Starting Your Childcare Search Early: A Guide for Expecting Moms in London, Ontario
Pregnancy is a beautiful whirlwind of excitement, anticipation, and a whole lot of uncertainty. Between preparing for your baby’s arrival, dealing with cravings and sleepless nights, and getting your home ready, childcare may feel like something you can think about later.
But here’s the truth: it’s never too early to start planning for your child’s future—especially when it comes to finding the right daycare near me in London, Ontario.
Why It’s Important to Plan Ahead
Whether you’re in your first trimester or just a few weeks from your due date, one fact remains: your baby will grow faster than you expect. Those first months may be a blur of feedings, diaper changes, and cuddles—but before long, you’ll be preparing to return to work or looking for ways to support your child’s social and developmental growth.
In London, Ontario, daycare near me searches often lead to long waitlists. Licensed centres are in high demand, with some families waiting up to 2.5 years for their preferred spot. By starting your search early, you give yourself the best chance to secure a space that truly meets your family’s needs.
Step One: Understanding Your Childcare Options
Every family’s needs are unique, and the “right” childcare choice depends on your schedule, budget, values, and your child’s personality. Here’s a closer look at the main options available when searching for daycare near me in London:
1. At-Home Care (With Family or a Nanny)
Some parents choose to keep their child at home, either with a trusted family member or by hiring a nanny. This can provide a sense of comfort and stability, especially during the early years.
Pros:
Your child stays in a familiar environment, which can make transitions easier in the early months.
One-on-one attention ensures care is fully personalized to your child’s needs.
Flexible scheduling to match your family’s routine.
Cons:
Limited opportunities for social interaction with other children.
Possible strain on family relationships if a relative is the caregiver.
Fewer structured learning activities compared to a formal program.
2. Home Daycares (Licensed Family Care)
These are small, licensed programs run from a caregiver’s home, usually with six or fewer children. They’re monitored by a Ministry of Education to ensure safety and quality. They can have a maximum of six children, which is a higher child-to-adult ratio than in many daycare centre settings.
Pros:
Small group sizes allow for more personalized attention.
Warm, home-like atmosphere that can be comforting for young children.
Often more affordable than larger centres.
Cons:
While licensed, they may have less daily oversight than larger centres.
Quality can vary depending on the caregiver’s training and experience.
Make sure the home daycare is licensed — this will give you comfort that they are aware of safety rules and that someone is regularly checking on them.
There is typically no additional staff to provide coverage during the caregiver’s breaks.
Tip: Ask questions about the caregiver’s daily routine, how they handle breaks, their training, and what safety procedures they follow.
3. Play-Based Daycares
These licensed centres focus on learning through play, encouraging exploration, creativity, and social development. Many operate in larger facilities with structured daily routines.
Pros:
Heavily regulated by the Ministry of Education.
Learning is delivered through play-based activities.
Cons:
Often functions more like babysitting, with limited structured learning outcomes.
Larger group sizes may mean less individual attention.
Often follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach with less individualization for each child.
Long waitlists are common.
Tip: Ask about how they tailor activities to each child’s needs, how progress is monitored, and what a typical day looks like.
4. Montessori Schools
Montessori programs are designed to foster independence, critical thinking, and a love of learning through hands-on, self-directed activities. Many schools accept children starting at 18 months.
Pros:
Child-centred learning environment that supports both independence and collaboration.
Mixed-age classrooms encourage peer learning and mentoring.
Curriculum focuses on the “whole child”—academic, social, emotional, and practical life skills.
Cons:
Many Montessori schools follow a calendar similar to public schools, with winter, spring, and summer breaks. For parents of toddlers, this can be inconvenient because summer camps for under-4s are rare—meaning you may need to arrange your own vacation or alternative care.
Core hours often end around 3:30 pm, with extra charges for after-school care.
Meals are frequently charged separately, and in many schools, they are mandatory.
5. Orange Seeds Montessori London (Hybrid Montessori + Licensed Childcare)
If you’re searching for daycare near me in London and want the best of both worlds, Orange Seeds Montessori London offers a unique hybrid approach. We are a fully licensed childcare centre that follows authentic Montessori principles—providing the structure and standards of a licensed program, with the independence and hands-on learning of Montessori.
Unlike many traditional Montessori schools that follow the public school calendar, we are open year-round to meet the needs of working families. We operate Monday to Friday, from 7:30am to 5:30pm, with nutritious meals and snacks included.
Pros:
Licensed childcare program that meets all provincial standards while offering Montessori learning.
Open all year, eliminating the gap of long winter, spring, and summer breaks.
Full-time and part-time enrolment options available to suit different family schedules.
Extended hours to accommodate full-time working parents.
Montessori-trained educators in a safe, nurturing environment.
Meals and snacks provided, making mornings easier for families.
Cons:
As with all high-quality licensed childcare in London, spaces are limited and waitlists can be long—so early registration is essential.
Step Two: Understanding the Waitlist Situation
If you take only one thing from this guide, let it be this: the earlier you join waitlists, the better. In London, it’s common for parents to register for childcare spots while they’re still pregnant.
You can start by using the OneHSN Central Waitlist, which lets you apply to multiple licensed daycares in one place. But don’t stop there—contact centres directly, schedule tours, and get to know their environments. Proactive parents have more options when the time comes.
Step Three: What to Look for in a Daycare Near Me
When you’re touring potential childcare spaces, pay attention to:
Safety: Is the environment clean, childproofed, and secure?
Staff Expertise: Are the educators trained and experienced in early childhood development?
Learning Approach: Does the program align with your values and your child’s needs
Social Opportunities: How does the centre encourage positive peer interaction?
Communication: Will you receive regular updates about your child’s day and progress?
Trust your instincts—this is where your child will be spending much of their early years.
Why Orange Seeds Montessori Is a Top Choice
At Orange Seeds Montessori London, we understand how important this decision is for your family. Our new London campus, opening in Summer 2025 at 1697 Trafalgar Street, is built around authentic Montessori principles that:
Support self-paced learning and independence.
Nurture curiosity and creativity.
Foster social, emotional, and academic growth.
When parents search daycare near me in London, we want them to find a space that feels like a second home—where children are encouraged to thrive in a safe, loving environment.
Final Word: Starting your childcare search early is one of the most valuable steps you can take as an expecting mom. The earlier you plan, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel when it’s time to transition your little one into care.
1697 Trafalgar Street, London, ON (Opening Summer 2025)
