Become an Educator
Build or grow your family day home with licensed agency support
SMADA is a licensed Alberta Family Day Home Agency. We welcome existing private day home operators and serious people preparing to start a family day home in Calgary.
A good fit if any of these sound like you:
○Existing private day home operator exploring agency approval
○ECE who wants to build from home
○Serious beginner who wants to learn the right way from the start
○Someone ready for standards, support, and professional growth
You do not need every document finished before you reach out. Apply first and we will explain the real next steps for your situation.
Why SMADA
Licensed Calgary agency support, with a human guide beside you.
Building a family day home is personal work. SMADA combines clear agency standards with direct, practical guidance so you can understand the path before you make big decisions.
Licensed agency support
SMADA is a licensed Alberta Family Day Home Agency serving Calgary and surrounding communities.
Guidance from a Level 3 ECE
Founder Slava Sles is an Alberta Level 3 Early Childhood Educator who understands both day-home operations and educator readiness.
Clear before complicated
Start with your real situation. SMADA will help you understand what applies now, what can wait, and whether the agency is a good fit.
Already Running a Day Home?
You’ve Already Built the Hard Part. Now Build It Stronger.
If you already operate a private day home, SMADA can help you explore the path to becoming an approved family day home educator under a licensed agency while keeping the independence of running your own home-based childcare business.
○Guidance through the approval and documentation process
○Support with required records and compliance
○Help preparing your home for agency review
○Ongoing monitoring, mentorship and professional support
○Family placement and enrollment support
○Access to applicable provincial educator supports, subject to eligibility
Private day home operators
Private Day Home? See What Joining a Licensed Agency Could Change.
You do not have to decide anything before you understand the difference. Tell us how your day home operates now, and we’ll walk through the approval path, support available, documentation requirements, and whether SMADA is a good fit.
Agency support
Independent in Your Home. Supported by an Agency.
SMADA educators operate their own home-based childcare programs while receiving agency oversight, guidance, monitoring, documentation support and professional development.
Approval Support
Help understanding required screening, records and home readiness.
Ongoing Guidance
Practical support when questions, incidents, parent issues or compliance concerns come up.
Program Support
Help with planning, child development, documentation and family communication.
Professional Development
Ongoing learning opportunities and agency-led educator development.
Placement Support
SMADA works with families and educators to support appropriate childcare placements when spaces are available.
Provincial Supports
Eligible certified educators may have access to provincial workforce supports subject to current Alberta rules.
What happens after you apply
Clear next steps. Human follow-up.
You do not need to figure everything out alone. Approval is not automatic — SMADA guides serious applicants through the real process.
Step 1 — We review your situation
We look at your experience, home setup, timing, current ECE status, and whether you already operate a day home.
Step 2 — We identify the real next steps
We explain what documents, screening, home preparation, certification or other steps apply to your situation.
Step 3 — We move into the approval process
If there is a good fit, SMADA guides you through screening, home review, documentation and agency approval requirements.
Step 4 — You build with ongoing support
Approved educators receive continued agency monitoring, guidance, training and operational support.
High-level summary
What Does SMADA Look For?
This is a clear overview of the path — not a legal manual. Full details are explained during follow-up.
○Age 18+
○Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search as required
○Screening of applicable adult household members
○References
○Appropriate Early Childhood Educator certification requirements
○Current First Aid / CPR requirements
○A suitable and safe home environment
○Willingness to follow Alberta Family Day Home Standards and SMADA policies
○Professional communication with families and the agency
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: Screening documents have timing requirements. SMADA can help you confirm the current timing and sequence before you spend money or submit documents.
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 approach: Confirm the current accepted course and timing with SMADA before booking, so you choose training that fits the approval path.
Tip: Do not book blindly. We can help you understand the current requirement before you spend 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 planning can protect the educator, children in care, and the property if something unexpected happens.
Best approach: SMADA can explain the current insurance expectations and the right time to address them in your approval path.
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.
CLEAR PATH. ELIGIBLE SUPPORTS.
The Alberta Early Childhood Education Orientation Course is a common entry route for Level 1 certification. Eligible certified educators may have access to provincial workforce supports, wage top-ups, professional-development funding and other programs. Eligibility and amounts are determined by current Alberta government rules.
How simple it can be: One common path is Alberta’s 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.
About provincial supports: Eligible certified educators may qualify for government workforce supports under current Alberta rules. SMADA does not guarantee top-ups, grants, or specific amounts. Always confirm eligibility with current Government of Alberta guidance.
How the levels build: Level 1 is the common 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 practical first move. As you grow into higher ECE levels, additional provincial supports may be available subject to eligibility.
Best move now: Apply early, understand your timing, and start the easiest path first with guidance.
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, and SMADA can help you understand what applies to your situation.
You do not need every box checked before you reach out. If you are serious, apply now and SMADA will help you understand the real order for your situation.
Getting Started Guide
If you’re serious, this is the smartest next move.
Open the full guide to see the real order, the real requirements, the official links, and the practical downloads that keep you from wasting time, money, or momentum.
○See what to do first so you do not get stuck or delayed
○Understand which steps apply to your situation and which ones can wait
○Get the official links, forms, and practical downloads in one place
Clear answers, before you commit
Useful Alberta and Calgary educator guides
Read the plain-English version first, then use the official Alberta sources linked inside each guide to confirm the current rules for your situation.