Moving to a New City Daycare Guide 2026: Finding Childcare When Relocating

Moving to a new city is stressful enough—add finding childcare from afar and the challenge multiplies. How do you research daycares remotely? How far ahead should you start? What about waitlists and deposits from a distance?

This guide covers everything about finding daycare when relocating in 2026: timeline for searching, researching from afar, managing the transition, and helping your child adjust to new care.

Table of Contents

• Timeline for Your Search
• Researching Remotely
• Virtual Tours and Evaluation
• Managing Waitlists from Afar
• The Transition Process
• Helping Your Child Adjust
• Backup Plans

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Timeline for Your Search

When to start and what to do when.

3-6 Months Before Move

Research phase:

• [ ] Identify neighborhoods you might live in
• [ ] Research daycare options online
• [ ] Check waitlist lengths in new city
• [ ] Get on waitlists for top choices
• [ ] Budget for deposits from afar

2-3 Months Before Move

Active search:

• [ ] Schedule virtual tours
• [ ] Talk to directors remotely
• [ ] Join local parent groups
• [ ] Narrow down choices
• [ ] Pay deposits to hold spots
• [ ] Finalize housing (impacts daycare location)

1 Month Before Move

Logistics:

• [ ] Confirm daycare enrollment
• [ ] Complete paperwork remotely
• [ ] Get records from current daycare
• [ ] Transfer immunization records
• [ ] Set start date

Move Week

Execution:

• [ ] In-person tour before first day
• [ ] Meet teachers
• [ ] Finalize any remaining paperwork
• [ ] Prepare supplies

First Weeks in New City

Transition:

• [ ] Gradual start if possible
• [ ] Daily communication with daycare
• [ ] Support child through adjustment
• [ ] Build new community

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Researching Remotely

Finding options from far away.

Online Resources

Where to search:

• DaycarePath Directory
• State licensing databases
• Google Maps (daycare near [neighborhood])
• Yelp and Google reviews
• Facebook local parent groups
• Nextdoor for new area
• Care.com listings

Reading Reviews from Afar

What to look for:

• Recent reviews (last 6 months)
• Specific details vs. vague praise
• Pattern recognition
• Response to negative reviews
• Multiple sources

Red flags in reviews:

• Safety concerns mentioned
• Staff turnover noted repeatedly
• Communication problems
• Pattern of same complaints

Joining Local Parent Groups

How to connect:

• Facebook groups for [City] parents
• Reddit local parenting communities
• Nextdoor for specific neighborhoods
• Peanut app for parent connections

What to ask:

• Daycare recommendations
• Warnings about specific places
• Waitlist experiences
• Real parent perspectives

Asking Current Daycare

They may help with:

• Recommendations in new area
• Transfer of records
• Tips for the transition
• Reference letter for new daycare

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Virtual Tours and Evaluation

Assessing daycares remotely.

Scheduling Virtual Tours

How to request:

• Call or email daycare
• Ask if they offer virtual tours
• Suggest video call (Zoom, FaceTime)
• Be flexible on timing
• Prepare questions in advance

What to Ask to See

Request they show:

• Your child's classroom
• Outdoor play area
• Eating area
• Nap area
• Bathrooms
• Safety features
• General facility

Questions for Virtual Tours

Essential questions:

1. "What's your current availability for [child's age]?"
2. "What's your waitlist situation?"
3. "Can you walk me through a typical day?"
4. "What's your staff turnover like?"
5. "How do you handle new child transitions?"
6. "What's the enrollment process remotely?"

Evaluating Without In-Person Visit

How to assess:

• Watch for teacher-child interactions during video
• Note cleanliness and organization
• Listen to background sounds
• Observe how they handle the tour
• Ask for references to call

Getting References

Request:

• Current parent phone numbers
• Especially parents who enrolled remotely
• Recent families who moved there
• Ask about communication quality

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Managing Waitlists from Afar

Securing spots before you arrive.

Getting on Waitlists

Process:

• Many accept remote applications
• Pay deposits online or by mail
• Provide estimated start date
• Update them on your timeline
• Stay in regular contact

Deposit Considerations

Typical requirements: | Fee Type | Amount | Refundable? | |----------|--------|-------------| | Waitlist deposit | $50-250 | Sometimes | | Registration fee | $100-300 | Usually no | | First month deposit | 1-2 weeks tuition | Often applied |

Budget for:

• Deposits at multiple daycares
• Potential lost deposits
• Cost of holding spots

Multiple Waitlists

Strategy:

• Apply to several (3-5+)
• Mix first choices and backups
• Track all applications
• Be prepared to choose quickly
• Communicate when you decide

When You Don't Know Your Address

How to handle:

• Apply to daycares in target neighborhoods
• Update when housing confirmed
• Consider proximity when choosing home
• Some flexibility may be needed

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The Transition Process

Managing the move and childcare transition.

Before You Leave

At current daycare:

• Give proper notice
• Request records transfer
• Get copy of all documents
• Say goodbye properly
• Ask for transition tips

Documents to bring:

• [ ] Immunization records
• [ ] Medical forms
• [ ] Developmental assessments
• [ ] IEP if applicable
• [ ] Allergy documentation
• [ ] Emergency contact info

During the Move

If possible:

• Have backup care available
• Plan for gap between jobs and daycare
• Family help during transition
• Build in buffer time

First Visit in New City

Before first day:

• Tour in person
• Meet teachers
• Walk through facility
• Complete any remaining paperwork
• Drop off supplies
• Discuss transition plan

First Days

Transition schedule:

• Day 1: Short visit (1-2 hours)
• Day 2: Half day
• Day 3: Longer day
• Week 1: Gradual extension
• Week 2: Full schedule

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Helping Your Child Adjust

Supporting through double transition.

Understanding the Challenge

Your child is processing:

• New home
• New neighborhood
• New daycare
• New teachers
• New friends
• Possibly parent job stress

This is a lot. Patience is essential.

Preparation Before Move

Help your child:

• Talk about the move positively
• Show pictures of new daycare
• Read books about moving
• Acknowledge it's hard
• Bring comfort items

Easing the Transition

Strategies:

• Keep routines stable
• Extra comfort and connection
• Talk about feelings
• Patience with regression
• Celebrate small wins

Signs of Adjustment

Watch for:

• Gradual improvement
• Talking about new friends
• Remembering teachers' names
• Less crying at drop-off
• Happy to return

When to Be Concerned

Seek help if:

• No improvement after 4-6 weeks
• Extreme behaviors
• Complete refusal
• Physical symptoms persist
• Your gut says something's wrong

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Backup Plans

When things don't go as planned.

Common Challenges

What can happen:

• Spot you held doesn't work out
• Start date doesn't align with your needs
• Reality doesn't match expectations
• Child doesn't adjust well
• Waitlist spot doesn't open

Having Backup Options

Maintain:

• Multiple waitlist positions
• Nanny/babysitter contacts
• Family who can help short-term
• Work flexibility if possible
• Emergency backup care options

If Daycare Doesn't Work Out

Quick alternatives:

• Other daycares with availability
• Home daycares (often more flexible)
• Nanny or nanny share
• Temporary family help
• Corporate backup care (if available)

When to Reassess

Consider changes if:

• Red flags appear after starting
• Child continues to struggle
• Your needs aren't met
• Better option becomes available
• It's just not working

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Special Considerations

Job-Related Relocations

If employer is moving you:

• Ask about childcare assistance
• Relocation packages may help
• Corporate daycare at new office?
• Backup care benefits available?
• Time off for transition

Military Families

Resources:

• Child Development Centers on base
• Military OneSource support
• Priority for military families often
• Fee assistance programs
• Deployment considerations

International Moves

Additional considerations:

• Different licensing standards
• Language considerations
• Cultural differences
• Work visa timing
• Longer planning timeline needed

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Moving Checklist

3-6 Months Out

• [ ] Research new city daycare options
• [ ] Get on waitlists
• [ ] Join local parent groups
• [ ] Budget for deposits

2-3 Months Out

• [ ] Virtual tours scheduled
• [ ] Directors contacted
• [ ] Spots held/deposits paid
• [ ] Housing finalized (affects location)

1 Month Out

• [ ] Enrollment confirmed
• [ ] Paperwork completed
• [ ] Records transferred
• [ ] Start date set

Move Week

• [ ] In-person visit done
• [ ] Teachers met
• [ ] Supplies dropped off
• [ ] Transition plan discussed

First Month

• [ ] Gradual transition executed
• [ ] Daily check-ins with daycare
• [ ] Child supported through adjustment
• [ ] Community building begun

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Resources

• Find Daycare in Any City
• Switching Daycares Guide
• First Week of Daycare Tips
• Daycare Separation Anxiety Guide

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Last updated: December 2025