Did you get the care option of your choice?

**bubhub** · 17-12-2007 15:35

Last question...

Does/did your child attend a childcare/preschool option of your choice, or did you just take whatever was available/offered?

**Sheer Bliss** · 17-12-2007 15:46

I wanted DD to go to family daycare, as she was 11months when i first went back to work. There were only 2 families available the 3days I wanted, but neither of them worked on fridays, and as my position is also holiday releif for others, i need to be able to pick up an extra 2 days when i am filling in for others. I didn't want her going to 2 separate places, so I went to a daycare centre.

On the positive side, it turns out to be a fantastic centre (and an ABC one at that!) and the first carer I spoke to (for over half an hour whilst sitting at the centre observing her) put my mind at ease. DD loves the place, and i now when DS is 18months & i return to work again, i will be booking them both back into the same centre. (his name is already on the list, so i should be at the top when i need it!)

**ShadyCharacter** · 17-12-2007 15:59

I got into the daycare centre of my choice (and the only one I would consider sending him to), but only because I bribed my way in by offering free services that they desperately needed (they are a NFP centre).

So I said yes, but I would have had NO hope of getting in if I couldn't offer them something in return.

**~Bec~** · 17-12-2007 16:02

Kind of got our first choice. We have secured a full time childcare place at a local place that looks to be the best and most convenient out of the 3 local childcre centres. I registered him when I was about 4 months preg though.

Our first choice of out-of-home care would have been a suitable family day care, however, there isn't one in the area.

**Percy** · 17-12-2007 16:04

I was lucky enough to get my DS into care at the first centre i tried. He was 16 months when he started.

Its a privately owned daycare centre and I am really happy with it!

**Ana Gram** · 17-12-2007 16:05

Sort of. We got her into Montessori with the pre-school we wanted but not the campus we wanted.

**Roxy** · 17-12-2007 16:06

Yes - twice.

But, only because of my connections to the industry here in Canberra...

**cheezelkat** · 17-12-2007 17:29

Yes - I enquired at our local centre first off and they had room available immediately.

**Seekrit** · 17-12-2007 18:15

Yes! I called up 3 centres, one I still haven't heard from (a year one), another I didn't get a good vibe from and my preferred one which I called last because I was SURE they'd be stuffed to the rafters said "What days would you like???" I started Cobes on the first day of term which is when they change the kids to different rooms and start their new year, so I wondered if it was something to do with that.

**~Emmylou~** · 17-12-2007 20:51

DD - Yes I lucked out and got her into our first choice of centre.

DS - still waiting. He is on the list for the same centre but due to his younger age spots are very limited. Hopefully he'll get in soon. Don't ask me what we're going to do if he doesn't because I can't find anywhere else I'm happy with.