

Much better to get it booked and not have to worry about it

my nursery put DD3 on without even asking me as DD1 and DD2 both went there

the manager did it as a matter of course on the grounds that we could always cancel if we didn't need it or put it back if I decide to stay off longer

she also knew I'd be too scatty to remember to do it myself

our nursery is fully booked in the baby room for the next year, so plan ahead

ASAP. Then it's done, the only problem might be if you don't know the days you will be working when you go back.

in that case ask for full time and then let them know nearer the time what days exactly you do want

I registered dd as soon as I'd had my 20 week scan. Her nursery has a very long waiting list, particularly for baby room.

Round here you need to do it at 20 week scan and still no guarantee. Many have waiting lists of over a year. Dont feel daft. Being freelance I couldnt get my head round what days I would need & didnt do it until DD was born. I ended up having to take a place at one in another area which was a bit of a drive. Luckily I kept her name down at local one as there was a drop out a few months later and she is now at our first choice.

I rang up our nursery at 12 weeks and booked a place for 18 months time as I was having a years maternity leave. The manager did say I was her most in advance boooking ever though!