Nurseries - basic advice wanted

[Hackblade]

Hello - we have a 9-month old baby and are considering putting her in nursery for a morning or day a week to give mother some respite.

Does anyone have any advice on how to go about this - do most nurseries take babies ad hoc, are they tied to schools, do we need to register etc? All advice (and recommendations) gratefully recived.

Thanks.

[The Nappy Lady]

If you don't mind which day of the week you should find a place more easily - for example many parents work Mon-Thurs so I think Friday can be a likely day when they may have space. There are plenty of independent nurseries in this area to look at, but they do vary so you need to visit to decide if you like the feel of the place.

Have you considered a Childminder? Personally I much prefer them for children under 2 as more of a home from home feel. Again, as youonly want 1 day a week you may well get lucky and just slot in somewhere.

Good luck.

[Hackblade]

Thanks Molly. Do you know if most places have waiting lists, and are some nurseries tied to schools? Reading some other posts on this subject I read various comments like 'better get your name down soon because there is a waiting list'.

[The Nappy Lady]

Yes, think they all have waiting lists around here, but if only 1 day a week & flexible you may get a place right away.

Dont know re schools, sorry.

[prdarling]

As far as I know, nurseries tied to schools only take children in the term following their 3rd birthday.

Independent nurseries do tend to have huge waiting lists (Nelly's 2 years, Gumboots and The Villa waiting lists are closed, or they were last time I checked) and many of them require minimum 2 days.

However as Molly says if you are flexible you may be lucky

Have to say though, I agree with her. I think a childminder is a far far better option for a 9 month old baby. I don't think nurseries give small babies the mothering they need