If young children do not have a parent or other caregiver to take care of them during the day, there are a number of options for child care. Relatives or babysitters (who may supervise up to six children without requiring a license) may be appropriate for in-home care, or you may want to place your child in a program outside of the home.
The province of Alberta regulates the standards for child care, including day care, out of school care, family day homes, nursery schools and drop-in centres. Facilities must be licensed to provide care for your child, and supervised by trained staff. Financial subsidies are available for low-income families.
As well, the province of Alberta provides support and programs for qualified stay-at-home parents with young children in approved early childhood education programs.
Government Policy
Alberta Children's Services Provides information and check-lists to help parents find quality child care, plus information and links about child care subsidies, adoption, parent support services, and phone numbers for the Kids Help Line, and the Child Care Help Line for Parents. http://child.alberta.ca/home/587.cfm
National Child Benefit (Low Income Families) This program provides financial and social support to low-income families. http:/
Finding Child Care
Association of Family Day Home Service A non-profit organization whose members offer childcare services. Its site contains some general information about home care, and a list of day-homes in the Edmonton region. http:/
Child Care Services - Yellow Pages Complete listings of child care facilities in Edmonton. http:/
Discover Edmonton Child Care Information about private day homes offering childcare. http:/
Edmonton & Area Child and Family Services This site offers detailed information about childcare services in Edmonton. It includes a helpful and comprehensive set of links to information for parents, what support services are available, and a list of care facilities, broken down by neighborhood. http:/
University of Alberta Child Care The University of Alberta has five affiliated, accredited child care centres. http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/childcare/
More Resources
Childcare Facilities and Dayhomes An excellent resource, with links to childcare information sites, facilities and day homes in Edmonton. (The site is bilingual, and also contains excellent links to a variety of resources of specific interest to women, from health care to human rights.) http:/
Edmonton YMCA Childcare Information The Edmonton YMCA provides childcare and after school programs, and an array of family services to support healthy kids and families. http:/
Little boy at the Fringe Festival
