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children maximum per family day home, excluding the provider's own children
Licensed Alberta family dayhome agency
We Care for Wee People.
Wee Care Family Day Homes connects families with monitored, home-based child care and supports local educators who want to build safe, joyful dayhomes across Fort Saskatchewan, Gibbons, and nearby Strathcona County communities.
Agency promise
Professional oversight with the warmth of a real home.
Licensed network
Small groups
Affordability Grant
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regional communities served through Fort Saskatchewan and Strathcona County
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focused on licensed, monitored, relationship-based home childcare
About our agency
A licensed dayhome network built for safety, trust, and belonging.
Wee Care pairs the comfort of home-based child care with agency guidance, monitoring, and Alberta Affordability Grant alignment so families and educators know what to expect.
Government-aligned standards
Licensed family day homes operate within Alberta standards for screening, records, safety practices, and ongoing agency support.
Safety monitoring
Approved educators receive monitoring, practical guidance, and accountability so families have more confidence in daily care.
Small group care
Children grow in warm home settings with smaller groups, familiar routines, and play-led learning close to their neighbourhood.
Affordability Grant alignment
Licensed agency day homes with an Affordability Grant agreement can offer Alberta’s flat parent fees — $326.25/month full-time or $230/month part-time for eligible children.
Community presence
Licensed family day home agency
Several day homes in Fort Saskatchewan and Gibbons
Local childcare service with a public community presence
Family-friendly updates and early-years community sharing
Start here
What matters most to your family?
Tap the priorities that matter to you. Wee Care will highlight which type of child care is the strongest match before you explore pros, cons, and detailed comparisons below.
Select at least one priority to see your best match.
Interactive comparison
Explore four kinds of child care
Hover or focus a care type to see pros and cons. Click to keep it selected.
Selected — full detail
Licensed agency day home
An educator cares for children in their home as part of a licensed agency day home program — such as through Wee Care. The agency handles monitoring, standards, and support.
Pros
- Agency monitoring visits and documented safety standards
- Smallest typical group size — one educator, up to six approved children
- Warm home environment with professional agency backing
- One consistent educator and predictable daily routine
- Eligible for Alberta Affordability Grant flat fees when the program participates
- Criminal record checks, vulnerable sector screening, and first aid required
- Formal contracts, consent forms, and incident reporting through the agency
- Agency guidance when questions arise about care, fees, or policies
- Mixed-age, neighbourhood-based care without a large-centre feel
Cons
- Hours and days of care follow the educator’s approved schedule, not a wide-window centre model
- If your educator is ill or on leave, backup care may involve another approved provider rather than the same person every day
- Less large-scale equipment and specialized rooms than a purpose-built daycare centre
Side-by-side comparison
| Topic | Licensed agency | Private dayhome | Private daycare | Licensed centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where care happens | Educator’s home Strong fit Children are cared for in a residential setting with home routines, meals, and play areas. | Private residence Moderate Home-based, but without the licensing pathway that triggers inspections and agency oversight. | Home or informal space Limited Often resembles a mini-centre in a house or rental space, but without licensed facility standards. | Commercial centre Strong fit Purpose-built or converted facility with classrooms, shared equipment, and centre-wide policies. |
| Typical group size | Up to 6 children Strong fit Alberta family day home rules cap approved spaces at six, not counting the provider’s own children. | Varies — often small Moderate May feel small, but capacity is not set by a licensed limit. | Varies — can be large Limited Unlicensed operators may care for more children than licensed rules would allow. | Larger multi-room groups Moderate Many children across age rooms with staff teams and higher overall enrolment. |
| Staff-to-child ratios | 1 educator, up to 6 children Strong fit One approved educator cares for a small group (maximum six approved spaces, not counting the provider’s own children). This is much lower than typical daycare room ratios. | Not regulated Not typical No provincial ratio applies. A single caregiver may watch more children than a licensed program would allow. | Not regulated Not typical Informal daycares are not held to Alberta’s licensed ratios. Multiple children may be cared for by too few adults, with no inspector checking daily staffing. | Set by age under Alberta law Strong fit Licensed daycare centres must meet minimum primary staff-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes. Examples for day care (awake times): infants under 12 months — 1 staff : 3 children (max 6 per group); 12–19 months — 1:4 (max 8); 19 months to under 3 years — 1:6 (max 12); 3 to under 4 years — 1:8 (max 16); 4 years and older — 1:10 (max 20). Ratios may be relaxed during rest periods. Out-of-school care for kindergarten and school-age children — 1:15 (max 30 per group). Ask your centre which room and ratio apply to your child. |
| Oversight & monitoring | Licensed agency monitoring Strong fit Wee Care and other licensed agencies conduct visits, documentation reviews, and ongoing compliance support. | No formal monitoring Not typical No licensed agency or provincial inspection program is overseeing the operation. | No formal monitoring Not typical No licensed agency or provincial inspection program is overseeing the operation. | Provincial licensing inspections Strong fit Centres are licensed and inspected under Alberta child care licensing. |
| Screening & training | Checks + first aid required Strong fit Criminal record and vulnerable sector screening, first aid, and safety training are expected before approval. | Not standardized Limited Screening, first aid, and training are not required through a licensing pathway. | Unverified staff Not typical Multiple caregivers may be involved with no guaranteed ECE credentials or screening. | Staff certifications Strong fit Early childhood educator credentials and staff screening are part of centre licensing. |
| Affordability Grant fees | Flat fees when funded Strong fit Licensed agency day homes with an Affordability Grant agreement charge $326.25/month full-time or $230/month part-time. | No grant agreement Not typical Unlicensed programs are outside the Affordability Grant. Families pay whatever fee the operator sets. | No grant agreement Not typical Unlicensed programs are outside the Affordability Grant. Families pay whatever fee the operator sets. | Flat fees when funded Strong fit Licensed centres with an Affordability Grant agreement use the same flat parent fee structure for eligible children. |
| Relationship & routine | One consistent educator Strong fit Children often build a close bond with a single provider in a predictable home routine. | Can be very personal Moderate May offer strong relationships, but with fewer formal safeguards if concerns arise. | Multiple children, one operator Limited Less personal than a small day home; operator may rotate helpers without clear policies. | Multiple staff handoffs Moderate Children interact with several educators across shifts, rooms, and centre routines. |
| Schedule flexibility | Negotiated with educator Moderate Hours depend on the educator’s approved schedule and agency policies — often school-day style. | Highly informal Moderate Schedules may be flexible, but with less written policy if expectations change. | Operator decides Moderate May advertise long hours, but without licensed oversight if schedules change. | Set centre hours Limited Centres typically publish fixed hours, closures, and room assignments. |
| Records & policies | Agency-backed paperwork Strong fit Contracts, consent forms, incident reporting, and policy guidance are coordinated through the agency. | Minimal formal records Not typical Often informal verbal agreements rather than standardized enrollment and consent packages. | Minimal formal records Not typical Often informal verbal agreements rather than standardized enrollment and consent packages. | Centre policies Strong fit Handbooks, enrollment contracts, and health policies are managed by the centre administration. |
Scroll sideways on smaller screens to compare all four care types. The highlighted column matches your selected care type above.
Further reading
Trusted sources on licensed agency day homes
These Alberta and provincial resources explain why agency-monitored family day homes differ from private unlicensed care and licensed daycare centres. Wee Care aligns with the licensed agency model described below.
- Licensed family day home agencies↗
Government of Alberta
Explains how licensed agencies recruit, train, and support educators in their homes, and monitor each program for health, safety, and quality standards.
Why it matters: This is the core provincial description of what an agency like Wee Care does — and how that differs from unlicensed private care with no monitoring body.
- Understand Alberta’s childcare system — For parents and families↗
Government of Alberta
Compares licensed and unlicensed childcare, describes family day homes under agency contracts, facility-based daycare, and notes that unlicensed families do not qualify for funding supports.
Why it matters: Helps families see why licensed agency day homes sit in a regulated middle ground — warmer than a large centre, but with oversight private arrangements lack.
- Approved family day homes↗
Government of Alberta
Outlines how educators contract with a licensed agency, receive home visits, training, and access to provincial funding that can lower fees for families.
Why it matters: Shows the practical benefits families gain when care is delivered through an approved agency day home rather than an informal private provider.
- Choose quality childcare↗
Government of Alberta
Lists signs of quality licensed care, what to ask on a visit, and notes that agency-approved family day homes display the Alberta Approved Family Day Homes logo.
Why it matters: Gives families a checklist-style guide to evaluate any provider — and highlights agency approval as a visible trust signal.
- Childcare fees (Affordability Grant for families)↗
Government of Alberta
Explains affordability funding, flat parent fees at participating licensed daycares and family day homes, and that unlicensed care is not eligible.
Why it matters: Clarifies a major financial difference between licensed agency day homes and private unlicensed day homes or daycares operating outside the grant.
- Affordability Grant for child care programs↗
Government of Alberta
Details how licensed daycares and family day homes with an agreement receive operating grants that support lower parent fees, including full-time and part-time fee categories.
Why it matters: Families comparing a licensed agency day home with a private unlicensed option can see how provincial grant policy ties to licensed participation.
- Family Day Home Standards Manual for Alberta↗
Government of Alberta (Open Government)
The standards manual agencies and approved educators must follow for home safety, supervision, monitoring visits, and daily program operations.
Why it matters: The technical rulebook behind agency monitoring — useful for parents who want to understand what Wee Care is required to enforce in each home.
- Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework↗
Flight Framework (Alberta-recommended curriculum)
Alberta’s recommended play-based early learning framework used in licensed programs to support development before Grade 1.
Why it matters: Licensed agency day homes and quality daycare centres align programming with provincial early learning values — unlike unlicensed care with no curriculum expectation.
Links open official Alberta government or provincial early-learning resources. Program details at individual educators may vary; confirm specifics with Wee Care or your family day home educator.
Find a dayhome
A clean care-search experience for busy parents.
The homepage introduces a neighbourhood-first interface concept: parents can quickly understand where Wee Care is active, what kind of care is being requested, and how to start an inquiry from their phone.
Interactive service lookup
Search by neighbourhood or postal code
Why “phone-friendly”? The search is designed mobile-first: parents on a phone can look up a neighbourhood or postal code without pinching or hunting through desktop menus. Wider screens simply get more space around the same tool.
Fort Saskatchewan
Central office support and local dayhome network
Gibbons
Public Facebook profile notes several Wee Care day homes serve Gibbons families
Southfort
Growing family neighbourhoods near schools and parks
Westpark
Home-based care options for north and west commuters
Strathcona County
Sherwood Park and surrounding areas — regional educator and family inquiries welcome
Affordability Grant
Help parents understand Alberta’s flat childcare fees.
Licensed agency day homes and daycares with an Affordability Grant agreement charge set monthly parent fees — not open-ended market rates. Use this tool to see full-time, part-time, and optional service costs.
Affordability Grant
Estimate your flat parent fee.
Alberta’s Affordability Grant lowers fees at participating licensed daycares and agency family day homes. Children must be kindergarten age or younger and registered more than 50 hours per month to qualify for the flat fees below.
Flat parent fee
$326
Optional add-ons
$0
Estimated monthly total
$326
Full-time (100+ hours per month). For licensed daycares and agency family day homes with an Affordability Grant agreement, Alberta sets these flat monthly parent fees (about $15 per day full-time as of April 2025).
Full-time flat fee works out to about $15/day (based on ~22 childcare days per month).
Source: Alberta.ca — Childcare fees. Optional services must be voluntary. Confirm your educator has a current Affordability Grant agreement.
Social proof
Trust signals for parents and future educators.
A dedicated carousel makes room for real local testimonials as the agency gathers permissioned quotes from families and monitored educators.
Social proof
“The agency helped us understand monitored dayhome care and what to ask before choosing a provider.”
Local parent
Fort Saskatchewan family
Become an educator
Turn your home into a licensed Wee Care dayhome.
Wee Care helps educators move from interest to approved care with screening guidance, agency monitoring, family referrals, and operational support.
1
Explore whether home-based childcare is a fit for your family and space
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Complete an educator inquiry with experience, home area, and potential spaces
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Review screening, safety, first aid, and documentation expectations
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Launch with agency monitoring, parent referrals, and ongoing support
In-app onboarding
A first-step eligibility funnel instead of another phone-only path.
Prospective educators can quickly self-check readiness before submitting the longer application, helping the agency prioritize high-fit conversations.
Educator eligibility check
See if opening a dayhome is a fit.
0 of 4 readiness items selected
Select the items that already apply, then Wee Care can guide the next steps.