Looking for a nursery for my 7 month old??? I am confused!

[checkmeout]

Hi there

I am looking for a nursery for my 7 months old, it seems so confusing!Do they all have waiting lists? And do you have to commit for 12 months? Is 7 months too young to send a baby to a nursery?

I would really appreciate it if you could give me any advice.

Many thanks

Jenny

[Ruth_Baldock]

Personally, I think 7mo is a little too young to be sending a babe to a nursery full-time. If cost is a factor (obviously) could you nanny share? You get the benefits of a nanny, so lots of attention, and another little one for all the social interaction.

I believe most nurseries have waiting list and commitment periods- we JUST got our son into one, but he doesn't start until he's 22mo. He's been on the waiting list for several nurseries since he was 6wks old. He's 17mo now.

[BellendenBear]

My daughter has been going to nursery since she was 7 months old, and she has always been very happy there. Baby rooms tend to be quite small and each baby will have a key carer who knows them the best. I have never felt that she lacked attention or affection. I think the choice of nursery/child minder/nanny depends on the temperament of the individual child and what will suit you and your work pattern. There isn't a right or wrong choice.

Nurseries do tend to have long waiting lists although they often seem to offer a place much quicker than they say one will be available. I guess because lots of people have their name on several lists or end up using an alternative. My daughter is now at her second nursery and neither have asked us to commit to a minimum time period.

Good luck. Visit a few nurseries and you will soon get a feel for whether it is right for your child.

[katgod]

there are fewer options for nursery for under 1s. Be prepared that lots of people will advise against and try to persuade you against - often with no basis/experience/need for a nursery. Find out which ones accept under 1s. Go and visit. Only you can decide what is right for you and your baby. Are the staff kind and caring? Is the baby room clean and calm? where do the babies nap? Can they go outside? Do they get taken out for walks in their buggies?

If for while you are at work - how easy will the pick up drop off be and how easy to get to work from the location?

I have used nursery, childminder and nanny, there are pros and cons to each, but only you can decide, and you will only know if it is right once you have been to look round. And i have never heard of a minimum commitment - I would be a bit wary of that as maybe suggests there is a high drop out rate that perhaps indicates unhappy parents and babies.

[Monkey]

My daughter has been at nursery full time since she was four months old. She is now 21 months old and a lovely, healthy, balanced child (though we are approaching the terrible twos!). I really think nurseries are great places for little ones. They do so much there: singing, dancing, mark making, "art"...

We go to Asquith Peckham Rye: great, happy, energetic and caring staff, lovely children, fantastic food (the other day my daughter had fish pie for lunch and butternut squash soup for dinner), really nice outdoor space.

To answer your questions: most nurseries have got waiting lists (although some operate them very inefficiently such as Bright Horizons), none of the ones I saw required a 12-month commitment or any time commitment at all expect for one month's notice when you want to leave.

[supergolden88]

My daughter went to nursery at around 8 months. It took a few days to settle her but she soon was perfectly at home at her nursery (up till then she had never spent more than an hour away from me). Initially she was there 3 days a week and soon after full time. She loved her nursery, her carers and still to this day (she is now nearly 5) has dear friends from nursery she sees once a week or more. She was full time at nursery till she went to school.

Nursery fitted her personality though - even at 3 months she loved being around other babies and adults - a real social butterfly.

So I think 7 months is perfectly fine to go to a nursery. Look around and talk to other parents if possible. Do go on waiting lists - some are very long but frequently spaces become available so keep calling the nursery and asking.

Good luck.

[Strawbs]

Is anyone able to put the names of the nurseries on here? I am still baking baby number 1 but we are looking in to different options ESP as I've heard the waiting lists are so long.. Does anyone know if you can go on the waiting list before the baby is born? Thanks

[Strawbs]

Ps I'm planning for bub to go to nursery at circa 13 months x

[EmmaDoran]

Hi Strawbs

Yes - you can definitely put your baby down before they are born. When we realised how long the waiting lists can be in this area, we visited five or six and put our son's name down at our favourite ones when I was only 4 months pregnant. He is now 7 months old and we have (luckily) been offered a few places, including our top pick where he will be starting in August.

Good luck with the search - my best advice would be to go with your gut instinct and make sure you get onto a few lists and stay in touch with them.

[Kaska]

They all have very long waiting list because the baby rooms tend to be for 6-12 children max so you might find it very difficult to get a place :(I am not sure when you need your place but you can try Gumboots as I think they will have a baby room after the refurbishment.Pesonally I also think that is better for the babies to be in a smaller group like childminder or nanny share.