When I worked outside the home and had my child in daycare -- I preferred to have the daycare closer to home. I didn't want the daycare right in the same neighbourhood but I did not want to go on the 401 with my little one every single day just in case it was bad weather or something did happen. I just felt better knowing that my child did not have to commute with me for safety sake.

Most of my daycares were a bit of a detour from my route to work or in the opposite direction of work but it was a 10 minute delay I felt was worth it just so I didn't take my child(ren) on the road with me.

It did mean longer days for my kids in daycare - closer to 10 hours because I was commuting 30-45 min a day but the risk factor was just not one I wanted to take.

As a provider - I only have 1 out of my current families who lives in my subdivision and within walking distance. Everyone else is driven here. Well....so is the child from within walking distance. The parents drive the child 99% of the time rather than walking. Not sure why