Daycare Waitlist in NW - Newly Pregnant

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

This is my first time posting here; I recently found out I'm pregnant and wondering whether /where I should start signing up for daycare? We live in the Cleveland park area and would appreciate any advice you have. Apologies if this has been discussed ad nauseum--I was unsuccessful in searching for a recent thread on this.

[Anonymous]

Yes, secure childcare immediately. I am
due in November and put a deposit down at a daycare basically as soon as I found out. Infant care is very difficult to secure. There were only a handful of spots at the center that we selected and several already had full waitlists. It’s definitely possibly to get childcare in DC but you need to look now.

[Anonymous]

Yes, go visit and get on waitlists now.

[Anonymous]

I think “waitlist” can be a bit misleading. It’s more like signing up early, but they have to “overbook” the spots because people change their plans. So it’s all a little confusing and stressful but it doesn’t mean you won’t get in as long as you communicate early and have several irons in the fire.

[Anonymous]

Check out Kinderhaus in CP -- right across the street from John Eaton. Got 2 there and we are thrilled with it.

[Anonymous]

If you find a preschool you like, I would recommend enrolling, not going on waitlist. When you enroll, you are guaranteed a spot, even if it is not for the date that you want. You may have to put down a substantial deposit, but at least your child is in the school that you want. You can work out the logistics your second or third pick for the time you need in between. Waitlists are little to no investment up front but they are not a guarantee. They will always give the spots to enrollments first, which makes sense because you are investing in the school you want to be for the next four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you find a preschool you like, I would recommend enrolling, not going on waitlist. When you enroll, you are guaranteed a spot, even if it is not for the date that you want. You may have to put down a substantial deposit, but at least your child is in the school that you want. You can work out the logistics your second or third pick for the time you need in between. Waitlists are little to no investment up front but they are not a guarantee. They will always give the spots to enrollments first, which makes sense because you are investing in the school you want to be for the next four years.

She’s talking about daycare not preschool. Who is going to pay for 12+ months before needing it, even IF that’s an option.

[Anonymous]

google maps, search, if you see a spot get it. if you really like the space, get it