Has anyone else not signed up to a nursery yet?

I've been putting off looking at nurseries because I'm just so anxious about someone else looking after her but everyone local says I'm really behind with applying. She won't be starting til she's 3 probably, so I've got a year, how bad will that be? I'm also a bit confused by it, for a funded place I need to have a first choice and then 2 other backup choices that I apply for through the council, but then I also have to apply directly to the nursery? So if I apply to my first choice but get a funded place for my second choice should I have applied to all 3 choices?

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Please look soon, my daughters been going since she was 13 months, I signed my son up when I was pregnant with him and I wanted to change their days and I can’t till September next year; they’re nearly full up to 2026! My daughter has honestly flourished at nursery and loves it xx

Mine doesn’t go to nursery, I have no need to send him to one. But I have applied for him to start a lovely preschool in January after his third birthday. Will only be for 3 hours every other week day to get him used to the idea of starting school and settling at the school I’d want him to go to. It’s so much smaller than a nursery so they get more attention. I’d maybe look into it rather than a nursery? As won’t be such a shock when they go to school x

So my son started nursery September & I’ve actually handed in his notice to remove him this week. I feel there was a bit of pressure put on me to get him in and I regret even listening. My anxiety has calmed right down since taking him out which is a plus for me & he’s not missing out anyway! Please don’t feel pressured because of what everyone else may be doing xxx

There's no need to ever send them. I send mine 3 half days a week cos it's best for me. I don't think they start actually benefiting from it til they're 3 and you can always socialise your kids in other ways. Studies show kids in nursery have slightly better progress on skills and slightly worse behaviour. Both options valid, so what's best for you. For my kids I like that I didn't do nursery at all for 18 months, then a bit part time, and now about to be a couple more part time days soon to be 5 x 5h a week

I would definitely start looking soon, I managed to get my little one in but if I left it any later I wouldn’t of been able to

If you do want to send her id definitely try and get your place sorted asap. My nursery sent a letter back in may saying they had no spaces until 2026 so a 18 month wait x

We’ve only just been able to find a home and relocating, so I’ve not even been able to apply for nurseries etc. don’t get what people in my situation are supposed to do as I’ve relocated 4 hrs away x

We are in London and all nurseries around us have places available at short notice so it really depends on where you are how long in advance you have to apply! If you don’t want him to go just yet, you can always look at nurseries and when you do ask them what time frame they have then you have peace of mind

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