University of Minnesota Child Care Center (UMCCC)

Top ten frequently asked waiting list questions

Being on a long waiting list can be frustrating. We compiled these answers to questions parents frequently ask with the hope that this information will be helpful to you. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please call the University of Minnesota Child Care Center at 612-625-2273 or e-mail Tracy Beseman, UMCCC’s enrollment coordinator, at besem011@umn.edu. Thank you for your patience.

1. How long is the waiting list?

The waiting list is quite lengthy. Over 300 children are on the waiting list prior to our semi-annual formal waiting list update mailing. After the update is complete, approximately 250 will probably remain on the list. UMCCC has a licensed capacity for 140 children. For every enrolled child, nearly two are waiting to get in. The most recent family to enroll in Infants had been waiting for 18 months. The most recent enrollee in Toddlers waited for 21 months. We seldom enroll children in Preschool from the waiting list as it usually fills with children moving up from our toddler program. Children enrolling in preschool from the waiting list have waited for up to three years.

2. Will my child get in faster if I wait for part time?

We regret to inform you that part time is extremely limited. If you are only waiting for part time, it is possible that you may never be offered an opening. Most children are enrolled on a full time basis. In infants, DHS licensing requirements oblige us to have a crib for every enrolled infant. We only have room for 10 cribs in each of our two infant classrooms. This means that each room can only serve 8 full time infants and 2 part time matched infants (one MWF and one TTH infant). The space limitations are eased somewhat in Toddlers and Preschool, but part time openings are rarely offered to families on the waiting list due to requests from families already enrolled in the program. When a part time slot becomes available, it is offered first to these families. If we have no internal requests we then go to the waiting list. Many families choose to enroll on a full time basis and then request part time as soon as possible. While we try to accommodate their requests for part time, the wait can be 6 months or more.

3. Can I stop in anytime and have a look around?

In order to provide a safe and secure environment for the children we can only permit you to enter the child care bungalows if you are accompanied by a staff member. To sign up for a tour on Tuesday at 10 a.m. or Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., please call the front desk at 612-625-2273.

4. If my child is still on the waiting list when he or she reaches toddler age (or preschool age) do I go to the bottom of the waiting list for that age group?

Your child’s name will be added to the toddler (or preschool) waiting list by your original date of application. His or her name will be higher on the list than those who applied after you did and lower on the list than those who applied before you did.

5. How is it possible someone who applied after I did was offered a space before me?

The only priorities we offer are for children of Center staff, for previously enrolled children returning from an authorized paid leave of absence, and for siblings of enrolled children. Aside from these priorities, it is possible for someone who applied after you did to be offered a spot before you if any of the following situations apply:

• Your preferred start date is more than 30 days in the future. Because most openings occur in the summer months, those with preferred start dates in the summer months are more likely to be offered an opening. For example, you applied in January 2006 but indicated a preferred start date of November 1, 2007. None of the openings occurring from June through August 2007 would be offered to you because they’re not within 30 days of your preferred start date. Someone who applied in September 2006 but had a preferred start date of June 2007 or earlier could be offered one of these openings.
• The opening is in a different age group (i.e. your child is toddler aged [16-35 months old] and the opening occurs in Infants or your child is preschool aged [over 35 months old] and the opening is in Toddlers). Fewer openings occur in Preschool because of the need for children already in the program to move up. Due to internal movement, most of the openings occurring during the academic year (September through May) are in the Infant area.
• You are only waiting for part time.
• We didn’t receive your waiting list update form. Waiting list update forms are sent out in the fall and in the spring to everyone on the list (except to those who applied within the 3 months prior to the update mailing). The names of those who do not return the form to us are deleted, so it is very important that you notify us whenever your address and/or phone numbers change.

6. I didn’t return my update form. Do I go to the bottom of the list?

If your update form wasn’t returned and your application was deleted from the waiting list, you will be reinstated by your original date of application once you contact us and let us know you are still interested.

7. I returned my update form. When will I hear from you about where I am on the list?

It’s just not feasible for us to contact each of the waiting families to tell them where they are on the continually changing list. Movement on the waiting list is not only a result of enrollment offers accepted or declined. Waiting children grow older and move to the next age group list. Dormant applications become active as their preferred start date nears. Applicants request changes in enrollment options and preferred start dates or for deleted applications to be reactivated. Only our enrollment coordinator, Tracy Beseman, is able to provide specific waiting list information. You may call her at 612-625-2273 on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. and Tuesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. or contact her by e-mail: besem011@umn.edu. She will be able to provide you more accurate information after the update is complete (about 3 weeks after the due date).

8. Do I have to wait until you send me an update form to change my preferred start date or enrollment options?

You may make changes anytime before you are actually offered an opening by calling 612-625-2273 and letting the front desk know what you would like to change, or by sending your changes via e-mail to besem011@umn.edu. (If you have received a waiting list update form, please use that to make any changes.) By changing your preferred start date or enrollment options before an opening is offered to you, you can avoid losing your place on the list if the option available is one you are no longer interested in or the opening has come up before you want to accept it. Once you have been offered the opening it is too late to make changes. You must accept the opening as offered or your child’s name will be deleted or put on the bottom of the waiting list, whichever you prefer.

9. Can you recommend any other center or child care provider?

We don't make recommendations of specific centers other than to tell you to look for one that is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. NAEYC’s Web site or the Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children at 651-646-8689 can provide you with a list of accredited centers. Online searchable databases for child care are available to U of M employees through Career/Life Alliances, Inc. Enter: Login: University Password: Minnesota. Consultations on child care are also conducted by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by calling 952-894-0727.

10. I was told… (Not technically a question, but something we hear often)

Well-meaning co-workers, colleagues, friends, relatives or acquaintances sometimes inadvertently provide misinformation. To get accurate answers to your questions about the University of Minnesota Child Care Center and its waiting list call 612-625-2273 or e-mail your questions to besem011@umn.edu.

Revised March 2008