r/orleans • u/Western-Chemist-25 • 21d ago
Parents: how did you finally get a daycare spot?
I’ve been on the daycare waitlist since the end of 2024 and I’m still sitting around #250. I’ve applied to 9 different daycares through the registry, but none seem to have openings. I’ll be needing a spot by February next year, and I’m starting to get nervous.
For those who’ve been through this — is there anything else I can do to improve my chances, or other options I should be looking into?
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u/No_Zookeepergame_374 21d ago
Make calls yourself. We had to do that for each kid to get a spot. Even though their names were on a wait-list, we weren't getting calls and we're running out of time.
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u/rawrlydawg 21d ago
We had to go with a private home daycare. Centres were impossible even when we were on the sibling priority list!
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u/Frosty-Comment6412 21d ago
Call the centres individually, it really makes a difference. I’m sorry nobody warned you to put your name on the lists when you first found out you were pregnant.
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u/formtuv 21d ago
Not to be a negative Nancy. I’ve been on the list since 2023. My son is still waiting. My daughter never got in when she was born in 2020. I was told to call and ask to visit daycares but I haven’t taken that seriously. Thankfully my husband is home during the day and works nights so we’ve been ok since I went back to work. I hope you find something soon!
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u/diehardmoderate 21d ago
You definitely have to call the individual daycares for priority once you are on the central city list. I started calling the February before I needed care for my eldest in the fall and got in to my first choice without issue. Centres are allowed to prioritize (given siblings etc.) as long as you are on the city list.