Nursery & Child Care
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I work in a nursery so I was lucky enough to have a secured place for baby as soon as I told them I was pregnant, but we're currently filling out spaces for all of 2026, which is wild. However, my advise is to put your name down on as many nurseries/childminders as possible and wait for cancellations until the very end. We have many people who had secured their spot and cancelled only a few weeks before they were due to start because they were accepted somewhere else, so there's always a chance. Good luck with it, I can imagine how stressful it is x
We signed up in October for Jan 2026. My first born's current nursery did not have spots for babies until Jan which is when they transition certain babies to tots as certain tots get transitioned to preschool room. Around start of term is when nurseries see bigger shifts in rooms from my experience. So maybe call around and ask if Jan would have more availability. In the meantime, it may be more expensive but finding a nanny or doing a combo of childminder and nanny can be your backup plan for Nov/Dec Childcare.co.uk is where I find childminders and babysitters. If childminders in your area don't have available spots by June, you can ask them if they have certain days when they can take a child part time. I know not ideal but a combination of all of these is what worked for us when we moved to London from the US with an 18 month old in 2023. You can also check with your selected nurseries if they have certain days when the do have capacity in Nov/Dec. I find many nurseries have spots on Mondays and Fridays.
Probably go back to work Jan 2026, booked to see two nurseries next week, really hope one of those should work
I've just put her name down for our local nursery to start in April 2026. I met a friend for lunch who has a little one around 1yo and has just gone back to work. I thought she was joking when she asked if we'd started looking. Spot the first timer, ha! But I inquired with our local nursery and there was only one spot in the baby room to start next April!
I’ve just contacted our local nursery after seeing this post as it made me worry! 🙈 I’ve enquired about Jan 2026 start 🤞🏼
I’m on a waiting list for March 2026 it’s crazy
We signed up to a nursery when we were 12 weeks pregnant and still put on a waiting list. I think it is fairly common they sort out spaces a term or two ahead of little ones joining. The only thing you have to worry about is that too many babies due Feb/March/ April were put on waiting lists before yours. Maybe you could ask how long the list ahead of you is for the room you need. Also I would call/ contact when you have a confirmed DOB and name as this may trigger more action.