In our experience spots are harder to come by in rooms for 2-3 year olds right because the ratios have changed to keep class sizes smaller. Have you talked to them about waitlisting and not paying to hold a spot? Our daycare didn't charge us while they were closed, but upon reopening allowed parents to waitlist if they weren't ready to go back right away. They get priority for when we do eventually reopen or are able to return to normal class sizes. They were able to fill the existing spots with families who were ready to return though.

Anonymous wrote:Are they not being open about numbers or do they just not know? Our daycare has said several parents keep saying they will bring their kid back "next month" and then keep putting it off. They have started accepting new enrollments and those kids may lose their spot eventually.

I think it’s both. As long as we keep paying they will not give our spot away, but it’s not clear we need to hold it at this time. DD is 2, so the repeat of preschool/ kindergarten Concern doesn”t apply.

Are they not being open about numbers or do they just not know? Our daycare has said several parents keep saying they will bring their kid back "next month" and then keep putting it off. They have started accepting new enrollments and those kids may lose their spot eventually.

what do you mean "open about numbers?" COVID cases? Numbers of kids per room?

Spots are generally in short supply because a lot of smaller daycares shut down entirely. Also, some kids on the bubble of either moving on to a preschool or kindergarten are staying an extra year.

DH and I are conflicted as we have been paying to keep our spot at daycare since March. We have been able to manage WFH and caring for DD and plan to continue doing that as we don't feel safe taking her back yet. Daycare is not being open about numbers at this time, but we do not want to keep paying when she isn't going. Does anyone have an idea of centers and available spots? I would like her to return there eventually or when we are forced to bring her back, but don't want to have to find somewhere else.