Child Not Admitted to Public Daycare? What to Do Next

Your Child Didn't Get Into Public Daycare: What Now?

Did you apply for a place at the municipal daycare (asilo nido), only to find that your child wasn't admitted? It's a situation that puts many families in a difficult position, especially when both parents work and need to organise their day.

Places in public daycare centres are limited, and admission depends on the criteria and scores set out in the municipality's call for applications. Not getting a place, however, doesn't mean you're left without options.

From waiting lists to accredited private daycares, and on to the help of a babysitter or an au pair, there are several possibilities to consider depending on your child's age, your family's schedule and your available budget.

Let's look at what to do, step by step.

1. Check the Ranking and Your Child's Position

The first thing to do is to check the ranking published by the municipality where you submitted your application.

Check whether your child is listed as:

• admitted to one of the facilities indicated;
• placed on the waiting list;
• excluded from the ranking;
• waiting for the final ranking to be published.

Also read the call for applications carefully: admission criteria, acceptance procedures and deadlines can vary from one municipality to another.

If you think mistakes were made in awarding the score, check whether you can file an appeal and respect the deadlines. In Roma Capitale, for example, the 2026/2027 call set out a specific procedure for contesting errors in the provisional ranking, with a deadline of ten working days from publication.

2. Is Your Child on the Waiting List? Don't Give Up Yet

If your child wasn't admitted in the first round, they may be placed on a waiting list.

During the school year, places can become available when families withdraw or because of other changes. In these cases, the municipality may move down the ranking according to its rules.

Check the administration's communications regularly and make sure the contact details in your application are correct.

Attention: if you're offered a place, check straight away the deadline for accepting it. The consequences of declining can also vary depending on the call and the type of place offered.

In the meantime, it's wise to arrange an alternative solution rather than relying solely on the chance of being called.

3. Consider a Private Daycare

One option is to look for a private daycare in your area.

Before choosing, compare several aspects:

• monthly cost and additional expenses;
• opening hours and flexibility;
• distance from home or from work;
• number of children per educator, according to the applicable requirements;
• educational approach and activities offered;
• meals, naps and how the settling-in period is handled;
• authorisations and the facility's requirements.

Ask whether financial incentives or contributions compatible with the chosen facility are available. Also check whether the municipality has agreements with private providers or offers other ways to gain access.

A private daycare can suit families who want an organised educational setting and daily opportunities for their child to socialise with other children.

4. Find Out About Contributions Towards Daycare Costs

Before ruling out a private daycare for financial reasons, check which benefits are available.

Depending on the requirements and the measures currently in force, families can look at the INPS daycare bonus (Bonus asilo nido) and any municipal or regional contributions.

Amounts, requirements and application procedures can change. It is therefore important to consult the latest information from INPS and your municipality, also checking that the facility your child attends is eligible for the specific benefit.

Don't assume the contribution will cover the entire fee: before making a decision, calculate how much would actually remain to be paid by your family.

5. Babysitter: An Alternative for Those Who Need Flexibility

If you can't find a place at a daycare, or you need a temporary solution, you can consider a babysitter.

This option can be useful when parents work shifts, have variable hours, or want their child to stay in their own home environment.

A babysitter can look after the child during the agreed hours, within the duties established and the applicable conditions.

Before entrusting your child to a babysitter, it's important to check their experience, references, availability and ability to handle the child's needs. It's also useful to arrange an initial getting-to-know-you period and to define hours, pay and responsibilities clearly.

Compared with daycare, a babysitter offers a more individual relationship, but doesn't necessarily replace the opportunities for socialisation and the educational project of an early-childhood facility.

6. Au Pair: An Option for Families Who Want a Cultural Exchange

Another solution to consider is the au pair experience.

An au pair is generally a young person from another country who lives with a host family and helps look after the children as part of a cultural exchange experience.

For some families, this can help organise part of the daily routine, encourage exposure to a foreign language and introduce children to new cultures.

It is important to understand, however, that an au pair is not an automatic replacement for daycare. The programme has specific requirements, limits and conditions, which also depend on the country concerned and the applicable legislation.

Before choosing this solution, consider:

• the child's age and needs;
• the person's experience with children of the same age group;
• the agreed hours and activities;
• the availability of adequate space at home;
• the overall costs, including food, accommodation, pocket money and other applicable charges;
• the legal conditions of the stay and the programme.

An au pair can be an interesting option for families looking for a cultural experience and help with family life, as long as it suits the child's needs and is organised properly.

7. Can Daycare and a Babysitter or Au Pair Be Combined?

In some situations it is possible to combine different solutions.

For example, a family might choose a private daycare for part of the day and arrange help at home for the hours when the parents are working.

The combination depends on the budget, the availability of the people involved and the terms of the respective services or arrangements.

You don't always have to choose just one solution: the goal is to find a sustainable arrangement that guarantees your child adequate care, continuity and safety.

8. How Do You Choose the Best Solution for Your Child?

Before making a decision, try to answer these questions:

How many hours of care do you need? If you have to cover a whole working day, an occasional solution may not be enough.

What is your monthly budget? Compare the total cost of daycare, a babysitter and any alternatives, taking into account the contributions available.

How does your child cope with being separated from their parents? Age, temperament and habits matter when choosing the setting and the people who will look after them.

How important is socialising with other children? If you mainly want a group educational experience, daycare may be particularly suitable.

Do you need flexible help at home? A babysitter or, under certain conditions, an au pair can meet some different organisational needs.

The most suitable solution is the one that balances the parents' needs with the child's wellbeing.

Find the Right Solution for Your Family

Not getting a place at public daycare can be frustrating, but it can also be an opportunity to consider other ways of organising family life.

If you're looking for help with the daily care of your children, our platform aims to make it easier for families and people interested in an au pair experience to meet.

You can browse the available profiles, learn about the candidates' motivations and assess whether a cultural exchange experience fits your family's needs.

Remember that the choice should always start from the child's needs: an au pair can contribute to family life, but doesn't automatically replace an early-childhood education service.

Discover the au pair opportunities on our platform and find a solution that suits your family's organisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If my child doesn't get into municipal daycare, can I appeal?

It depends on the stage of the ranking and the municipality's rules. If you believe there have been assessment errors, consult the call for applications and check the deadlines and procedures for submitting a possible objection.

Can I be called from the waiting list during the year?

Yes, it can happen if places become available and the municipality moves down the ranking. It is not guaranteed, however: it depends on your child's position and on local rules.

Can the daycare bonus be used for a babysitter?

The Bonus asilo nido is intended for expenses allowed under the INPS rules for attendance at early-childhood facilities. It shouldn't be seen as a general contribution towards paying a babysitter or an au pair. Check the official conditions before submitting an application.

Can an au pair look after a child who wasn't admitted to daycare?

An au pair can contribute to the child's care within the limits of the programme and the applicable agreements. The family must assess whether this solution is suitable for the child's age and needs, and must not automatically treat it as equivalent to an authorised education service.

Is a babysitter or daycare better?

It depends on the family's needs. Daycare offers an organised educational environment and socialising with peers; a babysitter offers individual support and can be more flexible. The choice should also take into account costs, schedules and the child's needs.

Conclusion

If your child wasn't admitted to public daycare, the first thing to do is check the ranking, verify any waiting list and find out about the possibility of contesting errors.

In the meantime, you can compare private daycares, available contributions and family support solutions such as babysitters and au pairs.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution: knowing the alternatives helps you organise your child's care with greater peace of mind and confidence.