Why waiting lists are longer than most parents expect, and what to do about it It is one of those things nobody tells you until it is almost too late. You find out you are pregnant, or your child turns one, and you start thinking about childcare. You pick up the phone to a nursery that came highly recommended, and you are told the waiting list is eighteen months long. For many parents, this comes as a genuine shock. The reality of nursery waiting lists in the UK, particularly

An honest guide to help parents make the decision that is right for their family It is one of the most common dilemmas in early years childcare, and one of the most personal. Both nurseries and childminders are regulated, inspected and capable of providing excellent care. Both can give your child a warm, stimulating and secure start to life outside the home. But they are genuinely different environments, and those differences matter depending on your child, your family and wh

The honest answer, and how to make every visit count. It is one of the most common questions parents ask when they start looking for childcare. And the honest answer is that there is no magic number. Choosing a nursery is not like booking a hotel or comparing broadband deals. It is a deeply personal decision that involves your child, your family, your instincts and a great deal of information that you can only gather by showing up in person. That said, research into how paren