Finding Childcare in Alexandria – and Beyond
The Process
Congratulations! You’re expecting! Enjoy this special time. Time to start thinking of names, choosing a theme for the nursery, and oh yes, look for childcare. Yes, in the DC area, finding quality childcare is not something that can wait until the last minute. If you’re planning to work after giving birth, our advice is to start the hunt for childcare as soon as you know you’re pregnant.
Our team has been through the process and can tell you, waitlists can be up to two years long! Some daycare facilities will tell people to get on their waitlist even before they’re expecting. On the flip side, if you use a listserv or local recommendation for a nanny, those providers generally want to start right away so you don’t start interviewing too soon on the nanny front!
Here are our best sources and tips for finding childcare in Alexandria and the greater DC area.
Services
White House Nannies has served the area since 1985. The local “gold standard,” White House Nannies offers much more than just nanny pairings. You can also find newborn care, summer nannies, event childcare, hotel childcare for travelers, even private chefs for your family with this service. White House Nannies charges a $300 non-refundable registration fee to activate your search, followed by a placement fee based on your chosen nanny’s annual salary (the minimum placement fee is 18 percent). All White House Nannies candidates extensively screened and interviewed. All have at least five years of previous childcare experience, are CPR-and First Aid-trained, and receive ongoing training and support.
Offering everything from after school care to tutors, date night childcare to full-time nannies, care.com offers it all. You can also find housekeepers, senior care and even pet sitters on this comprehensive site. Its digital platform provides a simple, comprehensive solution for finding, managing and paying for your care needs. Additionally, Care.com’s HomePay service can manage your household payroll and taxes for your caregivers.
Neighborhood Listservs
These listservs are a valuable source for all things parenting, but especially childcare!
Old Town Moms
oldtownmoms-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Beverly Hills
BeverleyHills-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
delraycitizens-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/WaynewoodNews/info
Also, check to see if your neighborhood has a Facebook or Nextdoor page.
Daycare Centers 
Read our related post for a complete list of daycare centers in Alexandria.
Au Pair Services
EurAupair
EurAupair is the official United States government designated exchange visitor program sponsor. EurAupair is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of improving understanding among people of different countries through cultural exchange.
Au Pair in America
Au Pair in America has been the nation’s leading provider for intercultural live-in childcare for more than 25 years.
Go Au Pair
Go Au Pair offers valuable cultural exchange experiences while providing reliable, live-in childcare meeting the specific needs of your family.
If you’re not looking for full-time childcare, but need a preschool option for your little one, read our related post.
The Bottom Line
There is no single way of finding childcare in Alexandria. The good news is that there are many options to explore depending on the needs of your family. From live-nannies to occasional sitters, there is an option for every family. Our best advice is to start the process early, get recommendations, and follow your instincts!
Would you like to connect with other families living in your desired area? Please let us know. We are always happy to connect our clients for recommendations and suggestions.
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