Here’s what Charlotte parents wish they’d known before searching for child care
Again and again, parents interviewed for this story told us the same thing: They had no idea what they were getting into.
No two families’ experiences were exactly alike. But after talking to several across the Charlotte area, a few common lessons emerged.
Start before you’re even pregnant (if you can)
The joke about getting on a daycare waitlist before you’re pregnant isn’t really a joke: If you’re even thinking about having a child, get on a few waitlists as soon as possible.
It sounds a little crazy. But one parent we spoke with — Kayleigh Bennett of Charlotte — spent $300 on two waitlists in September 2022 and learned she was still 14th on one of them in January 2025.
Research centers beyond their websites
Don’t just Google centers, parents told us. Search Reddit, ask other parents, and review state inspection reports.
One less-obvious question worth considering: “What violations are we comfortable with and what are we not?” A missing glue-stick cap might not bother you. A teacher sleeping on the playground or leaving infants unattended absolutely should.
Some parents also recommended touring centers before submitting applications, if you want to avoid paying hundreds of dollars to join waitlists at places you might not actually want to use.
Ask about staff turnover
Why? Because high turnover affects stability, quality of care, and classroom availability.
Charlotte mom Stephanie Joyce — who, like Bennett, created an elaborate spreadsheet tracker as she searched for child care — said turnover became one of the criteria on her spreadsheet and one of the questions she asked on tours. Joyce was particularly impressed by one center that offered retirement benefits, insurance and better wages because she believed that would help keep good teachers around.
Get a sense of how realistic the waitlist really is
Parents said not all waitlists operate as simple first-come, first-served systems. Some providers prioritize siblings, church members or current families moving into new classrooms.
Centers may tell you the wait is a year or even 18 months. But several parents said they wished they had asked more detailed questions about how waitlists were managed, what factors could affect their chances of getting a spot, and how often spots typically become available.
Several parents also recommended checking in periodically to see where you stand on the waitlists you’ve joined.
Have a backup plan
Nearly every parent interviewed for this story described relying on a backup plan at some point.
For some, that meant grandparents. Others turned to nanny shares, adjusted work schedules or leaned on relatives and friends. Even families who ultimately secured daycare spots said having an alternative plan in place helped reduce the stress of an unpredictable process.
The point isn’t necessarily that any of those backup plans were ideal. It’s that many Charlotte parents end up needing them.
Think beyond traditional daycare
The world of childcare is much bigger than the big-name daycare centers most new parents initially focus on. Parents we spoke with suggested exploring church preschool programs, “Mom’s Day Out” programs, nanny shares, hybrid work arrangements, and family help.
Even if it’s not a viable long-term solution, it could help bridge a gap.
Above all, don’t assume your experience will look like anyone else’s.
Some parents found care quickly. Others spent years on waitlists. Some got lucky. Others pieced together one of those temporary solutions until something opened up.
But nearly everyone we spoke with shared the same reaction once they entered the process:
They wished someone had warned them sooner.
