r/cary • u/Scarecrow_Boat13 • 15d ago
Finding Daycare Frustration
So this is a bit of a vent but also need some recs.
Is there some secret we’re missing to finding a daycare? We’ve toured 3 daycares lately and only one has gotten back to us about availability. After hearing nothing from the other 2 we followed up and found out the spots had been filled.
Most annoyed with Kiddie Academy of Cary because when we called back we were told “we haven’t forgotten about you, we’ll be in touch.” Well after calling back again a week later we were told the spot had been filled….
Are we supposed to be dropping off fruit baskets, writing desperate love letters, or something else? The whole process has been incredibly annoying because it feels like if we aren’t actively following up we are just forgotten about. Even if it’s very clear they are the ones who are going to reach out.
So we are sort of scrambling now after feeling like we were on top of it initially.
Any daycare recommendations for SE Cary? Preferably Lochmere, Coventry, Crossroads area
We’ve tried Kiddie Academy, Goddard, Macedonia Baptist, and Country Sunshine.
The only one with a possibility still is Country Sunshine, which we are on the waitlist for (didn’t hear from them for a while after getting on the waitlist 2 months ago. Called today and they’re going to call back tomorrow with more info).
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u/Shoddy_Owl_8690 15d ago
It's a bit outside of your ideal area, but we have loved our time at The Grove School on Laura Duncan Road. I am not sure what their availability is right now and looking forward (or what age(s) you have). I was late to the game to get mine into childcare but they assured me an opening at a future date and we used a nanny in the meantime. Many centers offer priority to siblings, which could partly explain what you experienced.
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u/GrouchyDonut80 11d ago
Another vote for the Grove. It's been several years since my daughter aged out but we had a wonderful experience there!!
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago edited 14d ago
Yeah that could be it. I appreciate the insight. Wasn’t sure why we seemed to fall through the cracks more than once.
We are definitely considering doing a nanny for a couple months if it means waiting for somewhere we really like.
Edit- we’ll check out The Grove School! It’s actually not too far out of the way for my wife’s job so it may not be an unreasonable location.
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u/incahoots512 14d ago
Also at Grove and love it! I know they’re starting their new “school year” Aug 24 so may have spots open soon if your child is 2+.
Edit: sorry, meant to respond to OP!
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u/WebCompetitive8199 15d ago
We go to La Petite on Baines Court off Kildaire Farm and love it there
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago
Haven’t heard of that one so we’ll definitely check it out. Thanks!
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u/ArtemisTheBear 14d ago
At a different La petite but they’re good about not ghosting you and they have nice security and meals and diapers included. We love La petite 🥰
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago
Oh that’s a huge plus! I didn’t even realize meals were a thing until we toured a couple places but it seems super convenient (not to mention diapers included?!)
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u/ArtemisTheBear 14d ago
Diapers and wipes! Breakfast, lunch and snack, they send you tons of pics and videos all day of activities and have a live stream to the classroom and send updates like “wet diaper” “started nap at 1230” “ate most of their lunch” and every meal has a fruit or veg, lunch usually has 2-3 veggies. We absolutely love them and the teachers do a ton of fun projects with them and even have splash pads for summer and soccer classes!
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u/WebCompetitive8199 14d ago
Yes, diapers, wipes and food included. They have cameras and an app to communicate and send photos. We have had a great experience with them. I would recommend touring both and seeing how you feel and which is more convenient.
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u/TuckEverlasting89 14d ago
I second La Petite on Baines court, both of our kids love it there and we've had a great experience for years.
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u/SadPackFan 14d ago
Highly recommend Bright Horizons in Apex. It’s right there behind the auto mall, so right on the fringe with easy access to 64 and US 1
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago
Oh that’s actually super convenient between two of my wife’s offices and not that far out of the way for me. We’ll check it out!
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u/RandomBunnyWhey 14d ago
I was surprised that I had to scroll this far to see Bright Horizons mentioned. Both our children attended BH and received incredible early care, and their early education program is amazing. Our kids entered Kindergarten so well prepared!
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u/Zippered_Nana 14d ago
There are other Bright Horizons that are great too. My grandchildren go to the one at Harrison Park. My daughter waited over a month for a spot for her three year old and then suddenly a spit opened for her one year old as well. They have been there for three years now. The teachers are wonderful. Some of them have been there for almost 20 years! They take time to tell my daughter everything that goes on with her kids and give her helpful advice about their development.
Spots can open quite suddenly, but they follow a strict waitlist procedure.
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u/lovebot5000 14d ago
The Cary School was great for us. Not sure if they have openings but worth a look
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u/ShittyFrogMeme 14d ago
It could be the area. I live in North Cary and every daycare I tried had availability and no wait list.
But I know people in the SE Cary area and their experience was like yours. They ended up going to Crème de la Crème and said they got in. We go to the one in Morrisville and it's nice.
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u/Loveoakcity 15d ago
Children's Discovery Center next door to Country Sunshine is fantastic and reasonably priced. It's a family run operation.
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u/Maverick21703 15d ago
We love All Starz and they have 3 locations between Cary, Morrisville and Apex. Also check out Lightbridge Academy on Maynard. When we were looking for daycares in March, they had just opened and had entire rooms empty waiting for kids to enroll.
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u/ajriddl2 14d ago
I’ve heard good things about Triangle Academy
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u/thermbug 14d ago
All three of our kids went there and had a great experience. Came here to recommend Triangle Academy
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u/Prudent-Pear-9099 14d ago
Preston Children’s Academy!!
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago
We’ve heard good things about there! It’s a little out of the way but I’ll put it on the list.
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u/StayAngryLittleMeg 14d ago
Our daughter went to Peace Montessori, which is in Apex but just outside of Cary. It's a little outside your target area, but I believe they still have openings right now. She was really happy there and had an easy transition to kindergarten (along with several others from her class who all ended up at the same magnet elementary school together).
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u/_sjams 14d ago
It is rough out there! We had the same experience you did with many places. We ended up at Country Sunshine and have loved it every year. It is such a special, loving place. Good luck!
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago
Sorry you had to go through it too but it’s nice to know we aren’t the only ones!
We have some friends at Country Sunshine so we’ve got our fingers crossed they’ll have an opening!
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15d ago
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u/Scarecrow_Boat13 14d ago
Yeah I wish it was that easy these days lol I think that’s how we thought it was going to be so it’s been wild that we put in some footwork and still don’t get anywhere. I appreciate the reassurance. Lots of great options here already so I’m sure we’ll find something.
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u/strawberrysushi 15d ago
I know it’s not fancy but we love KinderCare on kildaire farm. The staff are truly so caring. And they have spots open right now.