There are no “numbers” associated with the list.
Several factors affect where a child falls on the waiting list, including the date placed on the list,
the age range of the group where there is a vacancy, the child’s date of birth, desired date of enrollment
and if the child has a sibling at the center.
The following information was written by an NIH Center Director to provide a better understanding of
the enrollment process
The process of enrolling children in the child care centers is completed by the child care centers. LifeWork
Strategies (LWS) is contracted by the NIH to maintain the waiting list to ensure accurate information. LWS provides
that information to the center administration. Openings at the child care centers occur when another child leaves
the center. This happens throughout the year when the children “age out” of a program, leave the center
for another program or school, move out of the area, etc.
Parents of Preschoolers, Inc. (POPI) and Executive Child Development Center (ECDC) find most enrollments are
at the beginning and end of the school-year (end of August and mid-June, respectively). At ChildKind Inc.,
openings occur all during the year as the oldest children turn 36 months and move to other programs.
The amount of time between the center calling the parent and the actual opening varies anywhere from an
immediate opening to 3 months.
A parent leaving the center is required to give 1 month's notice in writing. The first person on the waiting
list would have approximately 1 month before the space opens. If, however, the first person does not accept the
space, the people further down on the waiting list would have less than 1 month. If many people are called, the
timeframe could be very short.
The centers make every attempt to plan in advance for children who are becoming too old for the program, for
example, so there are times when calls may be made up to 3 months prior to an opening.
When there is an opening at one of the centers, the center administrators must first determine if there is
another child in the center who needs that space. The number and ages of children in each classroom is regulated
by the Maryland State Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
For example, if a three-year-old child leaves the program, there may be a child in a two-year-old room who
needs to transition to the older age group. Therefore, when a three-year-old leaves, there could be a space in
a three-year-old classroom or in a two-year-old classroom.
Once it is determined where the space in the center exists, the center staff will determine the age or birth
date range for the child who will be assuming that space. The center will then request a list from LWS of children
of NIH employees who meet that age range requirement. A birth date range can vary greatly by the space and the time
of year.
For example, if a space opens August 28 in a two-year-old classroom, only children who have turned two by August
28 would be eligible for the space. A child who will be two on October 1 would not be eligible for this space even
if they have been on the waiting list for a longer period of time
than a child who will be two by August 28. If
another space opened October 3, the child born October 1 would be eligible (the child born before August 28 would
still be eligible too).
Note that the centers make the effort to actively expand the birth date ranges whenever possible. If, perhaps,
the above space that was available August 28 could be held for a child who has been on the waiting list longer but
was born September 4, the center would do so.
Using the waiting list of appropriately-aged children, the center would first check to see if there are any
eligible siblings of currently enrolled children waiting for that space. If there are none, the center would call
the first person on the waiting list based on date of application and the desired enrollment date.
The parent has 2 business days to respond to the initial phone call or email regarding this space. As long as
the response is within the 2 days, the parent will then schedule a tour of the center if they have not already.
Although there is no pre-defined timeframe for this visit, it is usually scheduled within 2 days. A decision
accepting or declining the space is expected the morning after the tour of the center.
The center administrator will not call for a current space in the center if the parent has indicated they
do not want a space until more than two months in the future. Thus, it is
important to keep an accurate
desired enrollment date.
For example, if the center calls on a Thursday at 2:30 p.m., the parent has until Monday at 2:30 p.m. to
return the call. If the parent tours the center on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., the center will expect a decision by
Wednesday morning.
If the first parent declines, the center would call the second person on the waiting list
based on date of application and the desired enrollment date, then the third person on the list,
then the fourth, etc.
The center then reports all of the information regarding calls made, enrollments, and declines
to LWS for data entry. Anyone not returning a phone call or not showing up for an appointment is
noted as having declined the space.
Any parent who declines two times will be given a new application date that coincides with
the date of their second decline. That means if a parent declines two times, they go back to the
bottom of the waiting list.
It is imperative for parents to keep the desired enrollment date accurate to avoid enrollment
offers at inopportune times that will result in declining frequently. Parents
can update their
desired enrollment date at any time by contacting the Waiting List Administrator at 1-800-777-1720.
To summarize, who the centers call on the waiting list is based on the following conditions
in the order listed below. These very important criteria often make it so that families may not
be offered space even if they have been on the waiting list for a longer period of time.
- The Age of the Child
The first family on the waiting list whose child meets the age requirement will be called.
Even if a child is first on the waiting list, if they are 14 months old and the opening is for
children 9-12 months old, they will not be called.
- Sibling Status
NIH parents who have a child currently enrolled in the center get "sibling priority"
for their other children.
- Position on Waiting List
The first child on the waiting list who meets the age requirement for that space will get the first offer.
- Desired Enrollment Date
Anyone whose desired enrollment date is significantly in the future (more than two months) will purposely be
skipped. This avoids parents declining spaces unnecessarily.
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The waiting list is very long. The largest demand for child care is for children under the age
of 2 years. Some children wait several months;
some children may never receive a space at a NIH child care center.
Fortunately, NIH offers a personalized Child Care Resource and Referral service to employees, and contractors,
to assist you in researching alternate child care options. Employees should feel comfortable exploring alternate
child care options near their home, work or relatives, and choose a program that meets standards similar to the
NIH child care centers.
When you contact the NIH Child Care Resource and Referral services, a child care specialist will discuss
your family child care needs and conduct a search for programs that meet those needs. The child care specialist
will send you written materials to help you understand licensing standards, program differences and quality
indicators. A list of helpful questions will make you feel more comfortable during your search and making your
decision about care.
There are many child care programs located in the Washington Metropolitan area that are noted for high quality
child care licensing standards and a professional approach to the provision of quality regulated child care.
You may find the alternate care is more convenient, more affordable and/or more appropriate for your family needs.
You may also use the NIH Child Care Resource and Referral service as often as you wish, at no cost.
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