Childcare in and around Edinburgh

[WolfMother326]

Hello all

I currently live in Sussex (though I am American, been in England for 11 years). I have a lovely 2 year old boy and have just been offered a job in Edinburgh. My husband and I both work close to full time, more like 4 days a week each. At the moment our son is in nursery 3 full days a week.

I want to take the job but am concerned about childcare, as it was so hard to get a place where we live (1 year waiting list at least). Can anyone advise me of the difficulty of getting a nursery place, a nanny, a childminder or other options for 3-4 days a week in the Edinburgh region? The start date is in August but I think I have flexibility.

Many thanks in advance for any insight.

It's quite short notice so it might not be easy but you are willing to be flexible - I would expect you'd find a childminder with spaces. Easier with one child too.

Childminder will be harder, nursery easier and absolutely none of it will be as hard as in London ime, albeit a wee while ago. Try Forbes, bright horizons, little monkeys, the city nursery etc - phone and ask about waiting lists, it’ll give you an idea.

Thanks both. That's helpful too re: nurseries to ring.

Do childminders in Scotland use childcare.co.uk? Or is there another website/directory?

Edinburgh council has a list of the ones you can use funded hours with. The Scottish childminders’ association has a web directory that is pretty comprehensive (but it’s just advertising availability), you then need to cross check with the careinspectorate who register and monitor standards.

Do you have an idea of where you might live and will you be working in an office at all? Might be helpful so we provide recommendations of nurseries that suit you locales. No point in getting a place in nursery at the opposite end of town!

• your locale

Hi thanks for your replies.
I'll be working in Merchiston and my husband near Haymarket. We've thought about looking to the South so we can walk or cycle in together when the weather allows. We really don't know the area well though!