I think if you're willing to re-think your preferred age group, you should find it fairly straightforward to find a couple of children. I'm not sure where you're located, but check out the rates for care in your neighborhood (just to make sure that you're competitive) and certainly make sure that you have all your "nuts and bolts" stuff lined up. (adequate home insurance, First Aid training, make sure that your plans for running a daycare don't result in your mat leave benefits being reduced to nothing) As the ladies above have mentioned, when a child is 3 years of age they are usually established in a daycare. And not to sound overly harsh, but if they are looking for a new provider, you need to ask some questions about why they are looking - just to make sure that the child (or the family) isn't one that you don't want to take on. (i.e. cheque bouncers, habitually late picking up their child, does the child play well with others or are there some behaviours that you may not want to bring into your home) There are absolutely good reasons that a child of 3 could be looking for a caregiver (recent move, was at home with Mom on mat leave for sibling #2 etc.) but just be careful taking on older kids. I always find it's easier to start with a one year old, and then they get used to my routines here - no bad habits to break. =)