The idea came more than a year ago, when we decided to move.

A new town meant finding new daycare for Lucy: The second search in just over a year. Outdated listings from a local resource centre (no fault of their own…just understaffed to update it!), scrawling names and numbers off tattered, hand-written ads on mailboxes and grocery store bulletin boards.

Ugh.

But from that grunt of displeasure – like all great ideas – sprouted a wistful dream.

And now, this. We’re here. Not just I, because Durham Region Daycare would not be without a husband fed up with bitching (“Do something about it, then!”), a tech-savvy sister (“Do it! I can build it!”), blindly optimistic parents (“You can do it, Honey! But what will it do?”), and the most supportive and honest batch of Mom Friends ever (“That slogan is good, but…”).

I sincerely hope this site makes it easier for everyone: For parents to find the special “faux Mom” (as I’ve dubbed the two wonderful ladies who’ve watched my daughter) or enriching centre to look after their child(ren), and for providers to quickly and proudly advertise their businesses and fill openings.

Today we’ve launched the first half of Durham Region Daycare.

Before we unleash the site – and search function – to parents, we need providers! So, now begins the task of spreading the word to them. You can help by passing our website on to your provider, to other parents and family members. Oh, and signing up for the newsletter here.

Tell them that daycare centres, home care providers and nannies who join this month – before we fully launch – get in for half price. That’s six months, a year or two years of advertising for, well, peanuts.

Their listing goes live when we do: Mon., Sept. 8 (or earlier, if possible…).

Let the countdown begin…