When do I start the daycare search?

negrilbride07 · February 2010

I'm already feeling that this process will not only prove daunting, but frustrating. How early did you begin the search? Do I need to leave deposits for waitlists?

When you began considering daycare options, did you factor in cost effectiveness of a nanny, nanny share or home daycare? IF so, what considerations lead you to the chose you made?

Please help! Any feedback you can give will be appreciated.

MBandBud · February 2010

Never too early, imo! We found out that the place we want won't put you on the active wait list until the baby is born, so just clarify if you get put on a waitlist where you stand so you can be certain to have a backup plan.

We are not opposed to having a nanny, but it may be rough as I work from home. We are looking into home daycare since the waitlist is 9 months from dob at this point. Nanny share would be an option as well. Just be sure there is clear cost understanding between you and whoever is sharing; i.e. you don't pay more if their kid is sick, etc. GL!

LCB34 · February 2010

I can't answer all of your questions but, this is what I've done. I asked several of our good friends that have kids for recommendations on the best centers in town.

I knew that a Nanny wasn't going to be the best option in our city for just one baby.

I then called the places recommended and they told me their wait for an infant - these answers have determined when we will start interviewing and such - which is now b/c the waist are at least 9 months for an infant (but most are closer to 12).

rchef21 · February 2010

I live in a small town, and I'm starting now, I have some people that are on my list (mainly people I know from friends and family that have taken their kids to).

I feel like I'm starting late finding someone now....... But hopefulyl we'll get the person we want!

AlissaCell701 · February 2010

Well, I am in a weird postion cause we might be moving again for DH's job so if that happens that I don't know what I will do. But I have gotten most of my info from the University that I work at, that has an amazing early childhood center and friends recc. They have a waiting list of about a year so starting next September/October we will start the process.

Nova's early childhood center is my first choice and second is the day care/pre school associated with my synagogue. They both don't except infants (which is fine cause I hope stay home for the first year) but am looking for at least 2 or 3 mornings when the baby is 1 or so.

Quizzle · February 2010

I've made a few calls, but since I'm unemployed, I stopped looking... we won't be doing daycare unless I have a job!

negrilbride07 · February 2010

Thanks ladies! I guess I'd better get busy!

blondie75 · February 2010

I started touring centers at 11 weeks because of the long wait lists. I paid an application fee and then when I officially signed with a center they did require a deposit.

MonkeysGirl05 · February 2010

I didn't really start until a month before I had to go back to work. Prior to that I kinda looked into things here and there, but nothing seriously

Courted · February 2010

I started looking when I was only 16 wks pg. I pretty much knew where I wanted to go, but that there was a waiting list. Turns out, I cam in so early I did not have any problems starting Nico when I needed to. I say the earlier the better.

brideinOC · February 2010

I started pretty early on because my co-worker (office of 10 people) waited until two weeks before she was supposed to return to work out of laziness. She wasn't able to afford a center ($195/week), so she had to find an in-home center. She had a really hard time finding a place, which led to her being out a lot longer, which led to all of her work falling back on us, which led me to hate her (not really).

Wanna guess what she did when she got pg the second time? Well, she didn't seem to remember the problems from the first time. Grrrrrr...

Aliki · February 2010

I started around 15 weeks, asking around for recommendations and trying to get some feedback. Most daycares around here have a 4-month waitlist, I'm sure it varies from place to place.

We didn't consider a nanny because of the high cost compared to daycare.

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