Daycare- when did you choose one?

Runner313

DH and I have begun the day care search. Just curious how far along most of you were when you finally solidified your LO's day care plans. We are due in early January but won't be needing day care until April 2013. Thanks!

MrsWindyCity

It really depends on where you live. We got on waiting lists at about 12 weeks. When I went back to work (DS was 12 weeks old), only one had availability, and only 3 days per week. Thankfully, it was our #1 choice and they were able to add the extra 2 days within 5ish weeks. (Also thankfully, my MIL is a teacher and it was summer, so she was able to help us those 2 days/wk we didn't have care yet).

Runner313

MrsWindyCity:

It really depends on where you live. We got on waiting lists at about 12 weeks. When I went back to work (DS was 12 weeks old), only one had availability, and only 3 days per week. Thankfully, it was our #1 choice and they were able to add the extra 2 days within 5ish weeks. (Also thankfully, my MIL is a teacher and it was summer, so she was able to help us those 2 days/wk we didn't have care yet).

 

May I ask if you did home-based day care or a facility? I am in the Chicago area as well and I have called around to several and they have indicated that I am calling a little early- but we are looking at home-based day cares so this may be the reason? 

ChicagoWeded2007

Uh, I got on the waiting list when I was 12 weeks along... and I am glad I did! 

lovebug33

We secured a spot in July. They said they wouldn't have openings until September, but we didn't need day care until November. The in-homes expected us to pay to hold a spot. The day care center only required a 75 dollar deposit.

thespianlawyer

We started looking about half-way through the pregnancy, and then got the contracts with the daycare the week before DD was born.  We didn't end up putting the deposit down until DD was 6 weeks.  She started at 12 weeks.  But it really depends on where you are.  If I had wanted her in a daycare near my work (instead of near my home), I would have had to put the deposit down and secure everything before she was born.

bearkatjen

I solidified our daycare plans when I was 6 weeks along. I started searching the day after I got my BFP, which was the same day I was offered a job. I had childcare already covered for DS1, but it didn't offer infant care.

aeh72

I completely procrastinated on making this decision and did not pick one until after DS was born.  We got lucky and found a great one, but I definitely would not recommend waiting that long to at least check and see who may already have a wait list and who anticipates having openings in April.

shakinros

Wow these answers are scary! I had LO in August, need care for her starting Jan 2. We have nothing lined up.

I went on the wait list at two centers in June but they don't anticipate openings before next summer. We'll be checking out inhome day cares next. Around here it seems like 6 weeks out is the earliest we might hear of an opening. At least that's what I'm telling myself so I don't freak out about not having this sorted!

Zimger

Runner313:

MrsWindyCity:

It really depends on where you live. We got on waiting lists at about 12 weeks. When I went back to work (DS was 12 weeks old), only one had availability, and only 3 days per week. Thankfully, it was our #1 choice and they were able to add the extra 2 days within 5ish weeks. (Also thankfully, my MIL is a teacher and it was summer, so she was able to help us those 2 days/wk we didn't have care yet).

 

May I ask if you did home-based day care or a facility? I am in the Chicago area as well and I have called around to several and they have indicated that I am calling a little early- but we are looking at home-based day cares so this may be the reason? 

I used to work in centers and home daycare near Chicago (Waukegan). The reason you may get that response from home daycare providers is because people often call early, make plans to attend, and then cancel. That leaves the provider in a bit of a bind. You probably won't have the same issue with a center. Many have long waiting lists and are not as concerned about holding a spot and then not having it filled.

 

cltk12

I called places right away, we toured around 6 months, we finally decided on a place when ds was 2 months old.

katieh1017

I toured and put L on a waiting list in February for a mid August start. I would call around to see if there are waiting lists. We're in Orlando and use a center. . 

mrsseguin

We didn't start DS in DC until he was 2.  There were no wait lists for the rooms he would go into.  We picked one and DS started the following month.  There was a wait for the infant rooms, we looked into it for DD.  I would probably call around now and see what the wait times are, then go from there.  Better to be earlier than later and not be able to get a spot.

Jenny952

We started researching places before I had the baby, but we did not actually tour any until maternity leave.  Places around here don't generally have waiting lists so I didn't need to hold a spot extra early.  When you start looking really depends on what waiting lists look like in your area. 

GreenMonkey1

We started looking at 4-months pregnant and put down a deposit ($50) by 5-months.  I didn't want to get closed out of the daycare we wanted.

QueSrah

If you go with an in-home, you can definitely find spots 6-8 weeks before you need care.  They often don't know much farther in advance that a kid will be leaving.

We were late getting on center waitlists (I was probably 14 weeks PG when we got to that), and weren't offered a spot until two days before DD started at her in-home.  I'm glad we weren't sitting by the phone all that time waiting for a call from a center - it would have been nervewracking.

kristinc01

We started touring in the first tri for centers.  The one we liked had a wait list.  I needed a December 1 spot and they didn't call me until end of July to tell me if I had it or not (didn't get it was put on the list for the next opening in March or May.)  All the centers I really liked had similar situations.  So I found one that didn't have a wait list hoping to eventually get the call for #1.  I moved her at 5mo. to my first choice when they finally called.

In-homes don't generally need as much lead time, but I think it is still good to call around and let them know your interested and give them your contact info.  Then they can call you are you can check back in at a later date.

TotallyLoCo

My situation was tough, because we were planning to move during my mat leave but didn't know the exact town until we went under contract on a house when he was 6 weeks old. So, I couldn't look ahead of time and it was stressing me out. Fortunately my company has an excellent daycare center that does not have a waiting list, so I knew I would have that available. When we knew where we were moving I looked into a couple places in our new area, but my work DC ended up being the best choice anyway. Most people I know start looking during their first trimester.

jbutterfly82

I'm due in 19 day (yay!). We started looking for a daycare in June. My husband's previous job had a work/life program that give us the names of daycare centers in our area. We visited a lot of centers and weren't pleased with any. We eventually registered with a daycare a friend of mine recommended (her son is currently enrolled there). She wont actually start until the end of January. 

DTNZ4Ever

6 months in advance. However when we get pregnant with #2 I am going to lock in baby's spot as soon as possible as my DC gets full fast so a year in advance.

MrsWindyCity

Runner313:

MrsWindyCity:

It really depends on where you live. We got on waiting lists at about 12 weeks. When I went back to work (DS was 12 weeks old), only one had availability, and only 3 days per week. Thankfully, it was our #1 choice and they were able to add the extra 2 days within 5ish weeks. (Also thankfully, my MIL is a teacher and it was summer, so she was able to help us those 2 days/wk we didn't have care yet).

 

May I ask if you did home-based day care or a facility? I am in the Chicago area as well and I have called around to several and they have indicated that I am calling a little early- but we are looking at home-based day cares so this may be the reason? 

Sorry, I just saw this but we went with a center.  

Runner313

I used to work in centers and home daycare near Chicago (Waukegan). The reason you may get that response from home daycare providers is because people often call early, make plans to attend, and then cancel. That leaves the provider in a bit of a bind. You probably won't have the same issue with a center. Many have long waiting lists and are not as concerned about holding a spot and then not having it filled.

 

We are in the Oak Park area (but I work downtown Chicago) and we are pretty much set on doing in home. I am starting to tour next week.  It is funny that there is such a big difference between in home and centers and looking downtown versus the burbs. All of the providers I have contacted have indicated that most people do not call this far out for April, but reading these emails I feel like a huge procrastinator! Thanks to everyone for your responses!