Childcare...

I am also wondering. Not sure what I want to do yet either but at the same time I am already slightly panicking I am leaving it too late. But I have to have a chat with my work first as well once I made up my mind 🫠😅

We booked our nursery in October last year for Jan 2026 - they book up so quick where I am!

We’ve already booked our nursery spot for Feb 2026 - if nursery is something you’re interested in I’d book some visits ASAP!

i booked to view a childminders when i was 28 weeks pregnant for 2026. i personally chose childminders as its a cheaper option, plus the groups are a lot smaller & it won’t be a constant change of staff.

I booked the nursery in Nov 2024 and the earliest she can go is May 2026! Thankfully we have family to help until then. There were a couple of nurseries locally that could take her earlier but they were grim.

I don’t have family which can help so I made sure to book a place at a nursery by the time I was 12 weeks pregnant as so many nurseries were booked up

I booked a spot with our chosen childminder when I was 12 weeks pregnant for Jan 2026. She’s amazing and will only have limited space. I would recommend securing something now, especially with the funded hours being available from when they’re 9months old. The really good nurseries and childminders get booked up super quick! X

I went back work when my daughter was 3 months old, I was itching to go back to work too, but I did have majority of my pregnancy off as I was so poorly, but she went to a nursery around 8/9 months, but we was so lucky I rang up for a viewing and 2’weeks later she started. Was so quick, the only down fall I do not like which someone els mentions “ change of staff “ childminder you don’t get that which is good, with a nursery staff come and go, which is ok? But when your child attaches to one staff who they feel comfortable/safe with makes you as a parent more at ease, then you can go in a month or so later there some one new, happen a few times with the nursery my little girls in. Which upsets her because she then has to get use to someone else etc, but definitely isn’t to early to think about it, I went back for my own sanity but also because i felt ready 🩷 xxx

I struggled knowing what was best to do with my eldest and ended up going back on reduced hours. She goes to nursery three days a week and my youngest will do the same. My eldest goes to a private nursery nearby and loves it. I found it hard leaving her, but after a few weeks she was enjoying herself.