Anonymous wrote:OP here. Looking in Vienna, Reston, McLean or Burke.

In-home daycares don't appeal to me because of the lack of regulations issue. I'm fine with continuing to SAH until a spot opens up, but I was hoping to get started looking for a job sooner.

What career do you have that you can find a job the instant a daycare spot opens up?

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Looking in Vienna, Reston, McLean or Burke.

In-home daycares don't appeal to me because of the lack of regulations issue. I'm fine with continuing to SAH until a spot opens up, but I was hoping to get started looking for a job sooner.

Do your research OP. In home daycares are regulated in Fairfax County. You can even request the county and state inspection reports.

Anonymous wrote:I heard Simon Center in Reston is expanding - perhaps look there for fall semester?

Second this rec. we were very happy there.

Anonymous wrote:Start looking at in-home daycares as well. Many may have openings starting in September as older kids move on to preschool.

And yes, it may be unfair to a nanny, but it may also be a business decision if you decide to move him to a preschool if he gets off a waitlist.

Sadly, this is childcare in the DC area.

You do what you have to do. When you're ready to switch, offer the nanny a couple weeks pay and a glowing letter of recommendation.

I heard Simon Center in Reston is expanding - perhaps look there for fall semester?

I work in a toddler classroom and the problem you seem to be having is a common one. Siblings get first choice on all waiting lists and then depending on the center, the people who work in certain companies if it's a company based center. Community is always last on the list so unless you come in as an infant parent or a significant amount of children leave and no siblings are ready then you will have problems getting in. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but a lot of centers won't tell you this especially if they have a registration fee to keep money coming in. Good luck in your search but if you are trying to return to work unfortunately a nanny is the way to go.

I'm surprised all of the centers in Burke have long waiting lists. Can you expand your search to Burke and West Springfield (22152/22153?) I would think the waiting list for a 1.5 year old would be a few months, so not too long.

Lack of regulations at an in-home? If you go to a licensed in-home, they have regulations, are inspected, etc.

OP here. Looking in Vienna, Reston, McLean or Burke.

In-home daycares don't appeal to me because of the lack of regulations issue. I'm fine with continuing to SAH until a spot opens up, but I was hoping to get started looking for a job sooner.

Start looking at in-home daycares as well. Many may have openings starting in September as older kids move on to preschool.

And yes, it may be unfair to a nanny, but it may also be a business decision if you decide to move him to a preschool if he gets off a waitlist.

Sadly, this is childcare in the DC area.

Where are you looking?

common knowledge, ALL daycares seem to have crazy wait lists. What area are you looking in?

Right but we could employ a nanny for a few months and then suddenly have to end the employment when a spot opens up at a daycare. That doesn't seem very fair to the nanny.

Um, nanny.

I am a SAHM who wants to go back to work. My son is 1.5 years, and I have been staying at home this whole time. I am looking for daycares right now or preschools that accept 1.5 year olds and everywhere I have looked either doesn't accept toddlers until age 2 or has a lengthy waiting list. What do parents do in this situation? We have no local family or childcare help. I guess it means I need to put off looking for a job for a lot longer than I had planned until a spot opens up at a daycare?