Really? booking nursery places already??

[oggybags]

I'm 20 wks pg, and its my first baby
A friend due at same time, but in different geographic location had already booked her nursery place for 2012 for her as yet unborn baby.
is this common... am I late or just very naive in not thinking about it all yet?
I understand places book quickley at popular places, but before the baby is even born?

when did you book your places?
I will need 4 days a week full time and am planning to go back at 10 months so the baby will be c.8-9 months old

Next question - whats an 'average' day price - is £43 about right? This will be £9k a year...?
baby is due march 2011, and I would be needing a place from Jan2012
thanks

I joined the waiting list for my workplace nursery when I was 20 weeks pg (right after the scan). they dont ask you for a deposit or anything so might as well. I will probably go with a local childminder so this is my back stop option. I will also be returning to work in Jan 2012.

£43 is the day rate they charge for children under 2.

Glad you reminded me - I emailed a nursery at about 12 weeks to ask about waiting lists and they never even bothered to respond. I was freaked out by my stepmother telling me she hadn't organised anything for my half-brother until he was 6 months old, and she only just got into the nearby nursery out of sheer luck and was running around panicking because she hadn't realised waiting lists were so long. I need to get my childcare sorted out - Mum can help a bit but not every day.