Ours is August/September. DC-based daycare, so alot of kids go to DCPS. They pull up kids into older classrooms creating a chain effect down the line.

Easiest time to get spots - Nov and Dec and August. I know it is counter-intuitive but reality is so many people plan for spots in advance with alternate holds that sometimes last second openings occur. I have been able to find a spot during that time frame with an immediate opening for my DD because a family had to abandon their spot due to personal health issue (child was not ready to go in).

Or maybe I was just lucky

Our center follows a school schedule so you need to be on the list by November to get a spot for the following August. This is infant obviously, but they add classes for each level as well (2 for infant, 3 toddlers, 4 K2, 6 K3, etc).

Just get on the lists now. Generally, spots tend to open up in August or September, as the oldest kids move out. But get on the lists now.

Are there months that are the busiest/ hardest to get a spot?

August/September. A bunch of the 3-4 year olds start public PK, so then it cascades with kids moving up to next class, opening spots for babies.

Are there some months that easier to get into day care than others? We want to start getting on wait lists but it sounds bad in the district. and wondered if there were more times to avoid starting and why and other times that are easier. TIA