Licensed vs unlicensed dayhomes in Alberta

In Alberta, dayhome care comes in three flavours. Understanding them will save you a lot of confusion.

1. Approved Family Dayhome (agency-affiliated)

• Caregiver works with a licensed dayhome agency
• Home inspections, criminal record checks, ongoing visits
• Up to 6 children including their own
• Eligible for the $10/day affordability program
• Listed in Alberta Child Care Lookup

2. Licensed group dayhome / centre

• Operates from a centre or commercial space
• Provincial inspections, structured staff-to-child ratios
• Eligible for $10/day program

3. Private (unlicensed) dayhome

• Caregiver operates independently from their home
• Can legally care for up to 6 children (including their own) without licensing
• Not monitored by the province
• Not eligible for $10/day
• Often less expensive than centres
• Quality varies widely — from extraordinary to inadequate

How to evaluate a private dayhome

If you're considering an unlicensed dayhome, ask for:

• Up-to-date First Aid and CPR certifications
• A criminal record check (vulnerable sector)
• References from current and past families
• Their philosophy on screens, naps, food, and discipline (in writing)
• Their backup plan if they're sick

Then visit during a normal caregiving day — not just for a polished tour.

How Waitlist Buddy labels providers

When you search, you'll see:

• Verified Licensed — matched against an active provincial licence
• Approved Family Dayhome — member of an approved agency
• Verification Needed — partial match, we're still checking
• Not in Official Sources — listing exists on Google but no government record

That last label includes most private dayhomes. It's not a judgment — it's a flag for you to do the manual checks above.

A quiet truth

The "best" choice isn't always the most regulated one. It's the one that feels right when you trust your gut, watch the caregiver with the kids, and make the math work for your family. We're just here to give you the information so the decision is yours.