When I first started navigating childcare waitlists in Durham Region, I had no idea what I was doing. I made every mistake. Applied too late. Applied to the wrong age group. Assumed "on the list" meant "in line." It doesn't.
Here's what I've learned — the stuff that other parents and daycare directors have shared with me along the way. I hope it saves you some of the stress it caused me.
1. "On the waitlist" doesn't mean what you think
Getting your name on a waitlist doesn't guarantee you a position in a queue. Many centres don't operate on a strict first-come, first-served basis. Siblings of current families often get priority. Some centres prioritize families in their immediate neighbourhood. Others give preference to full-time over part-time applicants.
Ask the centre directly: how does your waitlist work? What factors affect priority? You'll get a much clearer picture of where you actually stand.
2. Infant spots are a different universe
If you need care for a child under 18 months, the math is working against you. Ontario regulations require a 3:1 ratio for infants — three babies per one educator. That means a centre with space for 60 children might only have 6 to 9 infant spots total. Compare that to preschool ratios of 8:1 and you can see why infant waitlists are years long in some areas.
If infant care is what you need, start looking before the baby is born. Seriously. Some families in Durham Region put their names down during the first trimester.
3. September is your best friend
The biggest wave of turnover in childcare happens in September, when four- and five-year-olds leave for junior kindergarten. That opens up preschool spots, which creates a ripple effect — toddlers move up to preschool rooms, which opens toddler spots, and so on.
If you can time your start date near September, you'll have the best odds of landing a spot. This isn't always possible, but it's worth keeping in mind when planning your return to work.
4. Check in. Then check in again.
Don't just apply and wait in silence. Directors manage a lot of names, and an occasional polite check-in — a quick email or phone call every couple of months — does two things. It confirms that you're still actively looking (which matters, since many families on the list aren't), and it keeps your name top of mind.
You don't need to be pushy. A simple "Hi, I just wanted to confirm we're still on your waitlist for toddler care. Our timeline hasn't changed — we're hoping to start in the fall. Thanks so much!" goes a long way.
5. Cast a wider net than you think, but a smarter one
Applying to every centre in a 30-kilometre radius might feel productive, but it's not strategic. Think about your actual daily life — your commute route, the backup person who might do pickup, the grandparent who lives nearby. A centre that's technically farther from your house but right next to your office or on your partner's commute might be a better fit than the one around the corner.
Focus on centres that genuinely fit your logistics. Three well-chosen applications will serve you better than twelve scattered ones.
6. Don't overlook licensed home child care
Centre-based care gets most of the attention, but licensed home child care can be excellent — especially for younger children. The ratios are small (often 5 or 6 children total), the environment is home-like, and the hours can be more flexible.
In Ontario, licensed home child care providers operate through agencies like Wee Watch that handle oversight, training, and compliance. It's regulated and inspected, just in a different setting than a centre.
If you've only been looking at centres, it's worth exploring. Some families find a spot through home care far faster than they would have through a centre waitlist.
7. The system is changing — take advantage
The Ontario childcare landscape is shifting faster than it has in decades. The $10/day program has brought fees down dramatically at enrolled centres. New spots are being created. And new tools — like TinyMatch — are making it easier to find available spots without the waitlist runaround.
The old way of doing this — apply everywhere, wait months, make dozens of phone calls — doesn't have to be the only way anymore.
I built TinyMatch because I went through all of this myself and thought: there has to be a better way. If you're a Durham Region parent searching for childcare, sign up free at tinymatch.ca. It takes two minutes and might save you months.