M2F Mama this is the leanest year I have ever seen and I have been doing this a whole whack of years. I am in Orleans and it seems everytime I check on kijiji, usedottawa or daycarebear there is at least one more new daycare added. I also notice most ads are saying 2-3 spaces open rather than one space coming available as in there has just been an exodus of kids to somewhere. Parents laid off work, government restructuring, plus new full day kindergarten programs are not working in our favour at all.

Are you a member of CCPRN? Check out their childcare connection meetings for your area. At least it will give you a chance to meet some other caregivers in the same situation that you can network with.