Having a child is one of the most rewarding experiences that a person can have. But, statutory maternity leave only lasts for a maximum of 52 weeks. Eventually, reality bites and it’s time to go back to work. But finding the right nursery at that point may be leaving it too late.
If you don’t have adequate childcare in place then you will need to enrol your child in a nursery. Unfortunately, a lot of parents don’t realise that this is easier said than done. Particularly if you are a first-time parent, the process can be highly stressful and if you don’t plan early enough you might not find a place in time.
Finding a nursery takes longer than you think
In 2016, only 45 percent of councils in England and Wales had enough childcare available for parents who work full time. Depending on the availability of childcare in your area, if you want to secure a place for your child you need to act fast. The best day nurseries will book places up to a year in advance.
The first step for finding a nursery is to search for a local place online. You can also ask your neighbours, family and friends with children if they have any recommendations. It’s important not to rush into this decision; early education in nursery is a benefit to children’s development so you need to feel confident you’ve made the right choice.
At the end of the day, there’s no definitive date on when to start looking for a day nursery. Some people recommend looking as early as during pregnancy to get a head start. Our best advice to parents is that you should look for nursery places as soon as possible. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
If you miss the nursery registration deadline
First of all, don’t panic. It is not the end of the world. Even if there are no places in a nursery there are still alternative childcare options available across the UK. First, we recommend that parents approach the day nurseries they like to see if there is a waiting list. Waiting lists can be as long as a year depending on the nursery but keep trying because a place may become available or you may find another nursery with space.
Persistence is key when searching for a nursery for your child. Putting your child into day care can be difficult. If you take the time to find a nursery that is right for them, it can at least be less stressful.
