Daycares... are you putting your name in the lists yet?

UTAmbs11

I know several parents across several states that had issues getting into the daycares they wanted due to waitlists.  I've been hesitant to start so I don't jinx anything. But I don't want to miss out either.

Has anyone started looking at daycares yet and are you putting your name on the list yet?

kms456

We have DD#1 already in daycare so we plan to just put this one there too. We don't plan on letting them know until we are out of the first tri. While they do have a waitlist, I think it's normally only 4-6 months. That's here in NC.

talkthewholetime

No, but if I was going back to work after 6 weeks/12 weeks or a shorter leave I would. I know DD's daycare has been booked for September '16 for 3+ months now. I won't be going back until Sept. '17 at the earliest so I am not getting on any lists, but for sure I will be doing it early.

nibu

My mom is planning to retire at the end of the year so I'm really trying to convince her to either move in with us (even temporarily) or move close to us. She's about an 8 hour drive away and I have only my husband's family here - who I really would prefer to be less involved in the child rearing. 

For those ladies who have had little ones in daycare about how much are you spending, if you don't mind sharing. I've heard it can be around 1500/mo.

Gibbs7911

Yes, we have DS in an at home daycare that is primarily for school employees. She is wonderful and is like family. She asked for our needs for next year by March 1st, so I literally told her right after I POAS. 

chloe97

I live in Chicago and we have real issues with waiting lists in my area. I contacted 5 places before my MC and only heard back from 1 and not until after I found out I was miscarrying. I'm going to wait until the 2nd trimester and try again. 

Ash9614

I actually called a couple yesterday to see if they had waiting lists. My boss is due in June and made me nervous, as her daycare had a 9 month waiting list. Luckily, the schools on my side of town aren't nearly as bad - one is currently booking for June while another doesn't have a wait. I live in a big metro area, so figured I'd get ahead of the game. Given my learnings yesterday, we'll probably hold off on visits until early summer to ensure we are in the clear. I plan to take 12 weeks, so won't need childcare until mid February. 

ETA that I was quoted $260/week, so just over $1k/month - less than I anticipated!

atcwag

We have a private sitter that comes to our home. Just got my BFP yesterday, so haven't told her yet. I assume she'll be ok watching 2. 

talkthewholetime

@nibu I pay $1260/mo. It really depends where you live though. I live in a higher cost of living area.

ETA: We pay a little less because I teach so she isn't there a "full" day. She's only there about 8:30-3:30.

MollySm

@nibu - I agreed with the others, it really depends on location.  I run an in-home daycare.  I live in a high cost of living  area, and charge $1200 for 4 weeks, so a little more than that per month.  

KilgraveMadeMeDoIt

Waiting lists for day cares here can be absolutely insane, I'm told, so apparently I'll need to put this baby on them pretty soon. 

I'm not 100% sure my husband will be returning to work right after his paternity leave. He's going to be taking eight months off with the baby (I'm going back to school almost immediately) but we'd like the option to be there. 

TrulyBlessed22

DD is already in a daycare so this baby will go there as well, we will add the baby to the waitlist after the 1st tri.

monkey41

I've already started scheduling visits to daycares because I know the waitlists for the one's I think I'll prefer are at least 9 months. From what I recall when I spoke with several of them in November, they mostly started at $1500/month. This is for Atlanta.

RiverSong15

We're still on a wait list from when I MCd in December. Even then, a spot likely won't open up at this daycare until June or July 2017. The cost is $1900/month, which is not ridiculous for where we live. This is even considering that we get preferential placement and a discount because it's associated with H's work. Once we're out of first tri, we'll sign up for some of our second and third choice options.

rspalding001

Our DD goes to one already so we will just go there. Nursery room is $1450 a month and I live in Central California. I hope that they offer a discount for the second child since we have one enrolled already. Fingers crossed! Cost drops to $1250 per month when they turn 2 and enter the preschool.

STBMrsMiller

We visited our top choice Friday and will add ourselves to the wait list on Tuesday if Monday's ultrasound goes well.