So confused about nurseries - help appreciated!

[MrsMyreton]

Hi Mumsnetters,

My DD is almost 5 months old, and when I go back to work in April 2018, I was hoping to put DD in nursery two or three days a week (very lucky to have flexible grandparents around for childcare).

This is probably not difficult, but I'm struggling to understand the nursery system and have heard so many different things. Everyone at out baby group seems to have visited nurseries/booked already and now I feel very behind!

So, if DD is one when I go back to work, do I have to book her in to a private nursery?

Is it true that you have practically no chance of getting into a local authority nursery if you are not on a low income?

Am I really behind on booking a place for DD?

Confused!

Most council nurseries don't cater to under 3s as far as I am aware. Some do but you do have to pay for it, I'd imagine that places are offered on a points based system and that you may get points for being a working parent. I'm talking years back, but a colleague did get her daughter into a council nursery that took babies and they were not on benefits or anything, they both worked. So it certainly was possible.

In all likliehood you will be looking at private - they will take bookings in advance so you'd probably better start looking around at where you might like to go and find out costs availability etc. Or start speaking to childminders if you are also considering that option. If you are able to be flexible about what days you will be looking for that will increase your chances I would think.

Good luck.

As wax said, I think you'll need to go private for a baby. AFAIK the council nurseries are pretty much just set up as pre-schools (although when DD was 3 I had no problems getting her in)

Yes you'll be looking a a private nursery. It depnds on your area but we put ds on a waiting list about 6months before I was due to go back to work.

There are council run nurseries but generally they take 3+ or those who are 'vulnerable 2yr olds'

Not that we ever used nursery other than for pre pre school and pre school, our local nursery and another in the area both offer places to babies upwards - both in deprived areas though so maybe that's the difference?

i think current thinking is that the places don't necessarily go to people who need the childcare for their own needs, but instead go to babies/children who have the greatest need as the care they get at home is suboptimal. Probably not what working parents want to hear but is probably the right thing for society. A friend of a friend had a child brought to nursery by SS at age 3 and the poor child could barely speak and had poor motor skills etc as they'd spent most of their time penned in a cot by themselves :(

It'll depend on your area but yes, ime the council run nurseries that operate out of school hours and offer places to under 2s tend to be filled from the first couple of bands on the priority list so you don't have much chance if you don't fit any criteria that will put you on a higher band.

Your council website should have details of what the bands and criteria are, as well as whether there are any council nurseries local to you that offer these hours at all.

Again, it will depend on demand/supply in your area how quickly the "desirable" nurseries fill up, but if you get it sorted now it shouldn't be a problem if she's not starting until she's one.

In our area 'council nurseries' are pre schools, they are open school hours and holidays and are for dc aged 2 and above so wouldn't be suitable for childcare whilst you work. You will need a private nursery . Have you considered a child minder?

In my area (relatively deprived), council nurseries do have baby places however like Wax's area they go to those with greatest need. However remaining places are allocated via a ballot. I remember putting all 3 of my DC in a ballot but never getting in at all. I suspect at the time so few places were available for non-priority babies. However in recent years I know of friends who have secured places and they are not priority needs. In my area ballots are twice a year but most places are allocated in the summer allocation. There is a deadline for getting in the ballot but as long as you meet the deadline then you have an equal chance with the others .

Thanks so much everyone!

I've now made a list of local nurseries and will contact them tomorrow.