when to start thinking about daycare?

QCinOct

I'm planning on taking the year of mat leave but do places have wait lists? Is this something I need to look into while still pg or do I have plenty of time?

Kriz_b

depends on where you are looking for daycare.  I called my work about going back early (EI ran out, long story) and by the time they finally got their heads out of their a$$es they called me on a thursday to say I start on monday.  My dad ended up watching him till I quit but I called a few places near me and they would have had openings right away if I wanted.  I'm in Oshawa

sapicochung1

I actually started looking before I had my daughter. I was about 6 mos pregnant and put myself on a wait list. Not all places do that and not all places will have such a far in advance wait list. If you are doing home daycare you might have to call closer to when you are going back to work.

Mrs.C042807

I put DS on a waitlist for peekaboo daycare when he was 2 weeks old.  He was number 3 on the list then. 

E_sharp

Check with the uni, maybe they have daycare or something associated you could look into.

Jen&Joe06

Around here the wait lists are well over a year. Also a lot of places don't take babies under 18 months. We found an in home daycare last March and I got the last spot (B is 3 months right now). He starts next April.