How Westwood Academy Arvada fills child care waiting list

The plywood cubbies are still just stacks of flat-pack wood in the back room of the new Westwood Academy Arvada. Outside, the murals are bright, cheerful things painted on drywall that hasn’t quite settled. But RB Fast isn’t looking at the art. She’s looking at a list.

It’s a list of families waiting to walk through those heavy fire doors.

Fast, who owns a center in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood and is opening this new Arvada spot later this spring, has a waiting list so thick she’s already fielding calls from a neighboring center owner. That neighbor has more interest than spaces. He’s calling Fast directly, asking when he can start sending families her way.

That’s the reality for thousands of Coloradans right now. Child care isn’t just expensive; it’s a logistical nightmare that forces parents to plan, fail, panic, and then plan again.

I know this from personal experience. When my wife and I were expecting our first child, I built a color-coded spreadsheet. It stretched to 33 centers. Almost none of them had space for us, even though our kid was still six months from being born. The one center that did have an opening was a 30-minute drive in the opposite direction from my job.

We ended up on eight waitlists. We paid application fees for most of them, burning through close to $1,000 in total. And still no child care. One center owner gave us a direct quote that still stings: “We have a lot of current families who are expecting, and we do give priority to siblings, so they are taking up all the spots.”

A friend texted me later: “Man, infant care — what a pain in the ass.”

It didn’t have to be this way. Not exactly.

There are things you can do to navigate the system without losing your mind. And this guide is here to help.

First, understand what you’re actually looking for. The landscape of care is fractured. You have family home daycares, large centers, and preschools. Each has different rules, different costs, and different availability. The key is to start searching before you think you need it.

Waitlists are the new normal. And they’re getting longer.

When you search, don’t just look at the price tag. Look at the waitlist length. A center might advertise a spot available today, but if the infant room is full, that spot might not open up for 18 months. Ask about the age range they serve. Some centers specialize in toddlers; others take infants. If you’re looking for infant care, start your search when you’re still pregnant.

And here’s the thing though: the rules around waitlist fees have changed. You used to pay to get on the list. Now, you often pay to keep your spot. Make sure you understand the fine print.

Fast’s experience in Arvada is a microcosm of the state’s broader struggle. Demand is outpacing supply. Parents are waiting. Providers are building. But the gap remains.

So, what’s the solution?

Start early. Be flexible. And don’t be afraid to call around.

The next time you’re stuck in traffic on I-70, thinking about where your kid will be at 3 p.m., remember this: you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy. The system is broken. But it’s fixable. One cubby at a time.