The approved family child care program offers parents a formal child care service
in a family setting where care meets specific standards for caregiver - to - child
ratios, health, safety and child development.
There are approximately 450 approved family child care homes in the Calgary and Area region. Homes
are recruited, approved and contracted by family child care agencies under agreement
with Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority. The agencies monitor
and support the care provided in the home, and help parents find suitable placements. Agencies are
also responsible for investigating complaints and critical incidents.
Calgary and Area Child and Family Services monitors agency performance and annually
contracts with agencies meeting standards for operation.
Anyone is welcome to contact Child and Family Services for more information about
regulated child care options including approved family child care and assistance for parents with selecting
care. For offices and phone numbers look under Contact Information below.
Eligibility
The approved family child care program is in principle open to all individuals interested in
providing care out of their own home and parents interested in using family based child care. Provider
applicants are carefully screened before being approved according to established
criteria for family based child care.
Only parents using approved family child care homes may access assistance with their
child care fees through the Child Care Subsidy Program.
Getting Started
Prospective providers and parents should contact family child care agencies to apply for
the service. See the Contact Information listed below for names and phone numbers of available agencies in the region.
Next Steps
- Call or visit the family child care agencies to discuss your child care needs
and to find out what child placement referrals are available.
- Read our booklet, Choosing a Family Day Home, a Guide for Parents. It
provides a checklist for assessing Family Day Homes.
- Visit the day homes that seem most suitable for your child care needs.
- Once you have chosen a day home, contact the agency and complete the registration.
The agency is available to answer any questions you may have about your child
care arrangement.
Contact Information
Regional Office
Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority
Child Care Services Office
#300 - 1240 Kensington Road NW
Calgary, AB T2N 3P7
Phone (403) 297-6100
Fax (403) 297-7228
Community-Based Office
with Child Care Licensing Services
Richmond Multi-Service Team
#80 3915 - 51 Street SW
Calgary, AB T3E 6N1
Phone (403) 297-8033
Fax (403) 297-7573
Agency names and contact information can be found by:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I report a complaint about my child's
approved family child care home?
A: You should first discuss your concerns with
the agency responsible for monitoring your child's family child care home. If you are not satisfied with the response, call Child Care Services at (403) 297-6100
and ask to speak with the family child care Specialist. All complaints are investigated.
Q: Do I need a license to look after children
in my own home?
A: In Alberta, home-based child care has not been
licensed since 1994. You have the choice to work under contract with
a family child care agency as an approved provider or work independently
and operate as a private babysitting facility.
Q: How do agencies select family child care
providers?
A: Providers are carefully
screened prior to their approval. They are chosen for their caring attitude
and genuine interest in children and their committment to meet high standards for child
care. The agency will consider energy, skills and experience of the provider
and the suitability of the residence when negotiating the right number of children
in each care situation.
Q: What is the maximum number of children
allowed in an approved family child care home?
A: Homes are allowed to
care for up to six children. Of these six children, not more than three can
be under three years of age. Of these three children, not more than two can
be under two years of age. These numbers include the provider's own children,
if any.
Q: What is the difference between an approved
family child care and private babysitting?
A: As mentioned earlier, the care in approved homes
must meet established child care standards. The homes are monitored by a family
child care agency. The responsibility for ensuring that the child receives good care lies
with the parent and the agency. Agencies must investigate complaints from parents. Private
babysitters must meet provincial legislation with respect to the number of children allowed in care
at any one time (see question below), but all other aspects of care are monitored by the parent
alone.
Q: Are there any standards set for private
babysitting?
A: Yes. The Social Care Facilities Licensing Act in the
Province of Alberta states that the operator of a private babysitting facility is allowed to care for
a maximum of 6 children under 12 years of age. No more than 3 children can be under 2 years of age.
These numbers include the operator's own children, if any. This means that no more than 6 children
can be in care during the hours of operation of the private babysitting facility. Even when another
adult caregiver or adult family member is present in the home to assist with the care of the children, the
maximum number remains 6. Where 7 or more children are in care, a license is required to operate as a
daycare care centre, drop-in centre or nursery school.
Q: Where can I place a complaint about my
private babysitter?
A: To report a complaint that more
than the maximum number of children are being cared for in a private residence,
contact Calgary and Area Child and Family Services Authority at (403) 297-6100 and ask to speak to the
family child care specialist.
A parent who suspects that his/her child is being abused in a private babysitting
facility should report the matter immediately to Child Intervention Services at (403) 297-2995
and to the police at (403) 266-1234.
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