Sure, sports and politics are competitive, but have you attempted to sign up for daycare recently? That’s where the truly fierce competition is going down each day. In 2024, securing a daycare spot is harder than ever for many parents, and it’s having a serious impact on how early moms and dads start thinking about child care in the first place.
Getting a child into daycare can be very stressful for working families, says Gigi Schweikert, an early childhood expert and the CEO of Lightbridge Academy. “They often find themselves in the challenging position of waiting for a spot to open up or expanding their search further away from home,” she notes.
With the child care landscape becoming more crowded and competitive than ever, it’s essential to know when to start your daycare search and how to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Here, Schweikert and other industry experts share their tips for how early to start looking for a daycare and how to secure your child’s spot, even when you’re running short on time.
Why is daycare enrollment so competitive?
Child care has always been a competitive industry, but the pandemic exacerbated long standing issues, like staff shortages, budgetary shortfalls and limited program availability, that have made it even more difficult for families to find care. Unfortunately, the industry still hasn’t recovered.
Many parents are paying more for child care than ever before. To make matters worse, a pandemic-era funding program meant to support providers and expand access to child care expired last year, resulting in a “child care cliff” that’s left many programs struggling to stay afloat. “The child care cliff has resulted in longer waitlists at many child care centers across the country,” Schweikert says. “Quality providers are in high demand.”
Is it ever “too early” to start searching for a daycare?
It’s almost never too early to begin your daycare search. Essential to-dos like research, taking tours and conducting interviews all take time, the experts say. And you’ll want to have the process rolling in time to account for any daycare waitlists or delays.
Donna Whittaker, the vice president of curriculum and education at Big Blue Marble Academy, says the exact “right” time to start your search will depend on several factors, including:
- How soon you need care
- The type of care you’re looking for (infant care, preschool, etc.)
- Whether you need full- or part-time care
- Demand and availability in your area
- Your unique schedule and priorities
Here are the expert-recommended timelines for looking for different types of care.
Infant care
If you need infant care, “register your child as early as possible, which means that you’ll be searching and registering for care prior to your little one being born,” Schweikert advises. She recommends starting the process during the first trimester of pregnancy.
“When it comes to enrollment, most child care centers operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” Whittaker adds. “This means the earlier you apply, the greater your child’s chance of being welcomed into one of the coveted openings.” Starting your daycare search early will also give you a grace period in the event that you end up on a daycare waitlist.
“When it comes to enrollment, most child care centers operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This means the earlier you apply, the greater your child’s chance of being welcomed into one of the coveted openings.”
—Donna Whittaker, the vice president of curriculum and education at Big Blue Marble Academy
Toddler care and preschool
If you don’t plan to use child care until your child is a little older, or if you intend to start with preschool rather than daycare, then you can time your search a bit later. “As a general rule, and depending upon the quality child care options in your area, I suggest you start your search at least one year in advance of your desired start date,” Whittaker says.
One other thing to keep in mind, Schweikert adds, is that enrollment at child care centers can fluctuate throughout the year depending on a variety of factors, including enrollment windows and capacity. No matter when you plan to enroll, you will need to do some research to figure out the procedures and timeline for different daycares.
How do you begin the search for the right daycare?
Searching for the right daycare can feel like a daunting process. With all of the different options available, you might be wondering how to even get started. Here’s what to do first when you’re ready to start looking.
1. Ask around
Find out which daycares in your area come most-recommended by friends, relatives and families in the area. “Reach out to other parents in your community who have experience with the daycare centers,” Schweikert says. “They can provide valuable recommendations and insights, especially in local social media groups.”
2. Decide on your daycare priorities
Before you jump into tours and get your name on too many waitlists, think about what your family really needs out of a daycare, Whittaker says. Consider questions like:
- How much can you afford to spend on daycare?
- Which daycares are closest to your home or workplace?
- What hours do you need to have care available?
- What are your goals for care (such as socialization, independence, etc.)?
- Do you have a preferred staff:child ratio, and what does your state require?
- Do you have a preferred child care philosophy (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, etc.)?
3. Do your research
Once you know what’s important to you, do some preliminary research on the daycares you’ve short-listed to see if they’re worth an in-person visit or tour.
You can use the state resources at ChildCare.Gov to look up licensing reports for providers in your area. Next, Whittaker says, check out each daycare’s website. Often, a daycare’s website will provide details like:
- The child care center’s philosophy.
- A glance into classrooms.
- Sample schedules.
- Information on curriculum.
- Hours of operation.
All of this information can help you decide if you’d like to take the next step and tour the daycare in-person or if it’s one you can go ahead and strike from the list. If you don’t see what you’re looking for online, don’t hesitate to call a desired daycare and ask questions.
Once you’ve narrowed your list to the daycares that are most likely to be a fit for your family, you’re ready to visit in-person, take a daycare tour and get your name on the waitlist, if necessary.
What if you’re “late” to starting your daycare search?
Life happens. Sometimes you think you have plenty of time to look for a daycare, but then you start taking tours and realize those waitlists are a lot longer than you expected.
If you didn’t start your child care search early enough, “don’t panic,” says Whittaker. There is still time to find a great child care provider, even when you have a shorter window in which to do it. Here are some things to keep in mind to give you the best chances of finding a great daycare on a tight timeline.
“The end goal is always the same. You want your child to be safe, nurtured and happy as they develop. You want to feel confident in your decision to seek a ‘home away from home’ for your little one.”
—Donna Whittaker
Don’t lower your standards
“It is important to understand that accelerating your timeline does not mean you need to lower your standards or your choices,” Whittaker says. You should still take time to decide what you really need from each daycare, do plenty of research and do not enroll in a daycare if it doesn’t align with your needs and priorities.
“The end goal is always the same,” she adds. “You want your child to be safe, nurtured and happy as they develop. You want to feel confident in your decision to seek a ‘home away from home’ for your little one.”
Be open to temporary solutions
If you need full-time care but you can only find part-time care at your preferred daycare, consider accepting the offer, Schweikert says. “Enrollment changes frequently and a full time spot can open up quickly.”
Additionally, don’t think you have to hold out for your first choice. It’s OK to enroll at your second- or third-choice daycare while you wait for a spot somewhere else to open up. “Hopefully, there are several child care centers in your area that will meet the needs of your family,” Whittaker says. “If so, be proactive and put your child’s name on all of those waiting lists.”
Make use of backup care options
“By securing a reliable back-up option, you may buy yourself enough time for something to open up,” Schweikert says. “Nannies, relatives, babysitters and local in-home providers might help you to bridge the gap until a spot is available.”
Additionally, talk to your employer about offering Backup Care as a benefit for parents and caregivers.
The bottom line
Choosing a daycare for your child is a big decision, and the current child care landscape means you’ll need to start looking for the right fit as soon as possible. But, rest assured that the extra time and effort you put into your daycare search will be worth the effort.
“By starting your search early, you’ll have more time to explore different options, ask questions, get referrals and ultimately find the arrangements that best meet your family’s needs,” Schweikert says.
