When do you look at nurseries for starting at 3?

[BertieBotts]

DS is PFB and I have no idea about any of this. I am vaguely thinking of looking at 2 nurseries in the local area for when he gets the free sessions - have just checked and this will be January 2012. One of the nurseries is attached to a good local primary school, and takes children from age 3, and the other is a Montessori nursery who accept the funding for free places from age 3, but take children from 3 months. I was thinking there might be a waiting list - am I being totally mad to start looking into this now?

bump

Ring them both and ask them if they have a waiting list and when you should put your child's name down.
They will be used to answering this question.
If they are very popular nurseries then it is wise to plan ahead.
There are plans to offer the free funding from 2 and a half. Some places already do.

Not mad at all.

DD goes to the best nursery in the area. She started at 3, and had been on the waiting list for 2 years. She went to a different nursery while waiting. DS is on the waiting list and has been since DD started and I knew I was pg. It is hoped he will get a place when he is 9months old, babies of siblings already there get priority.

(oh that reminds me, i best tell them he has a name now, rather than 'baby pavlov' )

Thanks, I just wanted to know I was not going to sound completely insane and PFB-ish At the moment I like the sound of the Montessori one but I like the fact the other is joined onto the primary school, as DS seems happier when things are consistent. I suppose it is best to visit both though nearer the time and see which one I like best then - he will probably be different in 2 years time, anyway.

Yes, agree to check it nearer the time too. We put DDs name down for this nursery when she was a baby thinking it was far to strict and rigid for children, but wanted the option as it was the best nursery in the area. And when they offered her a place for the sept, offered in March i think, we went to look again and we loved it, as DD had, as you say, changed so much it suited her and our needs perfectly.

I started at about 18 months , took one of the last places for entry a year later.