Childcare waiting list: 5 tips for faster placement

A spot on the childcare waiting list means your registration has been received, but there is no immediate availability on your preferred days. As soon as a place becomes available, the childcare planners will contact you, and your child can start at the Daycare, Kindergarten, or After-school Care.

How long you are on a childcare waiting list on average is not easy to determine. The waiting time depends on several factors, which means it can vary per location, age group, and day of care. The length of the waiting list depends on:

• The number of available places at a branch and within a group;
• The flow of children moving to new groups (for example, from baby to toddler group);
• The number of cancellations;
• Your preferred days and desired start date.

There are many factors that influence the length of a waiting list that you, as a (future) parent, cannot control. Fortunately, there are also ways to increase your chances of getting a spot more quickly. Keep the following tips in mind when registering:

1. Be flexible with your days

By selecting multiple days and being flexible with your preferences, you increase your chances of getting a place.

2. Register early

The earlier you sign up, the more options are usually still available. When you should register may vary per organisation.

3. Choose a less busy day

Some days of the week are less popular, which can increase your chances of getting a spot. Which days these are can differ per location and group, so we recommend checking this with the planners at your preferred childcare. If the less busy day is not your first choice, you can often expand your childcare days later.

4. Communicate changes in time

If your childcare needs change, for example your preferred day, make sure to inform the planners as soon as possible. This helps them respond quickly and find a suitable place sooner.

5. Register at multiple locations

Sometimes another location may have availability sooner. Increase your chances by signing up at multiple branches. We do recommend not basing your decision solely on waiting times; make sure the childcare aligns with your preferences and that you feel comfortable leaving your child there.

How many months in advance you need to register depends on the childcare organisation. At CompaNanny, we recommend that parents sign up from 6 months before their desired start date. This is because our Planners begin scheduling 6 months in advance. You are of course welcome to register earlier, but this does not increase your chances of getting a spot, as the waiting list does not work on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note that this 6-month guideline may differ at other childcare organisations. Our advice is therefore: explore your options carefully and make sure to register on time!

Registration with CompaNanny is completely free and without obligation. By registering, you secure a place on the waiting list.

Is your child almost 4? Then it’s time to say goodbye to the Daycare, and your child may start attending After-School Care. Please note that a spot at the Daycare does not automatically guarantee a place in After-school Care (BSO). Once your child starts primary school, you will need to register again for BSO. Just like with Daycare, we recommend doing this well in advance.

Of course, childcare organisations want, just like you, to offer as many children a place as possible. They increase the chances of a placement in the following ways:

• Staying in touch with parents: childcare organisations keep their waiting lists up to date by maintaining contact with parents. At CompaNanny, we check in with parents every 3 months to see if they are still looking for childcare and whether their preferred days are still the same, even if no place is available at that time.
  
  
• Updating the waiting list: after contacting parents, we update the waiting list. If we receive no response or if a parent indicates they are no longer looking for childcare, their spot is released and the registration is cancelled. Like many other childcare organisations, this helps ensure that the right families are offered the right place as soon as it becomes available.
  
  
• Responding to changes in the waiting list: the waiting list is constantly changing due to new registrations, cancellations, children moving to different groups, and changes in preferred days. That’s why our Planners work every day to find the best possible place for parents and their child.

You are welcome to request a tour at your preferred location(s). If you have any questions, you can always contact our Planners or the Branch Manager who gave you the tour. Our Planners will explore the possibilities with you for a place in the short or longer term.