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Put my name down at 12 weeks pregnant and we're STILL 14th on the list

tubemum_northern_line · Member621 views7 replies
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tubemum_northern_line

Member

Link to post #2913

I genuinely thought I was being over-organised. Registered with three nurseries near us in Kentish Town before we'd even told my parents. Baby is now 9 months, I'm back at work in January, and the one we actually want has just emailed to say we're 14th for a January start.

The other two have places but one is a 25 minute detour from the tube and the other felt a bit... tired, if that makes sense. Lovely staff but the garden was a slab of concrete and a sandpit.

Is it normal for the waitlist to move much in the last couple of months? Or should I just take the place I can get and stay on the list for the good one?

ChiswickChloe

Member

Link to post #2914

Take the place you can get, stay on the list. Lists move a LOT more than they tell you, because loads of people are registered at four or five places like you and drop off once they accept elsewhere.

We were 9th in October and got a call the week before Christmas.

Hackney_Hen

Member

Link to post #2915

Agree with the above. Just check the notice period on the one you accept. Ours was a full month's fees which hurt when we moved over.

grumpy_but_kind

Member

Link to post #2916

I'll be the slightly unpopular voice: the concrete garden one might be fine. My son spent two years at a nursery with the most unimpressive outdoor space you've ever seen and he adored it because of two key workers who were absolute gems. Go back and watch how they talk to the kids, that matters more than the sandpit.

tubemum_northern_line

Member

Link to post #2917

That's a fair point actually. I did see one of them sitting on the floor reading to a little girl who was clearly having a wobble and she was so calm with her. Maybe I'm being a snob about the garden.

Brixton_Babs

Member

Link to post #2918

ring the good one every couple of weeks. not in a pushy way, just a friendly 'still keen!' call. managers are human and they remember the families who seem genuinely committed

pebblesandpuddles

Member

Link to post #2919

Also ask whether they prioritise siblings. Ours did and that's why the list barely moved for anyone without an older child already there. Worth knowing so you can plan properly.

tubemum_northern_line

Member

Link to post #2920

Update for anyone who finds this later: accepted the concrete garden nursery, stayed on the list, and went back for a proper settling-in visit. Honestly felt so much better about it. Thanks all.

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