When should we be getting on waitlists?

[Anonymous]

I am due in November but we probably won't need daycare until April 2022. Is now the right time to start getting on waitlists, or can we wait? And should my timing differ for in-home daycare vs. centers?

[Anonymous]

It's too late. You should have put down a deposit when you first thought about tracking your ovulation. Totally screwed.

[Anonymous]

I can only speak for centers, but I think 6-8 months in advance should be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's too late. You should have put down a deposit when you first thought about tracking your ovulation. Totally screwed.

LOL.

Depends on the area but about 6 months before should be fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's too late. You should have put down a deposit when you first thought about tracking your ovulation. Totally screwed.

LOL.

Depends on the area but about 6 months before should be fine

We got on waitlists before we even told our families I was pregnant. Three years later and one of those places never did call with a spot.

[Anonymous]

If you will need it in April 2022 you need to start immediately if you live in DC. Just got my 3 month old in a preschool and we paid to be on an ungodly amount of waitlists in my first trimester - none contacted me with openings, but if you contact them a lot, I think you can wear them down. That was my MO and it worked.