Boss wants to know when I’m going back post baby

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My boss messaged me today to ask me when I’ll be going back to work after my maternity leave. I’m only 21 weeks pregnant and have no idea when or even if I want to go back to work after having the baby

Shoot, posted too soon.
I work as a nanny so I get that she wants to make sure she has childcare in place and knows what’s happening but I don’t feel like I can answer now. I don’t want to give her the impression I won’t be coming back because I might. Not sure how to handle it!

I don't think legally your boss can ask you that.

Tell her you'll inform her as soon as you've decided.

It's helpful for them to have a vague idea what your thoughts are, to allow them to plan your cover. It's likely to be a different form of cover if you're going to be off for a year than if you're going to be off for 3 months. What they can't do is hold you to any firm dates at this stage but it's perfectly reasonable to want an idea of your plans.

Could you give her a vague idea as while I’m not sure about the legalities I think it’s fair that she would want to know if you’re taking about 3 months, 6 months or a year.
I told my Work I would be taking between 10-12 months as I worked out i could afford 10 months and was hoping I’d manage 12.
She would need to know it to be able to arrange it with future childcare.

Just be honest? Say that you can't give a definite answer but it is likely to be between 6-9 months/9-12 months. And that you will of course give her a definite answer within the legally required period ( I think 8 weeks before you plan to return?).

She can't demand that you give her an answer that you promise to stick by, but it's not unreasonable for her to want to plan ahead if she can.

Getting good quality childcare often involves a good spell on a waiting list, so it sounds like she's trying to do the best thing for her children. If you really don't know, then say so; but if you have a rough idea - then it's probably helpful to share that.