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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

When to book a nursery?

16 replies

Bambinoway · 05/09/2021 20:35

Hi folks

I'm wondering if you an advise about how soon we need to start worrying about getting a nursery? I'm 19 weeks pregnant, and will be taking six months off work - my partner will then take six months off, so we won't need childcare until early 2023, but a pregnant friend is already looking at nurseries which has made me a bit nervous! We live in Brixton, London & there are lots of nurseries around, but also conscious there is apparently a baby boom so might be competition for places!

Thanks so much

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ThatsNotMyReindeer · 05/09/2021 20:38

I would start making enquiries, just phone calls of potential nurseries to ask what their waiting list generally is.

I did so purely by chance in the January (he was 5 weeks old) to be told they had one space remaining for the September start that I wanted and could I go and have a viewing that afternoon

SillyBry · 05/09/2021 20:54

When my daughter was born, we went and did a nursery visit when she was about 10-12 weeks old to look round/book her space to start at 10 months. This time, I know my next baby will go to the same nursery - and I know the staff really well, so I'll just drop them an email once baby is born to hold a space :-)

ItsSnowJokes · 05/09/2021 20:59

I was about 30 weeks I think when we reserved our space at the childcare of our choice. It just depends on the area. I would call a few and ask what kind of waiting lists they have etc....

Blitzes · 05/09/2021 21:03

The nursery my eldest went to you could put them on the waiting
List from birth but there was between 1-2yr waiting list from that point 😅

OM82 · 06/09/2021 07:08

I called up the nursery we would like our (unborn) child to go to when it's one - so to start Jan 2023 - and they said they had to check for availability! Luckily they had some. We're just outside Stirling but a friend in Glasgow said they have to get booked in as soon as they have a positive pregnancy test. I guess it depends on your area but it's wasn't something that had crossed my mind until a neighbour mentioned it...

FatAnkles · 06/09/2021 07:19

It's better to start visiting some now so you can put baby's name down at birth. I know Brixton, there's a lot of nurseries in tbe area but they might have waiting lists.

LunaDreams · 06/09/2021 07:20

I had to put my unborn baby's name down at 20 weeks pregnant! Rang a few local ones who said they had no availability until summer 2022 so definitely worth a few calls to see what waiting lists are like. Seems absolutely ridiculous but there you go!

I'm Bristol area btw

girlmom21 · 06/09/2021 07:21

This time around I had to book my spot at around 20 weeks pregnant. The nursery DD was already at offered a space for 14 months later and told me they were fully booked until then!

We're not even in a prolific area.

Vbree · 06/09/2021 07:25

Wow I didn't secure a childminder until 4-5 months before I was due back at work. It depends on your area perhaps. Where I live the area is saturated with childminders and nurseries.

NW2021 · 06/09/2021 07:55

Think it depends where you live but I was told by a friend if you want a good one best to get it sorted ASAP. That’s for north west area any way.
I booked a place for Aug 2023 when I was 20 weeks pregnant. Went in to pay the deposit and luckily I was one of the last spaces, they were now fully booked! That was for a full time place though.

YouMeandtheSpew · 06/09/2021 09:48

Depends on your area - if it’s a popular area for young families with relatively few nurseries and childminders you really do have to look early (good nurseries in some areas fill up 18 months in advance!)

We booked a space at our local one when I was about 30 weeks and it still wasn’t ideal timing (ie the space didn’t start till a month after the end of my mat leave).

Amichelle84 · 06/09/2021 09:54

We left it so late, around a month before I went back to work and there was no availability in my area of SW London.

Luckily a spot came up at my favourite one, mind he was only going 2 days a week so imagine mon-fri will be harder.

The first 3 months with baby fly by so visiting nurseries won't be on your mind. I think it would be worth looking now to get an idea of your favourite at least .

mumofmunchkin · 06/09/2021 14:56

The nursery my son is at has a massive waiting list. I'm 14 weeks and just rang up and put the new baby on the list for a Feb 2023 start.

Other nurseries could take a child to stay next week. You wouldn't typically need to put your name down with a childminder until the baby is here.

It's not necessarily quality of the setting it might just be size/number of staff. If you're set on somewhere or want complete choice then you could have a look round a few places now, but don't panic if you don't.

Original poster

Bambinoway · 07/09/2021 21:13

Thank you all so much - better get cracking!

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Echobelly · 07/09/2021 21:18

Varies a lot by area depending on availability. I'm in North London and quite well supplied - I visited nurseries just before DD was born but then they were all 'You don't really need to bother until 2 or 3 months before you want to start'. I'd assumed there might be waiting lists etc but most of them wouldn't know what demand would be like too far ahead as kids come and go.

Ajhgs · 30/07/2023 22:02

@Bambinoway curious to
know which nursery you ended up picking? I live in Brixton and am looking for recommendations. Thanks

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