when should I start looking for daycare?

irenewslee · January 2014

I plan on going back to work around Sept/Oct timeframe and I am wondering when I should start looking for day care.

Also, what are some tips and tricks for finding a good place for our little ones?

curlylocks3 · January 2014

When you should start looking depends on where you live- some places fill up faster (in my area, you start looking ~12 weeks). At the very least I'd begin researching now and then you can contact those places to find out when you need to put down your deposit by.

As for tips and tricks, I'd ask anyone you know who uses day care for a recommendation. If you plan on using a place close to your home, ask neighbors, and if you're looking more at places close to your employer you could ask coworkers. I'd read any reviews you can find online but I definitely think personal experiences and touring/visiting the places is key.

Good luck!

tbmadeamistake · January 2014

Start looking now, infant spots fill up quickly! I told my current center that I was expecting and to save Charlie's spot when I was 9 weeks, and she thanked for me for it because she said a lot of mom's wait until they are 4-5 months along and then she doesn't have any spots left. Definitely go on tours, but also ask friends/neighbors/read online reviews.

Neuron79 · January 2014

Yesterday! We didn't make it into some infant locations as they were booking out until January 2015! It is not too early!!

Luna C · January 2014

I would say start yesterday.

In my area, 9-12 month waits are routine.

I applied Jan. 2 to my first choice -- she said I have a 50/50 chance of getting in by mid-sept.; and a 90% chance of getting in by end of the year. (Thank God I'll be working from home and so I have some flexibility.)

chloephoebecali · January 2014

Now! I suggest asking your friends/family and doing a google search of all the ones in your area. Check out their websites to get a feel of what their mission/purpose and average day look like. Sometimes prices are even listed. Set up appointments to see the ones that seem like a potential good fit. GL!

lefriday · January 2014

Look when you can soon. We were on 2 wait lists with dd and we placed out names in at about 9 weeks. If your state gives ratings we found those to be helpful. I'm in pa and keystone stars is our rating system. Of course there are some issues but it was a good start for me since I love data

irenewslee · January 2014

Wow I didn't know people start that early and the wait list gets that long! I will definitely start looking. I always thought it would be OK as long as I start looking right after delivery... But somehow part of me thinks I should at least start asking around. Thanks ladies!

Dharmatron · January 2014

I started earlier this month. I'm on one waiting list for my number 1 choice, but I'm still looking for backup centers and home daycares. We haven't decided what route we want to go.

Gbseder · January 2014

I started researching about a month ago and learned that the options for daycare centers that take infants were
Very limited near me! I was glad I started early. Ended up joining care.com to research nanny care and stumbled upon an amazing lady who will probably be the one I choose- she'll watch my daughter in her home while also watching her grandson (slightly older baby). She's done in-home nannying for 25+ years for local families and lives half mile from my apartment! Costs less than daycare center with more personal attention (ny state ratio for infants mandate 4:1 baby to adult ratio- higher than I'd like). Feeling very lucky to find her! So, consider nanny shares! Could be a great option!

hollygb22 · January 2014

With DD #1 We started around 4 months before I went back to work (i took a longer leave of 7 months). There were 3 centers that would work out where I could drop off and DH pick up since we work in opposite directions. We toured all 3.

We just went with our gut..two centers were large and had infant rooms with 16 and 20 infants. The ration in our area is 4:1. One center we just didn't get a good feel about. The other the director was short and a little jerky with us. I didn't like that since I knew if we had issues, etc, that would be the person we'd resort to and look to resolve issues for us.

We ended up going with a smaller center. DD was 1 of 6 infants with 2 teachers. She is now 1 of 4 in a "waddler" room. I like that the teachers have all been there for years and established. One of the larger centers seemed to have young college girls being cycled through pretty frequently. Not that it's bad...but we just felt more comfortable with the more established staff.

a couple other things we took into consideration..our DC offers two 1 week vacations (if we give notice and are going away for a week, we don't pay) and they don't shut down for 2 weeks at Christmas etc which some of the others did. Food/milk is provided which is nice and takes a load off in getting DD out the door in the a.m. and not having to pack lunches)

Lynnja616 · January 2014

ASAP. All of the good/desirable centers in my area have waiting lists for the infant room.

misscarter87 · January 2014

I would say asap because many daycare center fill up pretty quick especially in the infant room

AandJ28 · January 2014

Thanks for this! It was super helpful (and also stressful).

Has anyone had an in-home nanny? When did you start searching? I would prefer someone to come to the house and was thinking I'd start looking in May. Since we will need part-time daycare and someone that is flexible, I feel that in-home care would work better. I was also hoping to find someone by the time I deliver so that she can spend the summer getting to build a relationship with us. Is starting a search in May unrealistic?

Pepper6 · January 2014

Not to thread jack, but has anyone used Care.com to find a temporary sitter? My MIL will be DD's primary day care once I go back to work, but we might need occasional day/night care and I know most daycare centers require a regular schedule. I don't know where else we would look to find a random person who I'd trust to watch DD and I've seen care.com advertised quite a bit. so just wondered if anyone has used it before?

JelloBean1 · January 2014

We went on our first tour yesterday morning and they let us know that they only have 6 spots open in the infant room for next September so she advised that we put a deposit down to save a spot by March if we decide to go with them. I am also setting up to take a tour of another facility in the next few weeks.

AandJ28 · January 2014

@pepper6 - There are women at work who use Care.com and swear by it. I have been on there looking for part-time in-home care and like that you can browse through listings and also put your own listing on there. If we go the in-home route, I will most likely be using this website.

layersofmeaning · January 2014

My son goes to Mother's Day Out twice a week and open enrollement for the 2014-2015 year starts next week. I would say start looking now!

amackattack · January 2014

I put our name on a waiting list probably 2.5 months ago, and we still only have 50% chance of getting into that particular center. However, none of the other centers we spoke to had begun their waiting list. It can't possibly hurt to start early, so start!

rainstar752 · January 2014

We got this baby on a waiting list back in November, and it's still unlikely we'll get in by the time I have to back to work next September.

The waiting list was at least 12 months long. Start looking now! If you're doing a nanny/nanny share, you don't have to look quite so early.

nicolewhelan · January 2014

How many daycares do you guys have around you to choose from? I called on a couple places in December and didn't have any waiting issues, they didn't think I would have a problem getting a spot either if I wait a little while. I feel like I have daycares all around me though. Like I know of 10 within a 5 mile radius of my house. Didn't know if any of you have that many though. My sister was all over me at 9 weeks to start looking but she's also in downtown Houston and has lack of options. I'm in total suburbia North Georgia and have tons. I guess January has seemed to fly by so fast though I should put this at the top of my list. Man time is flying by!

irenewslee · January 2014

Have anyone heard of Kindercare? I think they are in a few states. A friend of mine said her friend took her son there and loved it. Anyone has any experience with them?

nicolewhelan · January 2014

@prettykitty2012 I'm looking at a kindercare as well. They have a good reputation down here in Atlanta.

Gbseder · January 2014

irenewslee said:
Have anyone heard of Kindercare? I think they are in a few states. A friend of mine said her friend took her son there and loved it. Anyone has any experience with them?

I used to work at a kindercare... Nice reputation overall. Pretty standard "daycare center" environment similar to a place like tutor time. Im sure centers vary by location and staff so check out your local option but great certified type place that will follow national standards and provide educational curriculum for your child starting basically from day one. If I had one more convenient to my location, I'd use it I bet.

hlp2709 · January 2014

You could always call around to day cares and say what ur looking for and when. I did and there was only one in my area that had openings. I did this around 25 weeks or sooner I was on top of stuff with the first one. Sometimes day cares full up fast and waiting list can be very long.

Sareynoo · January 2014

I applied in December for childcare. We will need care in mid July or August, the spots fill up very fast here. DD is already enrolled there so I know how difficult it is to find anew available spot.

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when should I start looking for daycare?

Re: when should I start looking for daycare?

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