It's probably not a shock to anyone reading this that we live in Victoria BC. I can't find a reference for it offhand, but I've heard that there are two children here for every licenced daycare space. Judging by the response I got trying to find one for Tabetha I'd say that's probably about right. It's not exactly cheap either - $600-$800 a month for unlicensed, and up to $1400 a month for licensed.
This is something I had a lot of anxiety about. I'm looking forward to going back to work - I love my job, my boss, my colleagues - but the idea of taking Tabetha somewhere and leaving her there for 8-9 hours a day was really stressful to me.
So, in August I took a deep breath - and a couple more of 'em - and I contacted the Victoria Child Care Referral folks. I figured that Tabby was only 5 months old, I had a full year off, I should have lots of time to find the best care, right?
My rude awakening came when I called one place that sounded really great - and they told me that they'd love to add me to the waitlist - and my name would probably come up sometime in 2012.
Eh?
That was a pretty common refrain. My anxiety about the act of leaving her was quickly replaced with the fear I wouldn't find somewhere to leave her. And if I did, would I be tempted to settle for somewhere less than ideal?
So I waitlisted for every infant care place I could find. And then I waitlisted for some that wouldn't take her until 18 months... and then I waitlisted her for some that wouldn't take her until 3 years. Just in case. And then.... I waited. And worried. And tried not to think about it. And fantasized about winning the lottery so I could hire a nanny.
And then in January I got a new list of places, and ended up having a choice between two. I feel really good about the place we picked. It's a brand-new program, which is why they had space, and there will be daily walks, music, and dance. And it's 500 metres from our house!
I'm staying on those other waitlists though. Just in case.
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