7 helpful child-care sites and apps

1. DaycareBear.ca Search anywhere in Canada by postal code. You can filter by available daycare spots, generating a map of openings right now, or in the month you need. (In Quebec, the site is magarderie.com.)

2. WeeWatch.com This Ontario-only organization hooks you up with pre-vetted home daycares that are members of the Wee Watch network. The matchmaking is mostly conducted over the phone, and Wee Watch processes all fees and deposits.

3. NanniesOnCall.com Pay-as-you-go, pre-screened nannies available 24/7; you can also buy larger “batches” of multiple babysitting dates at a time. Available in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria.

4. Date Night This app is Ottawa- and Toronto-only for now. It allows you to build relationships with favourite sitters and sends a notification if one of your go-to caregivers happens to be available, prompting a last-minute date night. Free, itunes.ca

5. CubbySpot A new app founded by two Canadian parents lets you search 11,000 home- and centre-based daycares across the country, from Victoria to Halifax. You can set up a profile for your kid and star your “favourite” daycares; some of the providers allow you to join the waiting list or register applications from within CubbySpot. Free, itunes.ca

6. InaPinch.ca Pre-screened backup child care and babysitting (Toronto only) from $18 per hour with a four-hour minimum. It’s affiliated with Wee Care Placement Agency, a nanny placement service.

7. BookJane This app is GTA-only for now. Parents can book qualified, fully vetted "Janes" on-demand using filters such as years of experience, credentials, reviews or language. The built-in chat feature also allows users to chat with potential caregivers and the location tracker lets you keep an eye on your caregiver while they're on the job. Free, itunes.ca

A version of this article appeared in our Summer 2016 issue with the headline, "Sites and apps," p. 68

Read more: 15 must-have apps for new moms Babysitting 101: Finding and keeping a super-sitter 5 daycare problems solved