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April 2016 Moms
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Let the hunt begin?

AGK2015AGK2015 member
in April 2016 Moms
Hello, fellow new moms!

So, I'm 7 weeks pregnant today with my first baby; just had the first ultrasound this morning, and my husband and I were thrilled to see an actual, honest-to-goodness heartbeat (is this real life?!). Because I work in a small, close, exclusively female department, I was excited to share my sonogram with my coworkers this morning... right up until one of them starting quizzing me on our plans for daycare. She mentioned that she had significant trouble finding a daycare center, and that for her firstborn the wait-list at her chosen facility was more than a year long.  
This coworker has recently had a little one, and tends to be pretty level-headed, so I generally value what she has to say; I know she's not prone to scare tactics.  

Both my husband and I intend to continue working full time (standard 9 to 5) once Baby arrives, so finding a daycare provider will be crucial for us.  On top of that, we live in the heart of one of the biggest cities in America; we take public transit and/or walk to work (which will limit our options in terms of finding a care provider).  While I'm tempted to dismiss my coworker's advice (because it's SO early), I also don't want to find myself in a pickle when our kiddo makes his or her grand debut.

What do you think, fellow urban working moms? Are you already starting to search for daycares? Do you think there's any value in doing so 45 weeks before maternity leave is over? If this isn't your first baby, how early have you started the hunt before?
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Re: Let the hunt begin?

  • sarahuflsarahufl member
    My first baby, but I live in the NY metro area and know day care is hyper-competitive. It can't hurt to look around- if you are too early, you are too early- but that is better than being too late.

    I plan to stay home, so it isn't really an issue for me. But my work also provides daycare references/support, so I would start with HR.
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  • mrstraxmrstrax member
    I live in a university city of about 60k and even here you have wait lists of almost a year. Start looking now!!
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  • amaniupendoamaniupendo member
    We used my work employee assistance program. Based on my experience, I'd start soon!
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  • St0v3sSt0v3s member
    edited September 2015
    I live in the outskirts of DC metro area and the day cares closest to my husband's job have a wait list already for May/June time frame.

    Me- 25,DH-28

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  • CCLow87CCLow87 member
    Start looking!!! I have lots of city-mom friends that work full time and they got on lists a year in advance. Even in my town of 3,500, people plan their kids around when a daycare spot might open up. 

    3 miscarriages - 1 DS (6) - 1 DD (3)  - #3 due March 30!


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  • Tippy05Tippy05 member
    I would start looking now.  Infants are the most difficult to place and there are usually waiting lists months sometimes over a year long.  It can be overwhelming, but don't let that scare you.  
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  • AGK2015AGK2015 member
    Yikes.  Guess my coworker wasn't just being hyperbolic, then.  Thanks, folks!  Sounds like I'll be looking into childcare starting now.
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  • littleredx2littleredx2 member
    I would start looking now too. The wait list for any of the good daycares in my area is approaching a year as well. I had one pinned down and under contract by 2nd trimester with #1 (I get 4 months maternity leave). 
    Me & DH - 2009
    Gone but not forgotten: Identical twin boys born at 23 weeks - 2004 
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    DS3 - 2014
    Surprise # 4 due April 2016!! It's a GIRL.
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  • AnnikaD20AnnikaD20 member
    I would start looking soon. The place we ended up at wouldn't let us get on their wait list until the baby was actually born. So I think DH sent in the paperwork from the hospital. I think that's an unusual policy though.
    DS1 12/30/13
    Miscarriage 3/15 at 10 weeks
    BFP 7/23/15 EDD 4/3/16
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  • pinottoparenthoodpinottoparenthood member
    no harm in starting to look!
    Amanda

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