How do I open a Licensed Family Day Home?
Step 1. Review the standards manual
Familiarize yourself with the expectations of a licensed family day home. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/family-day-home-standards-manual-for-alberta
Step 2. Contact a licensed family day home agency
Licensed family day home agencies hold contracts with a Children’s Services office to administer the family day home service in their local area. A licensed family day home agency will take you through the screening process to become a family day home educator. To find a licensed family day home agency in your area: https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/cs-licensed-family-day-home-agencies.pdf
Step 3. Gather supporting documents
You will need to provide the following documents as part of your application:
- current first aid certification
- proof you are at least 18 years of age
- completed criminal record check, including vulnerable sector search, for yourself and for anyone who is over 18 years of age, who lives in the home, or who may be in your home on a regular basis during regular operating hours
- a statement disclosing any prior criminal involvement of any person younger than 18 years who resides in your home
- 3 satisfactory personal references from non-relatives that corroborate your suitability for working with children
- physician’s note that states you are mentally and physically able to care for children
Step 4. Participate in the screening process
Recruitment and screening must include a minimum of two home visits and receipt by the agency of all background check documentation before children are cared for in the home. The two initial home visits must include everyone living in the residence
What are the benefits for educators to open a licensed family day home?
- Administration:
Agencies provide assistance with registration paperwork, fee collection, safety checks and many other government administrative tasks. This helps family day home educator’s focus on caring for and teaching children. - Business Development:
Educators get support and guidance with developing their own professional home based child care business in a variety of areas such as strategies to adhere to government regulations, program planning approaches and access to additional resources. Educators have the flexibility to set their own hours, choose their own clients, and develop their own curriculum. - Networking & Professionalism:
As a part of an agency Educators also benefit from networking opportunities with other day home educators and early learning professionals. Opportunities such as coaching, mentorship, and professional development are provided through association with an agency. This ensures there is sharing of current research and best practices in the early learning field. - Support:
Being with an agency reduces the isolation of working alone and gives educators a support system to call on.
What are the benefits for parents and children using licensed day homes?
- Licensed Day Home Agencies & Educators offer safe, quality child care based on current early learning and care best practices.
- Licensed Family Day Homes receive, at a minimum, 6 visits annually for safety monitoring and curriculum mentorship. Each day home has a consultant to support them in following the licensing standards.
- Screened and trained Early Learning and Child Care Professionals ensure increased confidence in child care arrangements. Licensed agencies work to keep their educators accountable to the families they serve. Families can request to see their educators profile reports, reviewing the homes compliance history, at any time.
- Families who qualify have access to child care subsidy, the affordability grant, respite, and other supports.
- Parent input and involvement is encouraged and occurs through annual evaluations and discussions with staff and educators.
