[twitter]So desperate are people when they look for a nanny in Calgary, there are anecdotes of moms trying to steal nannies they see at the playground or in the halls at school.

Seriously. They walk right up and offer more money than they’re currently getting paid. The search for reliable childcare is a bloodsport in Calgary.

Traditional daycare facilities have long waiting lists and the corporate culture in Calgary often has these facilities on retainer. So they were out.

Dayhomes are popular options in Calgary. These are mostly stay-at-home moms with unlicensed facilities (licenses are not a provincial requirement). They’re at home with their kids and just hang a shingle to pick up some extra cash looking after other kids in the basement.

It’s a stark contrast from the childcare experience in Vancouver where our son was at a rec centre with Early Childhood Education certified instructors. After visits to a number of dayhomes in our areas (and tragic stories in the news) we scratched that option.

So, it comes down to trying to find a nanny in Calgary.

Here’s a list of agencies that can help you find a nanny in Calgary:

CALGARY NANNY CONNECTION INC.
Phone: 403-452-5710
Email: mgole@nannyconnection.ca
Providing a wide range of services; placing caregivers, processing paperwork, payroll services, educational classes.

CANADIANNANNY.CA
Phone: 1-866-221-7918
Email: info@canadiannanny.ca
CanadianNanny.ca provides an online connection for families in the Calgary area to find all in-home care needs: nannies, baby-sitters, adult caregivers, housekeepers and pet sitters.

CANADIANSITTER.CA
Phone: 1-866-221-7918
Email: info@canadiansitter.ca
Baby-sitters! Canadiansitter.ca provides an online connection for parents to find university-level baby-sitters close to home.

SEE ALSO: HOW MUCH DOES HAVING A LIVE-IN NANNY COST?

DAYHOMESINCALGARY.COM
Email: info@dayhomesincalgary.com
Dayhomesincalgary.com is a comprehensive web service that lists dayhomes, daycares, preschools and nannies in the Calgary Area.

PHILCAN PERSONNEL INC.
Phone: 403-272-8849
Email: nyc@philcanpersonnel.com
PhilCan Personnel Inc. provides nannies and caregivers on a live in or live out position, on permanent or temporary basis in Calgary and its outskirt city.

INSPIRED NANNIES
Phone: (403) 351-1259
Email: info@inspirednannies.com
Canadian Nanny Agency referring Nannies, Housekeepers, Babysitters and Caregivers

SEE ALSO: SEARCHING FOR MARRY POPPINS – WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR LIVE-IN NANNY

PREFERRED NANNIES
Phone: 403-457-2567
Email: joy@preferrednannies.com
With confidence, we guarantee all placements for one full year.

There’s also Kijiji. The online want ads has a long list of nannies looking for work in Calgary and an even longer list of families looking for help.

If none of those work, just bring your chequebook the next time you take your kids to the playground.