Sure, sports and politics are competitive, but have you tried signing up for daycare lately? That’s where the truly intense competition comes 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 moms and dads start thinking about childcare 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. “Often they find themselves in the challenging position of waiting for a place to open or expanding their search further away from home,” he said.
With the childcare landscape becoming more crowded and competitive than ever, it’s important 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 daycare and how to secure your child’s spot, even if you’re short on time.
Why is daycare enrollment so competitive?
Child care has always been a competitive industry, but the pandemic has exacerbated long-standing issues, such as staff shortages, budget shortfalls and limited program availability, which have made it harder for families to find care . Unfortunately, the industry is still not recovering.
Many parents are paying more for childcare than ever before. To make matters worse, a pandemic funding program intended to support providers and expand access to child care expired last year, resulting in a “child care cliff” that has -leave many programs struggling to stay afloat. “The child care plateau has resulted in longer waitlists at many child care centers across the country,” Schweikert said. “Quality providers are in high demand.”
Is it ever “too early” to start looking for a daycare?
It’s almost never too early to start your daycare search. Important tasks such as research, tours and conducting interviews take time, experts say. And you’ll want to continue the process in time to accommodate any waitlists or daycare delays.
Donna Whittaker, the vice president of curriculum and education at Big Blue Marble Academy, says that the exact “right” time to start your search depends on several factors, including:
- As soon as possible you need care
- The type of care you are looking for (infant care, preschool, etc.)
- If you need full- or part-time care
- Demand and availability in your area
- Your unique schedule and priorities
Here are expert-recommended timelines for seeking different types of care.
Baby care
If you need infant care, “register your child as soon as possible, which means you will find and register for care before your child is born,” advises Schweikert. He recommends starting the process in the first trimester of pregnancy.
“When it comes to enrollment, most child care centers operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” Whittaker added. “That means the sooner you apply, the better your child’s chance of being accepted into one of the coveted openings.” Starting your daycare search early will also give you a window in case you end up on a daycare waiting list.
“When it comes to enrollment, most child care centers operate on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the sooner you apply, the better your child’s chance of being accepted into one of the coveted openings.”
—Donna Whittaker, the vice president of curriculum and education at Big Blue Marble Academy
Toddler and preschool care
If you don’t plan to use childcare until your child is a little older, or if you plan to start preschool rather than daycare, you may want to time your search for later. “As a general rule, and depending on the quality of childcare options in your area, I suggest you start your search at least a year before your desired start date,” says Whittaker.
Another thing to keep in mind, Schweikert added, is that enrollment at child care centers can change throughout the year depending on a variety of factors, including enrollment windows and capacity. No matter when you plan to enroll, you’ll need to do some research to find out the procedures and timelines for different daycares.
How do you begin the search for the right daycare?
Searching for the right daycare can seem like a daunting process. With all the different options available, you may be wondering how to 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 are most recommended by friends, relatives and family in the area. “Connect with other parents in your community who have experience with daycare centers,” says Schweikert. “They can provide valuable recommendations and insights, especially in local social media groups.”
2. Decide on your daycare priorities
Before you jump on the tour and put your name on a huge waitlist, think about what your family really needs in a daycare, says Whittaker. Consider questions like:
- How much can you spend on daycare?
- Which daycares are closest to your home or workplace?
- How much time do you need to have care?
- What are your goals for care (such as socialization, independence, etc.)?
- Do you have a desired staff:child ratio, and what does your state require?
- Do you have a preferred childcare 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 shortlisted to see if they’re worth an in-person visit or tour.
You can use the state resources at ChildCare.Gov to find licensing reports for providers in your area. Next, Whittaker says, check each daycare’s website. Often, the daycare website will provide details such as:
- The philosophy of the child care center.
- A look at the classrooms.
- Sample schedules.
- Curriculum information.
- Hours of operation.
All of this information will help you decide if you want to take the next step and tour the daycare in person or if you can just go ahead and strike from the list. If you can’t find what you’re looking for online, don’t hesitate to call a preferred daycare and ask.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to the daycares that are most likely to be a good fit for your family, you’re ready to visit in person, take a daycare tour and put your name on the waitlist, if necessary.
What if you are “late” in starting your daycare search?
Life happens. Sometimes you think you have plenty of time to find a daycare, but then you start looking around and realize those waitlists are longer than you expected.
If you didn’t start your childcare search early enough, “don’t panic,” says Whittaker. There is still time to find a good child care provider, even if you have a shorter window of time to do so. Here are a few things to keep in mind to give you the best chance of finding a great daycare on a tight timeline.
“The end goal is always the same. You want your child to be safe, cared for and happy as they grow. You want to feel confident in your decision to find a ‘home away from home’ for your child.”
—Donna Whittaker
Don’t lower your standards
“It’s important to understand that speeding up your timeline doesn’t mean you have to lower your standards or your options,” says Whittaker. You should still take the time to decide what you really need from each daycare, do a lot of research and don’t enroll in a daycare if it doesn’t match your needs and priorities.
“The end goal is always the same,” he added. “You want your child to be safe, cared for and happy as they grow. You want to feel confident in your decision to find a ‘home away from home’ for your child.”
Be open to temporary solutions
If you need full-time care but can only find part-time care at your preferred daycare, consider accepting the offer, says Schweikert. “Enrollment fluctuates frequently and a full time spot will open up quickly.”
Additionally, don’t feel like you have to wait for your first choice. It’s OK to enroll in your second or third choice daycare while you wait for a spot elsewhere to open up. “Hopefully, there are several child care centers in your area that will meet your family’s needs,” Whittaker said. “Then be proactive and put your child’s name on all those waiting lists.”
Use backup care options
“By securing a reliable back-up option, you can buy yourself enough time for something to open,” says Schweikert. “Nannies, relatives, babysitters and local home service providers can help you bridge the gap until a place becomes 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 childcare landscape means you’ll need to start looking for the right fit as soon as possible. But, you can be sure that the extra time and effort you put into your daycare search will be worth the effort.
“By starting your search early, you will have more time to explore different options, ask questions, get referrals and ultimately find the arrangements that best meet your needs. family,” Schweikert said.
