When do I need to start thinking/worrying about childcare??

[DangerMousey]

So this might be massively premature but....

I am due to have my first child on 1 December this year. I am planning to take a year's maternity leave starting on my due date (am taking 3 weeks annual leave beforehand!), so will be going back to work on 1 December 2013.

When do I need to think about researching/viewing nurseries and/or childminders? Is this something I can leave until after the baby is born, or is it better to crack on whilst still pregnant?

In case it makes any difference, I live in South East London, so I am sure there will be quite a few options nearby. Just not got any real idea of what they are, how much they cost, how the waiting lists work etc.

Also, I am hoping to persuade my boss to let me come back to work part time, 3 days per week (I currently work FT). However, I am definitely not raising this idea with him until the baby is about 6 months old. So what should I do when putting my name down for a nursery place, or childminders place? Put the baby down for 5 days, and then hope I can reduce it to 3, if my request for part time working is accepted?

Anyone with any tips I would be v grateful!

I would look and get your name on a waiting list ASAP they are closing over 2,900 sure start centres in the uk! And private childcare is so expensive and prices are only going to rise now they will be more in demand! Most of the nurseries where I am are full up! There is a waitin list to be on the waiting list! Luckily I have a childminder who I have had since my eldest son was 5 months old he's now six they have since had my youngest son and will have this little lump when I return to work but good childminders with reasonable prices are like Gold dust

Am watching this with interests as am in a similar position. I'm moving to SE London on saturday. Im going back to work on the 30th Sept '13. I spoke to a local nursery and they said to have a look round once the baby's born. I also spoke to a childminder, and she said not to look earlier than 4 months before!

Where abouts in SE London are you?

I looked around nurseries and made a decision when I was about 6 months pregnant as places round here (west yorkshire) are fairly limited TBH. I would book a place as if you were working full time and then reduce it nearer the time when you know exactly what hours you're working.Nurseries can easily fill the gaps.
Good luck and congratulations!

Round here it's when the sperm hits the egg!

South east - most nurseries heavily over subscribed as are childminders

Do it as soon as you can IME

You can get a list of approved childcare providers from your local council

We signed up to our nursery about 6 months before I returned to work and it was fine but I would have been really disappointed if I had not been able To get the nursery we wanted as we did not really like any of the other nurseries nearby and having to go further out would have been very difficult. There is no harm in looking around now and seeing which nurseries are near to you or your work and then looking at signing up. You can always reduce your days nearer the time and much better to know you have a good nursey than potentially being disappointed. I am really happy with our nursery and so much so that I will be signing up the next baby when I get to 6 months pg just in case!

My son was on the waiting list for nursery whilst I was pregnant with him as I knew there was an 18 month waiting list.

Our local nursery already has bookings for 2015 so I'd start looking if I was you. I'm 37 weeks pregnant and we put our name down for a place for Easter 2013 a couple of weeks ago. Worth asking around and having a look at some whilst you have the energy. Good luck!

I'm 27 weeks and going to look around some nurseries next week. Not many places around here. Apparently have to pay 60 just to go on the waiting list and then when the time comes will cost almost as much as our mortgage a month. Hey Ho he/she will be worth it!

DangerMousey, I'm also due my first on 1st Dec (!), am planning on taking three weeks leave before, then a year of maternity leave, plus I'm hoping to return to only three days a week. Snap!

Anyway, I looked at the nursery next to my office and they suggested putting my name down now; I'd thought maybe I'd have to wait until the baby was born but apparently not. They also said you put down for full-time and then you can reduce the number of days closer to the time (once work have agreed your hours). It's easier to reduce a nursery place than ask for extra hours. From asking friends who have already been through it all, this seems to be the norm.

So maybe it's best to look as soon as possible?

I'd check out what the waiting times are now. I didn't, and ended up having to go to a private nursery that cost the earth when there was an outstanding sure start on my door step. Then I didn't want to disrupt DD after she settled in so paid over the odds for 3 years. The good ones often have long lists.