Yes, we did consider a live-in nanny. :) We decided the cost would be too high unless we had at least two. Ideally, my mother would be the live-in nanny if she didn't have mobility issues.
I understand the government had to do something about the people that were taking in 27 children with one caregiver, but wish they made some exceptions. At her old (provincially registered) daycare, the place was just so dirty. LO's shoes had an oily black residue on them from a few seconds of her rubbing her feet on the floor. Food stains were left on the floor for a week (Friday to at least the following Thursday) and I saw ants crawling on the floor as well. This is in the infant room with babies who can't walk and stick everything in their mouths. :( Somehow, this place regularly passed inspection with grades in the high 90s.
This new one is a private school and for less than $2/day more, I was confident LO wasn't sitting in filth with bugs crawling all over. Oh, I had so many complaints with her old place, I didn't know where to begin... I wished I had moved her within the first month (as per the agreements of our contract) or the second month (because I wanted to be absolutely sure the second place was decent). When I inquired in the third month, this daycare was full until January. I feel guilty for not moving her sooner, but I wanted time to have a few visits to the new daycare and speak to more of the care providers.
Now we're on a $52 waiting list for one, but I'm wondering if I should put her on the $75 list for another in case this one has no room come this summer. Why is it legal to charge to put your name on a waiting list?!?