Is there a daycare shortage in DC?

[Anonymous]

From everything I see on this site, it seems decent daycare is in extremely high demand in DC and surrounding areas with wait lists routinely a year or longer. Why do you think this is? Wouldn't centers seek to expand and increase revenue? Is it difficult to get licensed?

It just seems that at a time when a lot of people are still looking for work (even though I know DC isn't as bad as elsewhere), this would be a business to start with less risk.

[Anonymous]

I use an in-home and they seem to be plentiful in Arlington. There are few recently opened centers in Alexandria that have openings as well. Probably true in DC proper but in the burbs, I think there are options, people may just not know how to find them or they may have criteria (like it has to be on the way to work, or it must not only be licensed but also be listed with NAEYC or whatever that org is) that further limit their options. I live in Alexandria and if you list to the word on neighborhood listserves, there's no way to get a full-time spot unless you've been on a list forever, but my neighbor used her work-based EAP and found three openings at respectable centers.

[Anonymous]

listen*

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I use an in-home and they seem to be plentiful in Arlington. There are few recently opened centers in Alexandria that have openings as well. Probably true in DC proper but in the burbs, I think there are options, people may just not know how to find them or they may have criteria (like it has to be on the way to work, or it must not only be licensed but also be listed with NAEYC or whatever that org is) that further limit their options. I live in Alexandria and if you list to the word on neighborhood listserves, there's no way to get a full-time spot unless you've been on a list forever, but my neighbor used her work-based EAP and found three openings at respectable centers.

I'm in Alexandria and not finding openings. What am I doing wrong? Would you mind sharing the names of any found with openings?

[Anonymous]

In DC, yes I think so, what is the point of opening a center if most kids will go to universal preschool? I think that is where most centers make their profits because the infant ratios are so low and costly.

Most people in DC will use a nanny until preschool.

[Anonymous]

Sure! Blue Bird 2 on Duke Street has openings. Madison Day school just opened on Henry/Route 1 and I'll learn more after my tour but they seem to have openings for the 2+ right now. I saw some one post about openings at Beth El preschool on Janney's Lane a few weeks ago.

Are you looking for infant care or 2+? There are some high quality in-homes for infant care - If that's appealing to you, I would recommend joined the Old Town moms listserve and specifying your desired neighborhood. You'll get good responses there.

If you're in the Fairfax part of Alexandria, I think Childtime near Huntington has openings.

I live in Alexandria but drive to Arlington for my in-home provider. Here's a list of licensed providers in Arlington county if that's something you'd consider: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/HumanServices/pdf/file64699.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In DC, yes I think so, what is the point of opening a center if most kids will go to universal preschool? I think that is where most centers make their profits because the infant ratios are so low and costly.

Most people in DC will use a nanny until preschool.

This isn't true at all.

Oh, wait - you mean, most white people in Ward 3.

Got you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]In DC, yes I think so, what is the point of opening a center if most kids will go to universal preschool? I think that is where most centers make their profits because the infant ratios are so low and costly.[/b]

Most people in DC will use a nanny until preschool.

This, minus the nanny part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In DC, yes I think so, what is the point of opening a center if most kids will go to universal preschool? I think that is where most centers make their profits because the infant ratios are so low and costly.

Most people in DC will use a nanny until preschool.

At least at our daycare, I don't think any of the parents actually live in DC. There is no issue keeping the preschool room full.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In DC, yes I think so, what is the point of opening a center if most kids will go to universal preschool? I think that is where most centers make their profits because the infant ratios are so low and costly.

Most people in DC will use a nanny until preschool.

This isn't true at all.

Oh, wait - you mean, most white people in Ward 3.

Got you![/qu
Get lost!

[Anonymous]

No, there is a shortage of white mothers who care about their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, there is a shortage of white mothers who care about their kids.

But there's never a shortage of b****es on DCUM!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sure! Blue Bird 2 on Duke Street has openings. Madison Day school just opened on Henry/Route 1 and I'll learn more after my tour but they seem to have openings for the 2+ right now. I saw some one post about openings at Beth El preschool on Janney's Lane a few weeks ago.

Are you looking for infant care or 2+? There are some high quality in-homes for infant care - If that's appealing to you, I would recommend joined the Old Town moms listserve and specifying your desired neighborhood. You'll get good responses there.

If you're in the Fairfax part of Alexandria, I think Childtime near Huntington has openings.

I live in Alexandria but drive to Arlington for my in-home provider. Here's a list of licensed providers in Arlington county if that's something you'd consider: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/HumanServices/pdf/file64699.pdf

I think infant care is the problem in Alexandria. Most take 2+

[Anonymous]

There's definitely a shortage of daycare centers in this region. The problem, in my opinion, is multi-fold: Parents want daycare at reasonable cost (so not $4000/month for two kids, which could eat up one parent's entire yearly income), and great caregivers. And centers need to at least break even while employing competent personnel (while meeting all of the regulations they operate under). There's very little incentive for centers to open given those constraints.

[Anonymous]

There is a shortage, especially in downtown DC, where lots of people work. Real estate is high and regulations are strict. The federal centers get their space cheaper, which helps, but non-fed centers may have a hard time finding an appropriate space at a price they can afford while still charging fees that parents can/are willing to pay. While there is definitely demand, it's no easy feat to open a new center.