Go on Sittercity, Care or Urbansitter and look for someone who is willing to take on a temp job.

Perhaps they will be in-between jobs or just need some temporary extra hours to pay a big debt like if their car just broke down, etc.

It will give you a smaller pool of available Nannies but it won't be impossible.

I have done temporary jobs before.

As soon as you have the baby call your centers and ask where you are on the waitlist and if they have some sort of estimate how far away a slot will open. Then based on that info decide what you'll do next (I presume you'll be on leave). I went on 5 lists when I was 20 weeks pregnant with some federal priority at a couple. We called when DS was born and the best odds at that point was when he was 1. We did a nanny share since that was 8 months from when my leave ended. We just called the center with our best odds and they think realistically it will be more like 16-18 months when he gets a spot. I'm glad we did the nanny share because he will get consistent care for a while. Only thing that shocked us is that even with a share it was much more expensive than the day care centers we looked at. But our nanny is great and this has worked out well in many ways.

OP here - I'm on the waitlist for 5 daycares (and have been since 6 weeks pregnant), just not optimistic we'll get it to any in time.

For those suggesting a short term babysitter or nanny, where would you suggest posting, aside from DCUM?

Thank you!

Nanny shares are too hard to come by and too precious once you're in. Just hire a temporary babysitter and be honest.

It is really hard for you to go from a nanny in your home to dragging your baby out of the house for daycare but just be prepared.

Look for a nanny who also needs something temporary. Maybe she's pregnant, maybe she took a semester off school, etc. If you're honest about your needs it'll be fine

Call around to other childcare centers.

You should have been on at least 3 lists before you needed care.

I anticipate that we will be in a situation where we don't have a spot in our preferred childcare center before I have to go back to work. What are the best options for temporary care? Joining a nanny share seems like a great option, but I worry that joining and leaving in a matter of months, once we can put DC in daycare, is unfair to the other family and nanny. How do people deal with this? (First timer, if that wasn't obvious )

Appreciate the advice!