Finding a Nursery: How We Finally Secured a Spot

If you are reading this and feeling stressed about finding a nursery, stop. Take a breath. You are not alone.

The process of finding a nursery spot is honestly one of the hardest parts of parenting so far. It felt harder than deciding on which baby bottle to buy. It feels like every decent place has a waiting list that is two years long. We genuinely thought we might never find one.

But here is the good news: We finally did it.

Our daughter is 10 months old, and we have just secured her a place. It wasn’t easy, but we learned a massive lesson along the way.

The Secret to Finding a Nursery? Be Annoying (Politely)

We applied to places before she was even born. We thought that was enough. It wasn’t.

We sat on waiting lists for months, hearing nothing. Then, we changed our tactic. We stopped waiting and started chasing.

Here is the truth: Nurseries are busy. Emails get missed. Lists get lost. If you just sit and wait for them to call you, you might wait forever.

Here is what worked for us:

• Call them. Don’t just email. Speak to a human. Ask “Has anything opened up?” or “Where are we on the list?”
• Email again. If they don’t reply in a few days, send a friendly nudge.
• Check the Reports. While you are waiting, make sure you are checking their Ofsted reports (or your local equivalent) to ensure they are up to scratch.
• Visit. Even if they say they are full, ask for a tour. Once they meet you and your baby, you become a real family, not just a name on a spreadsheet.

It Pays Off

It feels awkward to keep calling. You feel like you are bothering them. But when it comes to finding a nursery, you have to do it.

Because we kept checking in, we were the first people they called when a spot unexpectedly opened up last week.

So, if you are stuck on a waitlist, pick up the phone today. Keep trying. It is stressful, but you will find the right place eventually.