A Mother's Village
The daycare closes, the sitter cancels, or you are unwell. Here is the order to work through.
Work outward from whoever is physically closest. A neighbour or family member first, then your school or daycare — many hold emergency options or can point you to one — then licensed agencies and any backup care your employer offers.
For a same-day need, distance beats everything. The person ten minutes away who says yes is worth more than the perfect option across the city.
Most parents lose time drafting a message that explains and apologises. A useful request is short and specific: what you need, when, and for how long. In Haven that is a category, a time and an urgency level — no speech required.
For any arrangement with someone you do not know well, meet first, share it with another adult, and use a platform where members are verified. Haven requires verified contact information from every member before they are accepted.
Work outward from who is closest: a trusted neighbour or family member, then your child's school or daycare for emergency options, then licensed agencies. For a same-day need, proximity matters more than anything else.
Provisions vary by province and municipality. Some licensed centres hold emergency spaces and some employers offer backup care, but there is no universal national service — which is why most families rely on informal local networks.
By reaching verified people who are physically nearby in one step, rather than messaging contacts one at a time. In Haven you post a request with a category and urgency level, and it goes to your village.
Real screens from Haven, opening in Ontario in fall 2026.
A village is more than mothers — it is everyone nearby with an hour to spare.
Behind the scenes of building Haven — the community, the mothers, and the road to launch in Ontario.
Add your email and we'll write once — the day your village opens. Tell us where you are and it helps us choose the next community.
Thank you — you're on the list. We'll be in touch.
