When to get on daycare waitlists/how many

[Anonymous]

We are TTC so not quite there yet but I know others who have had trouble getting in on time so might as well be prepared. We will have a combined 24 weeks of leave before we need to use daycare. How early in pregnancy should we start touring/getting on waitlists and how many should we get on?

Any tips in what to look for would be great as well.

[Anonymous]

As soon as the test says positive. Think of whether you want to have daycare close to home vs to the office. In the before times, I would have said either, now, I say home (though I picked home back then too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As soon as the test says positive. Think of whether you want to have daycare close to home vs to the office. In the before times, I would have said either, now, I say home (though I picked home back then too).

OP here. I am only 30 but have many friends who have miscarried - I fear dumping $1000+ (for a bunch of waitlists) after an early test and then miscarrying early on...is that silly?

[Anonymous]

You need to research your options now and get on lists as soon as you see that positive test.

[Anonymous]

It depends on where you are located/where you want the daycare to be. In downtown DC, there are a lot of daycares with infant availability right now. We ended up only getting on two waitlists once they both safe during the tours that they would likely have spots and were offered spots at both. Many of the federal daycares have open spots for infants also.

If you want a daycare out in the suburbs, you probably need to get on more waitlists.

[Anonymous]

As soon as you get pregnant. Look at availability in the specific daycares around you. My center has almost no openings in the infant rooms because all the spots get taken by siblings. In-homes are also an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as the test says positive. Think of whether you want to have daycare close to home vs to the office. In the before times, I would have said either, now, I say home (though I picked home back then too).

OP here. I am only 30 but have many friends who have miscarried - I fear dumping $1000+ (for a bunch of waitlists) after an early test and then miscarrying early on...is that silly?

Welcome to daycare in the DMV, unfortunately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on where you are located/where you want the daycare to be. In downtown DC, there are a lot of daycares with infant availability right now. We ended up only getting on two waitlists once they both safe during the tours that they would likely have spots and were offered spots at both. Many of the federal daycares have open spots for infants also.

If you want a daycare out in the suburbs, you probably need to get on more waitlists.

If this is true then I would go ahead and get on those waitlists. However, when I had my kids pre-covid I put money on a bunch of lists (eg Bright Horizons and other corporate daycares) and literally never heard from them. It all seemed like a scam honestly- I gave Bright Horizons $150 to get on waitlists at three different centers and I was aware that most gave preference to parents associated with agencies, law firms, etc. However, I never heard from any of them, even after Covid when my kids were a bit older and the downtown places were struggling to get kids in. Presumably they had spaces but I guess had no need to contact the suckers who gave them money. Honestly with all the regulations in DC I am surprised this isn't something the DC council has taken on at all.

So basically I would ask any daycare pointed questions about who would get priority above you - they seem to have no issue taking money for a waitlist even if they never plan on calling you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as the test says positive. Think of whether you want to have daycare close to home vs to the office. In the before times, I would have said either, now, I say home (though I picked home back then too).

OP here. I am only 30 but have many friends who have miscarried - I fear dumping $1000+ (for a bunch of waitlists) after an early test and then miscarrying early on...is that silly?

Welcome to daycare in the DMV, unfortunately.

Unfortunate but true, even with later losses. That’s just the way it goes. Also, if you have an early loss, chances are your next attempt will work, so that may mean you’d actually get a spot when you need it. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As soon as the test says positive. Think of whether you want to have daycare close to home vs to the office. In the before times, I would have said either, now, I say home (though I picked home back then too).

OP here. I am only 30 but have many friends who have miscarried - I fear dumping $1000+ (for a bunch of waitlists) after an early test and then miscarrying early on...is that silly?

Wait until you are 12 weeks. Resign yourself to the fact that you will end up getting off the waitlist when your child is 2, so you need to find a nanny share or in home daycare when you are 6 months pregnant.

[Anonymous]

None of them actually manage the waitlist so I wouldn't worry about getting on a ton. Target a couple options.

[Anonymous]

OP up in Rockville we had no trouble finding daycare spots when DD was a baby. We started getting on waitlists when I was 6 months pregnant. Many waitlists were free. Paying for waitlists right when you test positive sounds crazy to me, but maybe it makes sense if you are located closer in.

[Anonymous]

Wait until the baby is born. The waitlists aren’t that bad anymore.

[Anonymous]

What to look for in childcare: warmth of caregivers (do they kneel to talk to children, explain things, etc,), backgrounds (early childhood education credentials), small to reasonable ratio of children to caregiver. You may also want to ask questions about discipline policy/philosophy to make sure it aligns with yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait until the baby is born. The waitlists aren’t that bad anymore.

This is terrible advice. If you care about your career, plan early and get on waitlists. It costs what it costs and yes it’s annoying.