how soon to look for daycare? and a few other q's...

shacadu

Our baby is due mid-February.   When do we need to start looking seriously at daycare (yesterday??)?   

 Also..... I'm a teacher and I've been waffling about being a stay at home mom.  For the longest time I thought that's what I wanted, but now I'm not so sure.  My plan right now is to go back for the month of May, which should give me a good idea of what it's like to deal with daycare.   But I'll need care for that month,  but not for the summer and not sure about after that.  Do you have to sign a contract with daycare?   How hard is it to find a short term (it would be a little less than a month) solution?  

 I appreciate any and all advice!  I'm sure there are things I'm not thinking of.  I feel very clueless.... yikes!!  

 We live in the Decatur area (N. Dec + Clairmont),  and any suggestions anyone might have for care solutions in that area would be really welcome as well! 

almostanO

Yes!  you need to look immediately.  Many daycare's have 2 year wait lists.  I think it is easier to find stuff OTP but I put our name on several lists at 11 weeks and we got into 2 of them only.  1) we got into because we are members of the church that runs the daycare and the second we had friends that went there.

 

Our first daycare we had to give 1 month notice when we switched.  You may want to look into a nanny for that month.  If you actually don't need care at a center until august 2012 you have a better shot at getting a spot.

 

slwprincess

Yes, in that area, I think you need to start looking ASAP.  OTP and in less competitive parts of town, you might have better luck.  I've been lucky to find 2 daycares that accept part time enrollment, so I know there are some that will work with you, but you are just going to have to talk to them and explain your situation.  No you don't have to sign a contract with daycare, but you do have to pay enrollment fees (usually a couple hundred dollars) and you might not want to do that if you're only going to use it for 1 month.  Also, if you end up using them again next fall, you may find that they no longer have a spot.  For your situation, I'm thinking you might do better to find a nanny or a nanny share.  Or if you really think you're going to SAH, you might want to go ahead and make that decision now.

Temp655608750006792

Not to scare you but I got on 2 waiting lists downtown when I was 13 weeks pregnant and was on the lists for over 2 years.  I would get on a waiting list, even if you think you might like the school.  Get on the list.  

Juelsr

As everyone above has mentioned, start looking asap.  I know there are some schools that run on the school calendar and then have "summer programs" to bridge the middle.  This type of situation might be ideal for you, as you will be dealing with the same type of situation every summer, and you probably don't want to pay for a spot you won't use during those months.