Become an Approved Family Day Home Educator

Become a Wise Kids House Team

The Struggles Day Homes Face

Filling Your Day Home

Attracting families can be a struggle. You pour your heart and soul into your day home, but it's not always easy to reach parents in need of your services.

The Administrative Hurdle

Dealing with paperwork and administration can take time away from what you love – providing a warm and enriching environment for children.

Support and Resources

Day home providers need a supportive community and access to resources that can enhance the quality of care they provide.

Why Should Educators Join Wise Kids House Agency?

Educators who join Wise Kids House ("WKH") can experience a wide range of benefits, which can contribute to your personal and professional growth.

Here are some potential advantages for Educators who become a WKH Team:

Work-Life Balance

WHK Agency can help educators maintain a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries for working hours and providing support systems to prevent burnout.

Networking Opportunities

Educators can connect with other professionals within WHK Agency, creating a supportive network. Sharing experiences and ideas with peers can enhance their teaching methods. We are connected, not alone.

Administrative Support

Handling administrative tasks such as enrollment, billing, and record-keeping can be overwhelming for individual educators. Wise Kids House Agency can provide support in these areas, allowing educators to focus on teaching.

Resource Sharing

WKH Agency can provide access to a wealth of teaching resources, including curriculum materials, lesson plans, and educational games. This can save educators time and effort in creating their teaching materials.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Staying compliant with Alberta Child Care regulations and licensing requirements is crucial in the field of childcare and education. WKH Agency can help educators navigate these regulations, ensuring they operate legally and safely.

Parental Support

Educators can benefit from the support of parents who are a part of WHK Agency. Clear communication channels can be established, fostering a collaborative relationship between educators and parents for the benefit of the children.

Professional Development

WKH Agency can offer various training programs and workshops to enhance educators' skills. This continuous learning can improve educators teaching techniques and keep you updated with the latest educational trends.

Recognition and Appreciation

Recognizing educators' hard work and dedication through awards, certificates, or other forms of appreciation can boost their morale and motivation, encouraging them to excel in their roles.

Career Advancement:

WKH Agency can provide opportunities for career advancement, such as taking on leadership roles within the agency or becoming mentors to newer educators, allowing them to grow professionally.

With these benefits, you are more likely to feel valued, supported, and motivated, creating a positive and enriching environment for both you and the children you care for. We are here for the children, their families and you. We are Unique and Special!

How To Apply

Here is a guide to the application process:

Submit your application:

ACCESS THE APPLICATION FORM HERE

If you have trouble with the form, email us at wisekids.universe@gmail.com.

And complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Records:

GO TO THE POLICE CHECK ONLINE APPLICATION PAGE HERE

If you have trouble with the link, visit https://www.calgary.ca/cps/public-services/police-information-checks.html.

- Don't have a certificate? Take this government-funded Child Care Orientation Course HERE

Arrange a Meet and Greet

We will contact you to get to know you better once we finish reviewing your application form. Have your questions ready!

Please note that our staff must meet everyone in the home i.e. tenants, spouses, children, etc. at least once before you sign your contract with us.

Schedule a Safety Assessment

Schedule a safety assessment of your home conducted by one of our expert consultants to guarantee that your surroundings are configured for optimal safety and success.

Finish Paperwork and Sign Contract

The following is what you need to complete before signing the contract:

- A local police clearance from every resident over 18 years of age

- 3 references - we will supply you the form

- A sample activity plan

- A sample meal plan

- A toy inventory list

- Interview Questionnaire

Being a day home provider with WKH means that you have a network of professionals to support you in delivering the best Day Home experience possible for your clients.

Apply to become a Wise Kids House Team!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have a certain level of education to start a day home?

There is no education required to start your day home. You are required to get your Early Childhood Education (ECE) Level 1 within 6 months of signing your contract, but this is 100% free. Once you get your ECE Level 1 (and beyond), you’ll be eligible to receive government wage top-ups.

How can I get my Level 1 in Early Childhood Education?

You can complete the course required to get your ECE Level 1 for free HERE. You do not need to be contracted with an agency to get started. This must be completed within your first 6 months of being open. For more information on ECE certifications, visit the Government of Alberta website.

Do I need to own my home?

No, you do not need to own your home to run a day home. If you are renting, you will need a letter from your landlord giving you permission to run a day home.

How long does it take to start a day home / partner with your agency?

This varies depending on how quickly you work through some of the home safety items (and how many home safety items you require such as outlet plugs, gates on stairs, etc. On average, the approval process takes 2-3 months. Often, waiting for police clearance (with vulnerable sector search) for every resident over 18 years of age is what takes the longest to complete.

How much should I charge for childcare?

We can help you with fee suggestions based on what others in your area are charging, but you can charge whatever you see fit.

How do I take payment?

You don’t have to take payment. We collect all parent fees on your behalf. Parents sign a contract and fee agreement with our agency (based on the fee you decide to charge).

How do I enroll new children in my day home?

All children must be enrolled via our agency. Once you have spoken with them about payment and start dates, the family must contact us (either by submitting a Parent Application Form or by phone) to complete the registration process.

How does WKU help me fill spaces?

We display your day home on the day home locations section on our page so parents can contact you to arrange an interview and see if you’re a good fit. We field phone calls from families looking for child care in the Calgary area and may recommend your day home, based on the family’s criteria.

We also advertise on social media, Google, and others when applicable. You can also do your own advertising as needed.

How will I get paid each month?

You submit an invoice to us near the end of each month and it will be provided to you upon signing up. Funds are automatically deposited each month directly into your bank account on the last day of the month. (An auto deposit form or void cheque will be required when you sign up).

How many children can I enroll in my day home / how many spaces can I offer?

According to government standards, you can have up to 6 children (in addition to your own children) in your day home.

- A maximum of two children under the age of 2 and three children under the age of 3.

- If you have a smaller space, you may need to reduce this number.

Do my own children count towards the limit?

Your own children do not count towards your limit of 6 children. However, they DO count towards age ratios (max 3 children under the age of 3).

Subsidy and Grants Information

Do licensed day homes (like Wise Kids House Teams) receive grants? If so, how much?

Yes. Affordability grants are allocated directly to childcare providers, enabling them to reduce fees for all families enrolled in their program. The amount of funding for each child is determined by their age group and the type of care they receive, resulting in average reductions ranging from $150 to $487.50. Parents do not have to go through an application process to take advantage of these lowered fees.

Learn more: https://www.alberta.ca/federal-provincial-child-care-agreement.aspx

Funding Information

Wage Top-up Funding

This funding provides licensed child care(Daycare / Family Day Home) programs with a wage top-up for certified early childhood educators over and above the base wage paid by the employer.

Level 1 Early Childhood Educator: $2.64/hour

Level 2 Early Childhood Educator: $5.05/hour

Level 3 Early Childhood Educator: $8.62/hour

Professional Development Funding

This funding is provided to licensed child care(Daycare/ Family Day Home) programs to assist with the costs of approved post-secondary tuition and textbooks, as well as approved conferences or workshops for their eligible educators certified as Level 1, 2, or 3 early childhood educators.

Learn more:

https://open.alberta.ca/publications/alberta-child-care-grant-funding-guide