Nightmare with nurseries.......

[polskey]

I seem to be having the opposite problem to most the people on the forum, I am desperate to get my son into a nursery but can't find one with any space until September. My son is 2 and I work as a freelance photographer so my hours are very strange. Since the age of 1 he was with childminders and although some of them have been good, he hasn't really had any contact with any other children and it breaks my heart when we go somewhere to play and he just watches from the sidelines.
Can anyone give me advice about how I should get him into a nursery, it is a bit difficult that you need to commit to certain days as my working hours are very sporadic and I am not earning enough money to send him everyday (nor would I want to) or if I am not working.
The whole situation is so stressful - I have also just lost my childminder so I am now stuck with no care what-so-ever and sadly my family lives an hour and a half away so that's not an option either.
I would really like to find a place to meet like-minded parents to perhaps form a friendship and have some playmates for my son if I am unable to get him a place in a nursery, but I have no idea where to start my search.
Any advice on the whole situation would be great - I feel frustrated and helpless and it is beginning to make me cry.....
Many thanks

it will be hard finding a nursery that is flexible as they need to know how many children are in each day to keep to the staff ratios
You will probably have to commit to at least 1 day and ask for other days as "extras" but you might not be able to pick and choose as some days they will be full up.

have you thought about going to parent and toddler groups? most church halls or community centres have them
or there are pre-schools which are sessional. i.e, mornings or afternoons
or you could try soft play centres, the YMCA near me does one
or try chikldren's centres if you have one near you
or there is always the local park, if you get stuck, you often see young mums and children there
good luck anyway

In the past we have taken on a parent on this basis. My advice is to form a good relationship with a nursery and suggest you could fill in on odd days when children are off, give them your number and then when a space available, should you need it they would take your little one. Obviously you need to settle her but in the long run it can work.

Good luck

Polskey now your son is 2 parent and toddler groups or just the local park are quite adequate for his social needs. I don't think being with a childminder between the age of 1 and 2 and not interacting with a lot of children would have harmed him that much.

Maybe he watches from the sidelines because that is his nature - every child is different.

Don't worry as by the time you do get him to a nursery in September he will be ok.

i am a register childminder in efield..i could help you out..please do not get me wrong i could suggest to come and see my place before you make any decission...please if you interested sent me a mail from [email protected]

Watching play from the sidelines is a very normal stage of development at this age, regardless of who is caring for him. He will begin to join in when he's ready whether you choose a nursery or childminder.