So Many Waitlists, So Little Time: Finding Childcare in a Post-Pandemic Desert

By Annie Garrett (Estimated reading time: 7 minutes) 

5 Tips for Finding Childcare

Faced with a shortage, parents often go into ‘fight mode’ (get on a zillion waitlists) or ‘flight mode’ (procrastinate and potentially pay the price). Personally, I went into full-on ‘fight mode’ with my first and was once on twelve (yes, twelve) waitlists for infant care. I’m now expecting my second child, and I see a better way. A way that involves more intention and less panic.

Heads up on these tips: while a nanny or nanny share arrangement can work out beautifully, it is not affordable for all families, and it’s generally easier to secure a nanny than a seat in an infant program, I’ve narrowed my focus. To that effect, here are five tips for finding center and home-based childcare:

Talk the talk: If your family is looking for childcare, let it be known. Spread the word to friends, neighbors, coworkers, on parenting groups, and with playground acquaintances even! Quality programs seek out parents who are partners in caring for and educating the child, and referrals can help them achieve this goal. The days of just dropping off your kids at childcare like you’d drop off your car at the mechanic are passing. These are caring communities, and strong communities are built on human connection. Furthermore, spreading the word could lead to a nanny share arrangement with fellow parents, whether through word of mouth or social networking nanny share groups.

Find your fit: Taking the time to be intentional could land you a seat and save you time in the long run. How? Authenticity matters and your genuine interest can come across to those who manage admissions. As well, you’re more likely to stay with the program. As a colleague who ran admissions at her preschool remarked, “Parents think they’re interviewing us, but we’re also interviewing them.” Fortunately, doing your research on early education philosophy is easier than it sounds. Are you looking for a ‘home away from home’? Seek out a family home childcare. Do you value self-sufficiency? Check out Montessori. Is PEPS your jam? A cooperative school (often referred to as a co-op, equates to early education + parent education more than childcare) is similar. Pedagogy geeks like me love nothing more than talking and writing about these things, so take a little time to familiarize yourself, and be sure to tour. While finding a good fit for your child and family is essential, childcare options can vary in cost and location. If your local options are more general  – also known as play-based – worry not. Play is the work of children and is a legitimate philosophy in and of itself. All programs can be of quality, and it’s easy to get a list of what to look for.

Consider mixed-income programs. Interestingly, the adage “you get what you pay for” doesn’t necessarily apply in the childcare industry. Our state, counties, and cities have varying subsidy programs that assist at a growing range of income levels. Income eligibility will be expanding thanks to the Fair Start for Kids Act. Programs such as the mixed-income Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) can be exceptionally high quality; as recipients of public funds, they have more resources than many fully private programs. For this reason – and also because of our family’s belief that mixed-income schools can create more robust, more diverse communities – our daughter is going into her second year of preschool in an SPP program. While not all programs accept subsidies (ugh!), Child Care Aware can help you find those that do.

If infant placement isn’t lining up, look toward the 12-month mark. The younger the child, the more expensive care is due to the low ratio requirements of state licensing, which require that there be 1 caregiver for every 4 infants in the room. Compare this to a college class, where the ratio in a lecture hall might be 1 professor to 200 students. Even though the professor’s pay rate may be quadruple that of the early childhood educator, seat by seat, the infant class is still far more expensive to run. Therefore, many center-based programs have eliminated their infant programs as so few families can afford the actual cost of care. But don’t assume that you’re out of luck until preschool (age 3). Licensing ratios increase to 1 caregiver to 7 infants at 12 months of age, so the supply of care increases substantially for young toddlers, and it jumps again at preschool age (1:12). Consider getting on the waitlist for a program or two that starts at 12 months.

Be part of the solution. While I’m optimistic that a savvy parent can find a fit in the Seattle area, I’m not at all confident that all Washington families will. Our current shortage is real. There aren’t enough licensed seats for all. If you care about children and you care about the labor rights of women – especially women of color, who are overrepresented in the lowest paying jobs in the field – then you have found your cause, my friend! Legislators are tired of hearing from professionals. They want to hear from the folks on the ground. Parents of young children are hard to engage in the political process – we’re a busy lot, and it’s a temporary identity. When we do speak up, our voices carry weight. And it matters! My family, for example, will get double the paid leave with our second child than our first, thanks to those who advocated for our state to become the fifth in the nation to offer Paid Family and Medical Leave in 2020! So please, share your struggles with your legislators. Consider reaching out to Child Care Aware and Moms Rising, two organizations that make it easy.

Last but not least, there is a mantra we live by in the co-op world: “You are your child’s first and most important teacher.” Regardless of where you find care, breathe easy knowing that YOU are showing up for your young child and that together we can call on our society to do the same.