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Clearer path
Know what matters first, what can wait, and how to move forward without feeling lost.
Educator applications now open • Licensing expected by the end of April
A warmer, clearer, more supported way to build your day home.
For current providers, ECEs, and serious beginners, SMADA is now accepting educator applications while moving through final licensing steps, with licensing expected by the end of April.
Educator applications are open now. Parents can also join the interest list while licensing is finalized.
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Fairer support
Build with guidance, honest communication, and a more human process from the beginning.
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Your home still feels like home
Keep the warmth and personality of your space while building with more structure and confidence.
Experienced providers and serious beginners are both welcome.
This is not only for people already running a day home. The door is open to people who want to learn the right way from the start.
○Existing providers who want a better path
○ECEs who want to build from home
○New people who feel called to childcare and want guidance
○Stay-at-home parents exploring home-based childcare income
What we actually help with
Practical support, not vague promises.
We are currently gathering serious educator applications while SMADA moves through final licensing steps. The goal is to help people start the process early instead of waiting until the last minute.
Guidance on the Level 1 ECE path
Guidance on First Aid / CPR
Readiness steps for your home
Landlord permission guidance if you rent
Documentation and record support
Resources, templates, and next-step help
For Educators
Apply now and start getting ready early
If you want to build or grow a day home, this is the right path for you right now.
○Educator application now open
○Readiness guidance, documents, and next steps
○Start early while licensing is being finalized
For Parents
Join the parent interest list
If you are looking for care, this is the right path for you right now.
○Ask questions and join the interest list
○Hear updates as licensing finishes
○Find out about fit, timing, and next steps
Become an Educator
A better path for experienced providers and new educators
Whether you already run a day home or you are just beginning to explore the path, SMADA is now taking educator applications while final licensing is being completed, with licensing expected by the end of April.
The door is open to more than one kind of educator.
This is not only for people already running a day home. The door is open to serious beginners too — especially people who want to learn the right way from the start.
○Existing day home providers who want a better path
○ECEs who want to build from home with support
○New people who feel called to childcare and want to learn the right way
○Stay-at-home parents exploring home-based childcare income
What to be ready for
Clear expectations from the start
We want to be honest early about what this path requires, without making serious people feel like they need everything finished before they can even reach out.
○Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search +
What it is: This confirms you are eligible to work with children in a licensed childcare setting.
What is required: A Criminal Record Check plus a Vulnerable Sector Search for you, and depending on your living situation, criminal check requirements may also apply to other adults in the home or adults regularly present.
How to get it (Calgary): You typically apply through the Calgary Police Service online application.
Start here:
Calgary Police Service online application
Important timing: Your criminal check is valid for six months. Be aware that it takes time to process and to get a new one, so apply for a new one about one month ahead. You cannot be running a day home with an invalid criminal check.
Important household note: In a family day home setting, background check requirements can extend beyond the main educator. Other adults living in the home, or adults regularly present there, may also need to complete criminal record screening.
If minors live in the home: Additional disclosure requirements may apply even where a criminal record check does not.
Why this matters: It is better to find this out early so there are no surprises later in the approval process.
Tip: Do this early. It can take time to process, and everything else depends on it.
○References, physician note, and proof of age +
What these are: These are part of the broader readiness package that agencies may require during approval.
What may be requested:
- Proof that you are at least 18 years old
- Personal references from adults who know you well and are not relatives
- A physician note or medical confirmation showing you are able to provide childcare
Why this matters: These items are not difficult, but they can slow people down if they wait too long to think about them.
Best approach: Do not panic and do not gather everything blindly. Reach out first, and we can help you understand the right order.
Tip: The goal is not to overwhelm you. The goal is to help you avoid last-minute delays.
○Valid First Aid / CPR, or readiness to complete it soon +
What it is: You need certified First Aid and CPR so you can safely respond in emergencies.
What is required: A recognized course accepted for childcare settings.
Best option: Standard Childcare First Aid with CPR (Level B or C equivalent depending on provider).
Where to book:
First Aid Training Calgary
What to look for:
- Childcare-specific course (preferred)
- Same-day certification
- In-person practical training
Tip: Do not overthink this. We can confirm the exact course before you book so you do not waste money.
○A safe and suitable home environment +
What it means: Your home must be safe, clean, and set up for supervising children.
What is usually required:
- Working smoke and CO detectors
- Safe exits and clear pathways
- Secure storage for hazards
- Clean, usable play space
Learn more:
Government of Alberta — Family Day Home Standards Manual
How to get ready: Do not try to perfect everything first. We will walk you through what matters so you can prepare step-by-step.
○If you rent, written landlord permission +
What it is: Written approval from your landlord allowing you to run a day home.
What is required: Clear written permission — not just verbal.
How to do it: Ask early and clearly. We can help you with wording and what to request so you do not get blocked later.
Downloadable forms:
○Insurance for your day home +
Why it matters: Insurance protects you, the children in your care, and the property itself if something unexpected happens.
What this means in practice: Day home operations typically carry $2 million liability coverage, which provides protection for incidents involving children or visitors while care is taking place.
Cost and concern: Many people worry that this will be expensive. In reality, this type of coverage is more affordable than most expect when set up correctly for a day home.
How we help: You do not have to figure this out alone. We guide you toward the right providers and help you avoid overpaying or choosing the wrong type of coverage.
Important: This coverage also adds a layer of protection for the property, which can help reassure landlords when granting permission.
We walk you through this step at the right time so it feels clear, manageable, and not overwhelming.
○Level 1 ECE, or willingness to complete it with guidance +
What it is: Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certification is the basic entry step for licensed childcare in Alberta.
FREE FIRST STEP. REAL ADDITIONAL PAY.
The Alberta Early Childhood Education Orientation Course is offered at no cost. Once you are certified and working eligible hours through an approved program or family day home agency, the Government of Alberta adds wage top-up funding on top of your regular pay.
How simple it can be: One common path is Alberta’s free online ECE Orientation Course. It is a straightforward entry route designed to help people get started.
Timing note: If you do not already have Level 1 certification, there may still be a period after approval to complete it. The important thing is to start early and understand your timeline clearly.
What the additional pay looks like:
- Level 1: $2.64/hour extra — up to about $477.84 more per month based on the maximum 181 eligible hours
- Level 2: $5.05/hour extra — up to about $914.05 more per month based on the maximum 181 eligible hours
- Level 3: $8.62/hour extra — up to about $1,560.22 more per month based on the maximum 181 eligible hours
What that means: This is government-funded wage top-up added over and above regular pay for eligible certified educators. The funding is calculated on eligible hours, with a current monthly maximum of 181 hours for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
How the levels build: Level 1 is the simple starting step. Level 2 is usually a 1-year early learning and childcare certificate or approved equivalent. Level 3 is usually a 2-year early learning and childcare diploma or approved equivalent.
Prior education can help: Relevant education or coursework — including education completed outside Canada — may be considered through Alberta’s certification process and educational equivalencies. For some applicants, that can make the path easier.
Why this matters: Level 1 is a simple first move that can open the door to real additional income. Then, if you choose to grow into Level 2 and Level 3, the government-funded wage top-up grows with you.
Best move now: Do not wait until the last minute. Apply early, understand your timing, and start the easiest path first.
How to start:
Official Alberta ECE certification page
Tip: Do not let “ECE certification” sound bigger than it is. Level 1 is the entry step, the orientation course is free, and it can lead to real extra government-funded pay on up to 181 eligible hours each month.
You do not need every box checked before you reach out. If you are serious, you can apply now while SMADA completes final licensing steps expected to finish by the end of April.
How the process works
Simple first step. Clear next steps.
You do not need to figure everything out alone before you begin. Educator applications are open now so serious people can start early while licensing is being finalized.
✅ Step 1
Reach out
Tell us where you are now and what kind of support you need.
✅ Step 2
Get clear guidance
We help you understand readiness, documents, training, and what comes first.
✅ Step 3
Move forward with support
From there, you can keep building with more clarity, structure, and confidence.
Getting Started Guide
Step-by-step help for serious educators
This page is here for practical next steps: what to do first, what can wait, what links to use, and how to get ready now while SMADA completes final licensing steps expected by the end of April.
Recommended order
Do these in a calmer, smarter sequence
You do not need to do everything at once. The goal is the right order, not maximum stress.
✅ Step 1
Reach out first
Start with a simple application so we can understand your situation, answer questions, and guide the order of your next steps.
✅ Step 2
Confirm your home situation
Do you own your home or rent? If you rent, landlord permission matters early and should not be left until the end.
✅ Step 3
Start the Level 1 ECE path
For many people, the Alberta orientation course is the easiest first move because it is free, straightforward, and opens the door to government wage top-up.
✅ Step 4
Book the right First Aid / CPR course
Do not waste money on the wrong course. Make sure you book a course accepted for childcare settings.
✅ Step 5
Apply for your criminal check
Do this early enough that timing does not become a problem later. This is a foundational approval item.
✅ Step 6
Review insurance and home readiness with support
These are important, but they are easier and less stressful when handled in the right order with guidance.
What to do now vs later
Reduce overwhelm by separating the steps
People often get stuck because everything feels urgent. It is not. Here is the cleaner way to think about it.
Do first
○Reach out to SMADA
○Confirm whether you own or rent
○Understand the Level 1 ECE path
Do soon
○Book the right First Aid / CPR course
○Apply for the criminal record check
○Ask for landlord permission if you rent
○Think ahead about references, physician note, and proof of age
Do with support
○Choose the right insurance path
○Prepare your home for readiness standards
○Map out Level 2 and Level 3 growth later
Direct links
Official places to start
○Ask us directly about references, physician note, and household-member screening requirements
Downloads
Practical forms and support files
Common mistakes
What makes people lose time
○Waiting too long to ask the landlord
→ Ask early. This can block everything later if delayed.
→ Ask early. This can block everything later if delayed.
○Booking the wrong First Aid / CPR course
→ Confirm the correct course first so you don’t waste money or time.
→ Confirm the correct course first so you don’t waste money or time.
○Assuming Level 1 is complicated
→ It’s simpler than it sounds. Start early and build momentum.
→ It’s simpler than it sounds. Start early and build momentum.
○Buying insurance too early
→ Wait until the right stage so you don’t overpay or choose the wrong coverage.
→ Wait until the right stage so you don’t overpay or choose the wrong coverage.
○Thinking only your own documents matter
→ In some cases, other adults in the home or regular household presence can affect approval too.
→ In some cases, other adults in the home or regular household presence can affect approval too.
International education
Already have training from another country?
Some applicants may already have education, coursework, or professional training that can help through Alberta’s equivalency and reassessment process. This can make the path easier for the right person.
The point is simple: do not assume you are starting from zero if you already have relevant background.
Still unsure?
Let us help you sort the order.
You do not need to figure out the entire process before reaching out. SMADA is taking educator applications now so serious people can begin early while licensing is being finalized.
For Parents
Warm, structured, home-based care families can actually feel good about
Parents should not have to choose between warmth and structure. SMADA is in the final stage of becoming licensed, with licensing expected by the end of April, and is currently building its educator network and parent interest list.
What families should feel
Safe. Welcomed. Informed.
We want families to feel peace when they walk in, confidence in the routines, and trust in the communication.
○A warm home environment, not a cold institutional feel
○Clear routines that help children feel secure
○Respectful, human communication with parents
○Creative, thoughtful care that still feels grounded and calm
Parent-facing visuals should reinforce warmth, cleanliness, calm daily rhythm, and a home environment families can feel good about.
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Home-based warmth
A setting that feels more personal, more natural, and often calmer than large crowded rooms.
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Clear daily structure
Children do better when the environment feels predictable, organized, and steady from day to day.
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Creative enrichment
Music and creativity are part of the agency identity, but always inside a bigger commitment to safe, thoughtful childcare.
What parents can expect
Day-to-day care should feel calm and well-run
The goal is not chaos or guesswork. It is a home daycare experience that feels warm, attentive, and organized.
○Thoughtful arrival and transition into the day
○Meals, snacks, and table routines with supervision
○Guided play, learning, and creative activity
○Rest, quiet time, and calmer transitions
○Respectful parent communication instead of confusion
What trust looks like
Parents should feel the standards behind the care
Trust is not built with vague promises. SMADA is currently in final licensing steps, expected to finish by the end of April, and is building around safer environments, clearer expectations, and better communication.
Safe and suitable home environments
Required documentation and readiness steps
Criminal record checks and vulnerable sector screening
First Aid / CPR readiness
Cleaner routines and stronger organization
Human communication with families
Looking for care?
Join the parent interest list and ask about next steps
If you are a parent looking for care, you can reach out now to ask questions, join the parent interest list, and hear updates as SMADA completes licensing expected by the end of April.
○Ask to join the parent interest list
○Ask whether the environment may feel like the right fit for your child
○Ask what updates, timing, and next steps to expect as licensing finishes
Current stage
SMADA is not promising immediate placement today. Right now, this form is for the parent interest list so we can understand your needs, preferred language, and timing while licensing is finalized.
Parent interest list
Use this form to tell us about your children, your likely timing, your preferred area zone and neighbourhood, and any language preference you would like us to keep in mind if available.
Questions from parents are welcome. Right now, the goal is a calm first conversation and a clear way to join the parent interest list while licensing is finalized.
About SMADA
Built from lived experience
This page deepens trust and shows why the agency feels more human, more fair, and more grounded from the beginning.
The founder story
Why this agency was created
A place where children are safe, cared for, and supported to grow with confidence.
This is not just a childcare agency. It is a place where parents can feel at peace and educators can build something real, stable, and respected. Trust is earned through clear standards, honest communication, and people who are prepared, supported, and accountable.
When Slava first started looking into day homes and agencies, what she found was not clarity but confusion. Information was everywhere, but there was no simple path to follow — no clear starting point, no step-by-step guidance, and no real sense of what mattered first. Finding an agency was just as difficult. She reached out again and again, but there were no available spots and no real support for how to move forward. For more than two years, she searched while continuing to run her own private day home and trying to figure everything out on her own.
That experience became the turning point. Slava saw how easily educators and families could be left feeling rushed, overwhelmed, unsupported, or rejected. In her experience, people were often pushed through paperwork without real explanation, or left feeling that one mistake could cost them everything. She also experienced contracts ending in ways that felt driven more by fear and competition than by support. That showed her how badly people needed something different: an agency built on clarity, accountability, calm step-by-step guidance, and real integrity. SMADA was created to offer what was missing — a more human path into childcare, backed by clear systems, written standards, and practical checklists that guide instead of overwhelm.
From the very first conversation, Slava wants educators to feel safe, guided, organized, and at peace. She wants them to know they are not alone — that they have someone beside them who understands the process, shares real knowledge, and helps them move forward with confidence. For educators, this is not just about paperwork or placement. It is about building a real day home business with support behind it — with clearer guidance, practical help, stronger positioning, and room to keep growing in both quality and income.
For parents, the promise is simple and non-negotiable: their child should be safe, cared for, and supported to grow with confidence. Slava wants children to experience a childhood that feels joyful, peaceful, and truly theirs — a place where they can have fun, feel secure, and develop their creativity, confidence, language, motor skills, and sense of self. Safety and dignity are non-negotiable. There is no place in this environment for abuse, neglect, violence, smoking, drugs, or any behavior that puts children at risk. Parents should feel that the people caring for their child are calm, capable, attentive, and prepared to respond responsibly on ordinary days and in emergencies.
Supporting families — especially newcomers and Ukrainian families — is also deeply personal to her. Slava knows how heavy a language barrier can feel when people are already trying to rebuild their lives. Many families arrive scared, unsure where to go, and unsure who will truly help them. She never wants parents or educators to feel unwelcome, alone, or afraid to ask questions. She wants them to feel respected, understood, and treated with kindness from the beginning.
Slava’s connection to this work is deeply personal. She has always loved being around children. Even as a child herself, she naturally cared for younger kids, created activities, and found joy in their growth. She believes early environments shape who children become, and that a peaceful, supportive childhood helps build a stronger future.
Music is another foundation of her life. She began studying music at the age of five and continued through years of formal training in music school, college, and university, developing as a performer, conductor, singer, pianist, and bandura player. As an opera singer and trained musician, she has performed internationally and seen firsthand how music builds discipline, concentration, creativity, rhythm, and emotional expression. For her, music is not decoration. It is part of how children learn to focus, create, move, express feelings, and experience joy. In everyday care, music shows up naturally — in transitions, songs, rhythm, movement, language, and the discovery of new sounds and cultures.
Her path into SMADA is also grounded in experience. She began by running her own day home, then continued her education in early childhood development, earning Level 2 and Level 3 certification. That gave her a deeper understanding of children’s behavior, development, and needs, and of how to support both children and educators with more wisdom and precision.
At the center of everything Slava builds is how she shows up for people. She wants educators and parents to feel that she is truly on their side — someone who listens, understands, and helps solve real problems instead of adding more confusion. People often describe her as kind, hardworking, steady, and someone with a big heart. She believes support should feel human, not transactional, and that people should leave feeling better, clearer, and more confident than when they started.
More than money, she cares about building a real community — one where parents feel at peace, educators feel respected, and both naturally share their experience because they genuinely felt supported. She cares about creating environments where people can feel safe enough to grow, creative enough to contribute, and supported enough to keep going.
If she had to describe what SMADA is meant to be in one sentence, it would be this: a family you can trust — one that cares, guides, and stays with you through the process.
What makes the brand distinct
Warmth, structure, and a real music identity
Music is not decorative here. It is part of the soul of the brand — shaped by real study, real performance experience, and a deep appreciation for what rhythm, creativity, and beauty can add to a child’s day.
That distinctiveness sits inside something bigger: support, fairness, communication, and a more human approach to childcare from home.
Core values
What should be felt throughout the agency
The brand should not feel cold, vague, or corporate. It should feel calm, capable, warm, and trustworthy.
○Fairness over confusion
○Real experience behind the guidance
○Music as a genuine part of the identity
○Multicultural and multilingual support
Educator Applications
Apply now while licensing is being finalized
SMADA is taking educator applications now, with licensing expected by the end of April. This page is built to feel safe, clear, and easy to begin.
Educator application form
Start your 2-minute educator application
We only ask for enough information to understand your fit and guide the next step clearly while licensing is being completed.
This form is for educators and prospective educators. Parents should use the parent interest list on the Parents page.
Why this form feels safer
You are not paying here. You are not committing to everything here. This is simply the first step so we can understand your situation now and guide what comes next while licensing is being finalized.
○No pressure. No giant intake wall. Just the first real step while educator applications are open.
○We can confirm readiness details next: criminal check, First Aid / CPR, landlord permission if renting, and the Level 1 ECE path.
What happens next
Clear follow-up. Calm guidance.
A human response, clearer next-step guidance, and a calmer process from here.
✅ Step 1
We review your message
We look at your background, readiness, and what kind of support you need most while SMADA completes final licensing steps.
✅ Step 2
We guide the next step
You get clearer direction on readiness, documents, training, and what comes first so you can be positioned early.
✅ Step 3
We follow up personally
The goal is a human response, calm guidance, and a clearer path while licensing moves toward completion expected by the end of April.
Reassurance
A simple first step
No pressure. No payment. Just a clear way to introduce yourself, send your educator application directly, and expect a response within 72 hours.
○No payment here
○No giant intake wall
○No obligation just to reach out
○A human follow-up, not a cold process
Contact details
Calgary-based. Personal. Structured.
○Office: 400S Suite 4067 S111, 8500 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2N1
○Agency line: 403-493-8008
○Meetings: By appointment only
○Approach: High-trust, low-pressure, guided next steps
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what actually matters before you move forward.
Educator FAQ
Questions from educators
Do I already need to be running a day home?
No. Existing providers are a strong fit, but the door is also open to people who are new and serious about learning the right way.
Do I need Level 1 ECE before I apply?
Level 1 ECE matters, but you do not need to have everything finished before reaching out. If you are serious, we can help you understand the path and next steps.
What if I am serious but still gathering documents?
That is okay. The goal is to help serious people understand the right order and next steps early so they do not lose time or get overwhelmed.
Will I lose control of my home daycare?
No. The goal is support with standards — not confusion, not chaos, and not unfair control.
What happens after I apply?
You can expect a human follow-up, clearer next-step guidance, and a calmer process while SMADA completes licensing expected by the end of April.
Parent FAQ
Questions from parents
What kind of environment does SMADA want families to experience?
Warm, structured, and home-based — with real communication, safety, and creative enrichment built into the day.
Is music the only focus?
No. Music is part of the agency’s identity, but the bigger promise is warm care, structure, communication, and thoughtful child development.
Do you support multilingual families?
Yes. SMADA is especially equipped to support English, Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish-speaking families and educators.
Can parents reach out before licensing is complete?
Yes. Parents can call, ask questions, and join the interest list now while SMADA completes final licensing steps expected by the end of April.
How do parents join the interest list?
Parents can now use the interest list form on the Parents page, call 403-493-8008, or reach out by email. We also ask for your preferred language so communication feels easier from the start.
Still need help?
Choose the path that fits you and we will help with the next step.
Whether you are an educator exploring approval or a parent asking about care, the goal is the same: clear answers, calm guidance, and a human response in the language that feels easiest for you when possible.