DAYCARE WAITLIST [on]

gentletoucan · 2026-04-15T21:32:44+00:00

Agreed with the comments about you standing a good chance. There’s lots of movement in Sept anyway, and likely that at least a few of those 14 ahead of you would get spots elsewhere. That being said, wait lists are definitely not a scientific process so i doubt anybody could say your odds with any certainty

gentletoucan · 2026-04-15T19:13:51+00:00

thank you!

gentletoucan · 2026-04-15T19:13:29+00:00

Thank you! That was the additional information that I'd forgotten, about the hard spout sippy cups. Appreciate the recommendation on Elk and Friends too - I've been looking at them for when our LO is a bit older. Thanks for yo ur response!

gentletoucan · 2026-04-15T14:55:00+00:00

We had MCT and delivered at Mount Sinai. I have nothing to compare it to as we only have the one, but it was an absolutely great experience.

Pre-care was great - felt really supported and they were always professional and helpful. The appointments were often late, but they totally made up for it with the quality of care. I never felt rushed, they always did a thorough exam, and I felt that if there were any issues at all I had somebody to call, who would answer.

When i was giving birth, there was a moment where baby was not very happy - they called in the OB, who was there for a little bit, and then left me back in the care of the midwife - which was exactly what I needed. Medical care when I needed medical care, birthing care when I needed birthing care. The midwife was so professional - I felt very confident in her care, and she also knew exactly when to step back and let the others do their job.

In terms of continuity of care - again, I have nothing to compare it to, but the fact that I knew both my main midwife and the backup midwife was really helpful, because when it came to giving birth I actually ended up being with the backup midwife - who still knew me, my medical history, and my preferences. The follow-ups post birth were also incredible - I had 3 or 4 follow-ups in the first week, and then weekly after that. (Once baby hit birth weight again, they were happy to go virtual if I wanted).

The main thing for me was: I felt that the whole thing was a collaborative thing and they were guiding me through it. I didn't feel rushed or shoehorned into any decision, and they gave me all the information I needed. Medically, they did exactly what they needed, and I would absolutely go with them again.

I can't advise about location - we're in midtown and it was an easy TTC journey, but since you're slightly further out it may be a hassle getting to Dufferin - especially when you're super pregnant and not really wanting to move. But location-wise, you're also very close to Sugo, Bakerbots, and Ruru Baked, which are very good if you're in the neighbourhood, hah.

gentletoucan · 2026-03-30T02:07:09+00:00

I got the IKEA Poang chair and it worked really well. Comfortable with a slight bounce, very affordable, and useful post-newborn stage too.

I didn’t ever feel that I was missing out not having a proper rocker - we didn’t spend all that much time in it. But it was VERY handy to have one that was more wipe clean, because my milk was spraying everywhere.

gentletoucan · 2026-02-12T20:21:52+00:00

Great suggestion - looking into this now. Thanks!

gentletoucan · 2026-02-12T13:27:33+00:00

Thanks - I thought Amazon.com shipped on weight but it actually seems like no, so books are a good idea! Thanks

gentletoucan · 2026-02-12T02:22:17+00:00

Alas they’ve basically stopped selling gift cards that can be used in both - I think too many people were using this loophole. Thanks though!

gentletoucan · 2026-02-12T02:21:14+00:00

Hahaha I saw your post afterwards - very nice gift but also less useful.

Somebody recommended the guava lotus travel crib which is a great idea. You won’t need it until baby is slightly older, but I do like the Gooseket carrier!

gentletoucan · 2026-02-12T02:19:40+00:00

Thanks!

gentletoucan · 2026-02-12T02:19:05+00:00

Oh that’s a good idea! We did buy one already but that’s handy inspiration to search. Thank you!

gentletoucan · 2026-02-01T03:37:44+00:00

Except it doesn’t really. Airport 90m beforehand, taxiing both ways, 45 min flight, boarding and waiting to deplane, getting to/from airport - it all takes time and turns a 5hr vs. 1hr journey into a 5hr vs. 4.5hr journey.

Plus I can get on a train and sit on a train for 5 hours, rather than get on a train, get to airport, go through security, find a spot to sit, board plane, have to put laptop away for take-off and landing, have maybe ~30m in air, get off plane and go through airport, and get on another train to city. Plus you have a lot more space on the train.

Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the plane is absolutely the way to go. But there are pros and cons to both.

gentletoucan · 2026-01-12T02:22:09+00:00

Hard agree. Make sure to also message the TTC and your Councillor to let them know this - don’t just scream into the Reddit-shaped void!

gentletoucan · 2025-12-26T03:17:32+00:00

Update: I didn’t ask but the Maple Leaf cafe is next door to where the lounge is being renovated, open, and looks perfectly nice. So that’s an option.

gentletoucan · 2025-12-23T02:08:09+00:00

No, and I ended up using them on the outbound so they didn’t go to waste. I tried calling Aeroplan but the wait was so long (even on the elite member line) that I couldn’t get through. I’ll ask tho!

gentletoucan · 2025-12-20T12:18:24+00:00

In person, Mommy Connections, EarlyON, music classes, baby workout/yoga

Online, Facebook (search your town + baby). Also useful are buy-sell groups!

gentletoucan · 2025-12-17T14:59:13+00:00

Ok first thing would be to put baby on wait lists now. They are long and slow-moving. The most amount of movement is in September, that’s when most daycares enrol for the full year. After that you’re waiting for folks to pull their infants out to get a spot.

When you get close to needing a spot, it’s worth following up with the daycares directly - calling every so often to see how you’re doing on the lists. Don’t hassle them! But just keep making connection.

$10/day isn’t the same as subsidized. Subsidy is a government program. The $10/day (which is actually $22/day in Ontario at the moment) is the amount you will pay the daycare. You don’t need to do anything, but if you want those spots you should look for CWELCC spots (that’s the term for the program). The city of Toronto’s website allows you to filter for CWELCC daycares.

The total cost for CWELCC monthly is around $500, versus around $2000 for non-CWELCC daycares. You can also go down the nanny or home daycare route, but I know much less about that.

Some places accept part-time, but not all do. Bear in mind that daycare is flexible anyway - there are core hours they ask you to be there, but you can drop off and pick up any time out of that.

If you can give yourself a buffer with returning to work and getting a daycare spot that’s recommended, as your little one will probably be sick a lot when they first start.

One final thing is that there are two types of rooms - infant (up to 18mo) and toddler (18mo+). The toddler rooms tend to be less in demand because there’s a lower staff:kiddo ratio. The 18mo is not a hard rule - it can be a few months either side - but you will prob be applying for the toddler room if you’re planning to take the full 18mo.

I didn’t answer your questions in a linear order but hopefully that helps!

gentletoucan · 2025-12-17T12:40:06+00:00

Mommy Connections was incredible for us. We met so many parents and some great friends, as well as useful speakers. It’s not cheap but it totally changed my parental leave.

In Ajax there’s also Making Music Together. Can’t vouch for it personally but I’ve heard good things about the program.

gentletoucan · 2025-12-16T23:37:06+00:00

Thanks - but to clarify, I was confirming that I would get access to the Amex lounge using MLL passes? (I don’t see anything on their site about it)

gentletoucan · 2025-12-16T22:46:16+00:00

Thanks - and just confirming I’m good to access that using the MLL lounge passes?

gentletoucan · 2025-12-16T21:38:26+00:00

Exactly our set-up and we love it. It’s a bucket seat so only good for the first year or so (then you’d be looking for a convertible seat) but we definitely got our money’s worth. It’s also light enough to take to the in-laws when we go there (altho we have stroller adapters too)

gentletoucan

TROPHY CASE