When would you move house in this situation?

[Sundayschild4]

Hi all
Wondering if anyone had any thoughts on my dilemma of when to sell and buy another house...
1 DC aged 2 and will be needing to apply for school for him Sept 2021 for starting the following year - I think! He is an autumn baby.
Second DC due in May next year so I will be taking 9 months maternity leave from May - Feb 2021.

We need to move house to get into a better catchment areas for school. Staying in current house isn’t an option (wish we had checked this before buying!)
Would you:
A) move house early next year with the aim of being settled in the new house with plenty of time before needing to apply for schools. Plus side is if it takes a while we wouldn’t be stressing about it, negatives would be costs and higher mortgage whilst on maternity pay, or
B) wait until I go back to work before putting house up for sale. This would only give us 7 months to be in the new house and would be stressed in case chains fell through etc, but would have the advantage of cheaper house whilst in Mat leave!

Any thoughts!? We have savings of the stamp duty and about 8k for moving costs so far

I would move in the New Year. You will be nicely settled before he starts and you might get to know people in advance.

Thanks for replying. This is the current plan but I’m stressing about money whilst on maternity. It would be doable but obliterate all the savings we have!

I would start looking in New Year it will give your child time to make friends at nursery with friends that will carry on to when he starts school.

I’d also move sooner rather than later.
Alternatively, if you’re happy with the house but out of the good catchment by, say, 200m, maybe stay put, accept whatever reception place and go on waiting list for a food school. Younger DC will have sibling priority (just check the exact admission criteria).