Asking for next year child care day preferences already?

[FabFiona]

I've already been asked for our preferences for child care days for 2012. It seems very early to me. I also know this is not the only centre doing this.

Anyone else know why they are doing this?

Fiona

[krystals]

I'm just looking into daycare for our son, and I was advised to put our choices in by early August for all of 2012 by one centre, so I guess I've missed the boat on that one?! I didn't realise it was so competitive. So naive!!

[Beach Mama]

Could be to work out numbers as a lot of them are employing their Bachelor trained kinder room teachers next year? I think they have to have them by 2013 but a lot are getting in early? Ours haven't asked yet and when they do I have to tell them to wait until I know what I am doing which might not be until December!!

[Amaunet]

I think it takes a lot of "balancing" to accommodate as many families as possible. Maybe they are looking at their waiting lists for next year but wanting to sort "existing" families already?

Fwiw, I just submitted my waiting list form for my unborn baby for 2013 and made them aware of what days I will need for my DS. Needless to say, I'm first in the queue (I will need 3 specific days that won't be flexible iykwim?)

[luna moth]

Fwiw, I just submitted my waiting list form for my unborn baby for 2013 and made them aware of what days I will need for my DS. Needless to say, I'm first in the queue (I will need 3 specific days that won't be flexible iykwim?)

In more than one place that I've worked, you wouldn't be first in the queue. I worked somewhere that effectively had a 5 year waiting list once.

Anyway, coordinating all the days that families need is a HUGE job, and there are loads of families that take months to get their preferences in, so starting early is a great idea. It also means that they can see where there might be vacancies, and offer places to families who are anxiously waiting for news of a spot. If you can't do it now, just let them know that you need more time. They will pencil you in so you won't lose your spot.

[feeb]

Have not been asked yet.

[Janie71]

We haven't been asked as of yet...

[Nai]

Ours gets done in October for existing families and in November for new families once the existing families get their preferences.

[LoveKnowsNoBounds]

We've been asked and form is already in. They need to know who is staying/going/going to school so they can take in new families. I think it is good to get it sorted early so everyone knows where they stand for next year.

I'm trying to get an extra day for DS next year so was very happy when I saw the form. It's really only 4 months to go until the end of the year...,scary!!!

[BeautifulMadness]

im waiting to be asked lol

illl just keep the same days, but i think coz andy will be 3 next may ( omg) he moves to a different room

[Astrid]

Last year our center went with giving existing families the same days unless they were advised otherwise by a particular date. I wonder if they will go with it again?

[Mum2SweetCs]

Yeh mine asked last week also. I asked wow this is early. But the director said its because they want the parents with the kids already at the childcare to have first preference and then open it up to the public at around Octoberish

[mollycat]

I'm a FDC and I've started asking. I'll have a couple heading off to preschools next year and some siblings waiting to start. I have limited places so need to know who is staying/going and who I can shuffle around to fit the working parents in.