Waiting List

The Center Director maintains the waiting list. The date of registration and a priority category letter are entered on the waiting list with the child’s name and birth date. The wait time for a child care space is largely dependent on the age of the child and priority category. Often, a family can be on the waitlist for a year or more. The priority category letter is assigned as follows:

Priority Category “A”

• Children (dependents) of NIST employees

Priority Category “B”

• Children (dependents) of NIST Child Care Center staff
• Children (dependents) of NIST guest researchers or post-doctoral appointees

Priority Category “C”

• Children (dependents) of other Federal employees who work NIST
• Grandchildren of NIST employees

Priority Category “D”

• Children (dependents) of NIST-affiliated contractors (e.g., CARB, COMSTAR, etc.)

Priority Category “E”

• Children (dependents) of Federal employees (non-NIST) who do not work at NIST

The priority category can be updated if the status of the parent or grandparent changes at any time and if the Center is notified of the change.

The child’s name will be removed from the waiting list if (1) the child becomes enrolled at the Center, (2) the parent /guardian of the child informs the Center Director that they no longer seek enrollment at the Center, (3) the child turns 11 years old, or (4) the parent or grandparent is no longer employed at NIST. A child’s placement on the waiting list is not changed in the event that a vacancy is offered but not accepted.