DEWITT, NY - Dozens of parents waited in line all night at DeWitt Town Hall last night, seeking a coveted spot in the town's before- and after-school child care program.

The town of DeWitt offers before- and after-school child care during the school year, and only has 65 spots, parents said. Registration started at 8 a.m., and parents wanted to be first in line.

"Every year it has been harder and harder to get a spot, and last year I waited overnight too,'' said Dana Zanders, who arrived at 11 p.m. Monday to camp out. She was No. 1 to get a spot in the program for her 11-year-old.

"Everyone wants to get a spot because it's affordable - about $40 a week,'' she said. "And it's less if you want just before or after school."

Friends Salatha Willis and Dana Zanders waited in line all night for a spot in the town's child care program.

At 12:15 a.m., Zanders' friend Salatha Willis showed up to wait in line on the sidewalk in a folding chair. He successfully signed up his two boys, ages 9 and 11, for the program.

"Anywhere you would pay three times what the town charges," Willis said.

By 7:40 a.m., the town had opened the doors to town hall and parents could sit in the courtroom and wait to register.

Corrie Raulli said she didn't arrive until 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, and didn't get a spot but landed a spot on the waiting list.

They didn't hand out numbers, but everyone waiting in line was very civil and respectful of each other, Raulli said.

Zanders said four years ago, she arrived at 9 a.m. for registration, and got a spot.

"That's not the case anymore,'' she said.