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Licensed vs private day home in Alberta

Both are legal — here's exactly what each one means, what oversight you get, and how to check that any day home is safe.

In Alberta, both licensed and private day homes are perfectly legal — they’re just held to different requirements. Understanding the difference helps you ask the right questions and choose with confidence.

Private (unlicensed) day homes

A private day home operates on its own, not under a licensed agency. Alberta allows a private provider to care for a maximum of six children (ages 0–12) at one time, not counting the provider’s own children. That child-count cap is essentially the only legislated requirement. Private providers set their own fees, hours and holidays, and choose which children to take. They are not monitored by the province and are not eligible for the Affordability Grant or subsidy, so families pay the provider’s own rate. (Some municipalities, such as Calgary, add their own basic safety requirements for unlicensed homes.)

Licensed family day homes

A licensed day home operates under contract with a licensed family day home agency. That brings real, ongoing oversight. To be approved, a provider generally needs:

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certification — at least Level 1.
• A criminal record check with vulnerable-sector search for every adult in the home.
• Three satisfactory references from non-relatives.
• A physician’s note confirming they’re able to care for children.
• Agency monitoring at least six times a year, including unscheduled visits.

Because they’re part of the licensed system, these homes can receive the Affordability Grant — which is what makes the $15/day fee possible.

Is a private day home safe?

It absolutely can be — many experienced, loving providers choose to stay private. The key is that you do the vetting the province would otherwise do. Whether a home is licensed or private, before you enrol:

• Ask for references and actually call them.
• Confirm current first aid & CPR and, ideally, a criminal record check.
• Tour the home, see the sleep and play spaces, and ask how many children are in care.
• Ask about backup coverage, sick-day policy, and daily routine.
• Trust your instincts — you know your child best.

Which should you choose?

If subsidy eligibility, the $15/day rate, and formal oversight matter most, a licensed home (or centre) is the fit. If you’ve found a private provider you trust and the price works, that can be a wonderful, more flexible option. On TinyCare Connect you can filter the map by Licensed or Private day home and see openings near you.

Common questions

Is an unlicensed (private) day home legal in Alberta?

Yes. A private day home is legal as long as the provider cares for no more than six children (ages 0–12) at one time, not including their own children.

How many children can a private day home have in Alberta?

A maximum of six children at one time, ages 0–12, not counting the provider’s own children. Caring for more than six requires operating under a licensed agency.

What does a licensed family day home require?

It operates under a licensed agency and generally requires ECE (Level 1+) certification, criminal record and vulnerable-sector checks for adults in the home, references, a physician’s note, and agency monitoring at least six times a year.

Can a private day home offer the $15/day fee?

No. Only licensed programs receive Alberta’s Affordability Grant, so only they can charge the $15/day flat fee. Private day homes set their own rates.

How do you qualify to run a day home in Alberta?

To run a licensed family day home you contract with an agency and generally need ECE Level 1+ certification, a criminal record and vulnerable-sector check, references, and a physician’s note, with agency monitoring at least six times a year. A private day home has no such requirements beyond the six-child limit.

TinyCare Connect is a connector, not a childcare agency. Listings come from public records; we don't verify, endorse, or guarantee any provider. Always do your own due diligence before making childcare decisions.