Hi, it all depends on what the policy is with the day care centre your applying too and what's available in your area. Most day care centres have waiting lists for full time care which is Mon - Fri 6am -6pm but even if your on the waiting list other families may get priority depending on the circumstances. I don't think there is anyway you can guarantee a place at child care. You just have to keep your fingers crossed that when the time comes the places are available. My daughter is in an ABC daycare centre 2 days a week which specialises in babies from 6 weeks to children up to 5 yrs. Daycare centres don't normally take babies less than 6 weeks old, and most have definate age limits eg 2 - 5 yrs only etc. The ABC centre that my daughter is in is a defence priority centre meaning that children of defence members get priority access over the general public. It's probably best to contact a few centres in your area and find out how long their waiting lists are and what they suggest to you. I know with my daughters day care centre they only accept 8 children a day into her class, so if all 8 places are full for every day of the week and no children leave during the year then you won't move up the waiting list and will need to apply again for the next year if your child has moved up into the next age bracket and will need to attend an older class. I hope this helps a little bit.