Daycare

smbckr2

I don't know if it's time to start looking for a daycare yet or not. Daycares seem to fill up fast around here, living in a small town. DH keeps telling me to start checking into them, but I just can't get motivated to do it. When did or will you start looking?

stpetegirl

It depends on how long you plan to spend at home. At this point it can't hurt to start looking many places have wait lists as long as a year.

Chrissymarie98

Yeah, I would definitely start looking into them and finding out how far in advance enrollment should take place, etc.

We are not using daycare, we're using my mom so we're lucky in that aspect.

I'm sure it may seem quite early, but the more information you can get the better.

MrsBraun

I think it varies by region...

For example, I am taking 13 months off, but I already have my name on a waiting list for 2011 - you have to do that here, since licensed daycares can only take a handful of "infants" which is starting at 15 months.

LCB34

I started interviewing centers at 7 weeks.  Our top three centers have all quoted me an 18-24 month wait list.

I would get on it now.  Better to be early than not have a space.

emily0829

It never hurts to start early, especially if you are aware that daycares in your area fill up quickly.

I would start interviewing and taking tours now. 

CAMbaby10

We already started looking around 12 weeks and applied for one. They fill up fast here too and the one we really want can't guarantee us a place (could get one right away or it could take years) so we signed up as early as possible. We will be looking at more soon.

julybaby23

You should definitely start now. I have visited about 5 and plan to do 2 more and hopefully make a decision (and pay a deposit) by the end of the month.

h2babe

I started looking around 14-16 wks; and we wanted an in-home day care, which fills up a lot quicker than most large centers. I plan on being at home with the baby for 12-wks, so technically I wouldn't need it until October, but I started looking back in January. And I'm glad that I did, because we signed up for the last spot for the in-home day care we liked.

StevieJo

We started looking when I was about 11 weeks.  If anything just have a short list of questions and make a list of daycares you want to call.  Then go down the list and make notes.  Then you'll have those notes handy whenever you decide to go and check out the daycares that stand out the most to you.

morrigan08

Now is a good time. Last week we put our deposit into one. I did not want to wait, or not get into the one I really wanted.

Think of it this way, get it out of the way now so that you don't have the stress later

scoutkate

I started looking at 16 weeks and was incredibly lucky to get LO into one of my top choices beginning in September (she's due in June).  My other top choices have waiting lists 18-24 months long. 

Aloe0l

We've started looking.  Most of the good ones here can have up to a year's wait to get in.

KathrynBurkart

Our LO will go to daycare two days per week. I already have the daycare lined up. We went to places last month and made a decision. We were afraid of being waitlisted.

historychick79

We live in a small-ish town of about 40k people, and two of the 'top' daycares are completely booked up. I'm hoping to visit one this week that has an unexpected opening (family will be moving by end of the year). It doesn't hurt to see facilities and get your name on a waiting list so you have choices when you get towards the end of the pg.

emilydholmes1

It was really hard for me to justify looking so early too, especially since it was almost humorous to fill out an application at 12 weeks. Name of baby: I don't know yet. Sex: Not sure yet, etc. BUT I am so glad I did because most of the places we applied at had at least 12-24 month waiting periods. It varies from the type of care you want but it's never too soon to get started.