Waiting list

Demand typically exceeds capacity for spaces in the Technology Childcare Centers (TCC) on the MIT Cambridge campus. As a result, you will likely experience a wait before we are able to offer you enrollment. 

TCC has a total of 380 licensed childcare spaces - 263 of these spaces are in Cambridge on the MIT campus, and 117 of these spaces are in Lexington at 5 Forbes Road. Due to the demand for childcare, it is important that families also apply to childcare centers unaffiliated with MIT so that they have options. For help with a childcare search, please contact the MIT Work-Life team at worklife@mit.edu

The waiting list is organized using the following information:

  1. Requested start date
  2. Application fee payment date
  3. Age of child
  4. Schedule requested
  5. Enrollment priority group

Families with a child already enrolled int he program may get a space ahead of someone who applies earlier because of their "sibling priority". It is impossible for us to predict how quickly our waiting list will progress. Therefore, we cannot give an approximate entry date.

When a space becomes available

We will extend an offer to you as soon as we are aware of an opening. We do our best to give you as much time as possible to plan for your enrollment—often we are able to notify you a month or more in advance.

If we are unable to give you at least one month’s notice, you may defer your enrollment to the following month from the date we offer you the space. For example, if we notify you on June 1 of an opening that starts on June 15, you may defer your enrollment until July 1.

You may decline our offer and/or change your preferred start date and choose to remain on the waiting list. However, if you decline a second offer and/or change your preferred start date a second time, your name will be removed from the waiting list.

Considering a transfer between TCC locations?

If you wish to transfer your child from one TCC location to another, you must complete a new application form and pay the application fee. You will be placed on the waiting list and considered for enrollment according to general enrollment policies. We do not give priority to requests for transfer from one MIT center to another.

Can’t wait any longer? Review these other helpful childcare resources.