When to visit daycares pre-birth?

[Anonymous]

I've signed up for a few daycare centers (Huckleberry Cheesecake, Capital Kids, and two downtown Bright Horizons centers), with the hope of starting in mid-October. I visited each of them once when I signed up, in late fall. I'm wondering when my husband (who hasn't seen them yet) and I should go back for a second visit closer to the time when we'd start, so as to get a little more face time with the centers and hopefully increase our chances of getting in. Any advice? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I don't think face time really increases your chances of getting in. We were on the list for both Huckleberry and Capital Kids, and got in both, but I think it had more to do with timing than anything - for us, like you, it was September/October and I think that's generally a good time to start as there is always turnover in the beginning of the school year. I called each of those places several times while we were on the wait list (almost a year), but never visited after the initial visit. BTW, DD is now at Huckleberry and we all absolutely LOVE it.

[Anonymous]

I agree w/ the PP in that I think timing is the biggest factor in getting a spot. That said, I had a teacher tell me to follow up w/ one or two phone calls shortly before we'd need the spot to show interest and put our name in the director's ear. (This wasn't at any of the centers you mentioned.) While I don't think it would be that beneficial to do that before the baby's birth, if you don't hear from any centers a couple weeks or one month before you need a spot, I'd definitely call around to check where you are on the waitlist, remind them when you need a spot, and (most importantly) tell them how much you loved their place and what it great fit it would be for your DC (assuming that's true). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I don't think you need to visit in person, but it's good to check in every so often by phone to remind them that you're interested.

[Anonymous]

I checked in by phone every month or so, they always seemed really annoyed. Then a few months before the baby was due I called to check in and all of a sudden they said that there was no way I would get care. Up til then, they always said that I would have no problem since I had gotten on lists so early. I was really upset that I had wasted so much of my time and effort calling these centers for months.
I think a lot of day cares are run by people who are not always the most educated, so calling is good because it reminds them that you exist, but you have to be ok with the fact that it could be a total waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice, all! Guess it won't hurt to call the month before.

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest making a point of telling them that you would be willing to pay for a spot that opened up before you needed it (if you are). I think that can really improve your chances. At the least it gives you a shot at more spots than just the one closest to your desired start time.