Can You Apply While Still Pregnant?
Many private Montessori daycares in Vaughan do allow expectant parents to join waitlists or apply for a future spot even before the child is born. In fact, given the typically long wait times for infant and toddler openings, families are often advised to register as early as possible – sometimes as soon as pregnancy is confirmed.
Some Montessori programs note that it’s not unusual for parents to apply “shortly after conception,” well in advance of when care will be needed. For example, one Vaughan Montessori childcare center’s online form explicitly asks for the child’s “Date of birth/Due date,” allowing parents-to-be to enter an expected due date if the baby hasn’t arrived yet. This means you can get on a waitlist during pregnancy using a placeholder name (often “Baby [Last Name]”) and your due date, then update the details once your child is born.
However, policies do vary by daycare. A few centers may request that you wait until the baby is born before they will add you to the list. It’s wise to contact each Montessori daycare you’re interested in and ask about their waitlist policy for unborn children. In general, though, most Vaughan-area childcare providers recognize the demand for infant spots and will permit early applications so that parents can secure a placement well ahead of their child’s start date.
How Early Registration and Waitlists Work
Joining a waitlist early typically involves a few simple steps. First, many Montessori schools require that you schedule a tour or visit the campus before your child can be added to the waitlist.
After the tour, you’ll fill out a waitlist or pre-registration form with details such as your name, contact information, desired start date, and the child’s name/age (or due date if unborn). No fees or deposits are charged just to join the waiting list – licensed Ontario child care centers are not permitted to charge waitlist fees. The request will then be timestamped, and your child’s name is added to the list in order of when the application was received.
Waitlist priority is usually first-come, first-served, but there are some exceptions. Many Montessori daycares give priority to siblings of current students or returning families, which can bump new applicants down the list. It’s a good idea to periodically check in for updates – Vaughan centers will generally let you know your child’s position on the list upon request.
When a spot becomes available for your time frame (e.g. when your baby reaches the center’s minimum age, such as 6 months or 18 months old), the school will contact you. Be prepared to respond quickly: often you may have only 24 hours to accept the spot before it’s offered to the next family in line.
Documentation and Next Steps
Applying to a Montessori program while pregnant is usually straightforward since initial waitlist registration requires minimal paperwork. As noted, you might use a placeholder name for the baby and an expected birth date.
Once your child is born and a daycare spot is offered, you will need to complete the full enrollment process. This typically includes submitting an official application form and providing all required documentation. Expect to show or provide copies of your child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and possibly a health form signed by a doctor. Ontario law requires up-to-date vaccinations or a valid exemption for children in licensed childcare, so make sure to have your baby’s shots in order before their first day.
In terms of securing the spot, most private centers will ask for a registration fee and a deposit (often the first and last month’s tuition) once you accept an offer of admission. Only after these fees are paid and the enrollment forms are signed will your child’s spot be guaranteed. Essentially, joining the waitlist early holds your place in line, but you’ll finalize the admission and payment details closer to your child’s start date (which for infant programs is often when the baby is around 12 – 18 months old, depending on the school’s minimum age).
Financial Assistance for Montessori Daycare
Financing child care is a major concern for many families, especially with private Montessori programs that can be costly. The good news is that some relief measures are available, even for private centers.
Ontario has rolled out the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC), which gradually reduces daycare fees for children under 6, aiming to average $10 a day by 2026. Many (though not all) private Montessori daycares have opted into this program, which means families automatically receive subsidized fee reductions regardless of income.
Aside from government programs, direct financial aid or discounts from the daycare itself are uncommon for infants. Private Montessori centers generally don’t offer sliding-scale fees. However, enrolling under the age of 6 at a CWELCC-participating Montessori like Cozy Time will automatically give you a substantial fee reduction. Combining the York Region subsidy with the CWELCC lowered rates can make even a private Montessori program surprisingly affordable.
We are a proud participant of the CWELCC program
And speaking about private daycares, Cozy Time proudly participates in the CWELCC program. As a result, families enrolling at Cozy Time automatically benefit from the lowered daycare fees, significantly reducing overall costs. Additionally, Cozy Time also accepts the York Region Child Care Fee Subsidy. If you qualify for this subsidy based on income and employment or educational criteria, it can further decrease your daycare expenses.