Finding a daycare spot: September or January start date? [BC]

I'm a FTM due in September 2025. I live in the Lower Mainland, BC. I know daycare is extremely competitive here and it's hard to get a spot.

I'm debating whether in putting my name on waitlists if I should be looking for daycare for age 12 months (starting September 2026) or closer to 18 months (January/February 2027).

Ideally I would like to take a 16-18 month leave from work (doing the 12 month EI option but taking additional 6 months leave from work which is common with my employer). However I'm worried about finding childcare. I've heard September is the best time to find a childcare spot. I know there tends to be a lot of movement in September as kids age up into kindergarten and more spots free up.

(It's also hard to know how parental leave will go! We can swing 18 months financially but what if I'm itching to return to work after 12 months? Or what if we get a daycare spot at 12 months but it feels too soon?)

Anyone have experience or advice with choosing childcare for September vs January? Is September really a much easier time for get a spot?