Infant wait times at Triangle Tots with Fed pref?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The wait times are long, but it's so hit-and-miss--depends on the age of your kid, when you need a spot (lots of movement in August/September, for example, when the older kids move out for pre-K or kindergarten), whether a family has moved away, thus opening up an unexpected spot, how many siblings there are waiting, etc. Honestly, if you want a spot, you apply and see what happens. It's always better to apply sooner rather than later.

I'm a director, and this is true. We try, but we just can't predict what's going to happen 1 year from now.

So does it hurt or help my case if I call once a month? It seems obnoxious, but several people on this thread and others insist that frequent calls will help.

[Anonymous]

This was 5 years ago, but I was on the triangle tot waitlist from right after I found out I was pregnant, took 4 months of maternity leave and was offered a spot a couple of weeks before going back to work. We had already arranged childcare by then so we didn't take it. So people do get off! I also called a few times after giving birth. So being a squeaky wheel does help.

[Anonymous]

I got on the TT waitlist with Fed priority when I was 6 weeks pregnant. DS is now 14 months. Still haven't heard from them.

[Anonymous]

^^^ Oh, and the assistant director could never seem to find my application or return my call without me leaving 3 messages. In short, the place did not seem that well organized and the responsiveness has fallen short, even as compared to other BH centers downtown.

[Anonymous]

You really do need to call and check on your status, and especially call once the baby is born or you are ready for care. We got on a lot of waitlists. We had Fed priority but never agency priority. The only two centers I've ever heard from are the two that we called to follow-up (and my child is almost 5). One we got into while I was still on maternity leave so DC started there at 12 weeks when I had to go back to work. It's very possible to get in when you want, but you have to be diligent about calling. The waitlists seems to be a big racket.

[Anonymous]

I was diligent in calling, but it didn't make a difference.

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier. I would say definitely have a plan B (and C). The only people I know who got infant spots at TT in the past two years had children already in the center ormoved to the area with two kids and got priority over m e because she was also signing up a 3 year old.

[Anonymous]

Man, is TT really so great that it's worth all this hassle? I'm not a federal employee and can't get preference etc (sadly). But it sounds like some of the PPs have had a heck of a time trying to get into this joint.

[Anonymous]

PP, it isn't that TT is such a fantastic daycare it is just that it is convenient and one of the better options out there.

[Anonymous]

I got on the TT waitlist when I was about 8 weeks pregnant, and we were offered a spot about a year later (this was with Agency preference). I wasn't overly persistent in calling to check on my status on the wait list, but I did call once or twice during my pregnancy, and then once I had the baby, and then about 6 weeks before I was returning to work. We have been really happy there and I can honestly say that TT is a wonderful place, with very caring teachers, relatively low staff turnover, and a great management team!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got on the TT waitlist when I was about 8 weeks pregnant, and we were offered a spot about a year later (this was with Agency preference). I wasn't overly persistent in calling to check on my status on the wait list, but I did call once or twice during my pregnancy, and then once I had the baby, and then about 6 weeks before I was returning to work. We have been really happy there and I can honestly say that TT is a wonderful place, with very caring teachers, relatively low staff turnover, and a great management team!

How long ago was this? It seems that everyone who has tried within the past 3 years has failed unless they have an older child.

[Anonymous]

Well, someone had to have gotten off the list, so I'm not sure your anecdotes impliedly contradict PP.