Most parents seek a carer when their mat leaves ends which is usually after 12 months. 80% of the children I've had in my care have joined me close to their 1st birthday.

Occasionally, it will be a few months earlier if the parents need to go back to work sooner for financial reasons, usually but can be because one is in FT school and the new school year begins. I also get children who are new to the area but this isn't normally their first day care experience.