Daycare - how far in advance?

ENev · March 2009

If we're going to need daycare starting in January, when should we ideally begin looking? Probably in the early summer, yes?

I just found an in-home care center that sounds good near my house - I'm wondering if I should just email her to express an interest, or if it's way, way too early still.

Blueyedgrl · March 2009

THe sooner the better especially if there is a particular place in mind that you realy want to go with. As soon as we found out that we were expecting again we told the daycare where my daughter goes that way the baby is on the waiting list and if there is an opening close to arrival or when we will be starting that it will be saved for us.

ashs · March 2009

I don't need daycare until August but I started talking to people before Christmas sometime. I probably would have waited a little longer but everyone I talked to said that I better get on the ball with daycare and it's a good thing I did or I may not have found anything.

Lucky428 · March 2009

Start looking now. I used to work at a daycare that had a year long wait list for the infant room, so that means people got on it as soon as they knew they were pregnant.

MrsRoehl_2008 · March 2009

It really depends on your area. There are some daycares in my area that essentially require you to get on the waiting list the week of your BFP to have any shot at a spot. I waited until I was 18 weeks and was way behind schedule. Ask your local board about the norm for your area.

Gregsbride22 · March 2009

I agree with Mrs Roehl, it all depends on where you are. Every place I've called should have availability for our baby in Aug/Sept, but they do have a current waiting list. I would just call around to check.

MrsSandro · March 2009

The daycare we going with has a very small baby room. My MIL works there (in the toddler room) and she told me to get on the list as soon as possible. I told her to go ahead and sign me up on the list for January as well.

ENev · March 2009

Thanks ladies! I just sent her an email, I thought what the heck. It seems crazy to be doing something like that already - but there's a lot to do, and I suppose I'm almost in the second trimester - yay!

JessAndi · March 2009

We're already on the list for the daycare we want. I used to work at this daycare in college and I know their average wait is about 18 months. I really do think it depends on the type of daycare you want (in-home vs. center) and your location.

Daisy22 · March 2009

It all depends on your area. We started at 12wks b/c every where around us has 9-12 month wait lists. If you have any co-workers or neighbors that use daycare ask them that's how we found out the waitlists around us were so long.