Frequently Asked Questions

Two organisations, and neither of them is us. Alberta Child Care Licensing licenses and inspects the program. Discovery Tots, our family day home agency, oversees the home on an ongoing basis. Criminal record checks and first aid certification have to stay current as a condition of both. It is the part of the day home model most parents do not know about, and it is worth asking any provider you visit.

Saba is Alberta certified at Level 1 (Child Development Assistant) and First Aid certified, with a current criminal record check, all kept up to date as a condition of running a licensed Discovery Tots agency home. A small group and trusted safety and early-learning standards mean every child gets real, personal attention.

This part is looked after by our agency, Discovery Tots, rather than by us directly. They run a backup care system, so a caregiver's sick day does not automatically mean the day home is closed. Backup is not guaranteed, though, and if a substitute is not available, families use the agency's walk-in care option, which comes with an additional fee. Discovery Tots will walk you through exactly how it works, so you always know your options.

The home is set up and inspected against Alberta licensing and Discovery Tots safety standards, which cover things like safe sleep, secured hazards, and emergency preparedness. The best way to get a feel for it is in person, so book a tour and have a good look around.

We follow a written evacuation plan from our agency, Discovery Tots, and it is posted on the wall along with a floor plan marking the exit routes. In a real evacuation, the educator stays calm, gathers the emergency bag and all the children, and leaves by the nearest safe exit to a muster point, then notifies emergency services (9-1-1), the agency, and parents, in that order, with the agency stepping in right away to help. If weather means the muster point is not safe to wait at, the children are moved to a predetermined sheltered spot nearby, and the caregiver stays with them the whole time, comforting and reassuring, until every child is picked up. We also log monthly fire drills, smoke and CO detector tests, and fire extinguisher checks.

We welcome children from 12 months through preschool age, and we are licensed for a maximum of 6 at any one time. We do not take children under 12 months.

As of August 2026 there is room for ages 3 and up. Under 3s are full, but the waitlist is open. Availability changes over time, so the surest way to check today is to reach out for a tour.

We are putting the finishing touches on how the waitlist runs. For now, the best step is to book a tour and let us know your child's age and ideal start date, and we will explain where things stand and keep you posted as spots open.

There is no registration fee. A $500 deposit is required to hold your child's spot, and we will go over exactly how it works when you enroll. See our full rates for the monthly fees.

Enrollment runs through our licensed agency, Discovery Tots. Once your tour goes well and you would like a spot, the agency gets in touch and walks you through the registration paperwork step by step, so you are never sorting it out alone. We are right there to help along the way.

Full-time is CA$326.25 a month, about $15 a day, and part-time is CA$230.00 a month. The rate is the same at any income because it already includes the Alberta Child Care Affordability Grant. See our full rates.

No. The Alberta Child Care Affordability Grant is applied automatically from month one once your child is enrolled. There is no separate form, no income test, and no waiting on approval. Billing is handled monthly by Discovery Tots.

Yes. Full-time is 100 or more hours a month, and part-time is 50 to 99 hours a month. The rate is the same for every age. See the full breakdown.

Fees are invoiced monthly through Discovery Tots, the licensing agency. We are finalising the finer details of accepted payment methods and billing dates, and we will spell those out clearly in your enrollment package. Ask us during your tour for the current specifics.

We are finalising our written late pick-up policy. Consistent pick-up by 5:00 PM keeps the day calm and predictable for everyone, and if you are ever running behind we just ask that you let us know. We will confirm the full details at enrollment.

Because fees are set monthly rather than daily, a day home is billed a little differently from paying per day of attendance. We are finalising exactly how absences and vacation are handled and will confirm it in writing before you enroll, so you know what to expect.

Gentle arrival and free play from 7:00, a morning snack, then learning through play with arts, crafts, sensory activities, and books. Outdoor time before a home-style lunch, quiet rest in the early afternoon, then an afternoon snack, free play, and happy pick-ups. Predictable rhythm, room to explore.

Yes. Fresh air, nature exploration, and active play happen every day, weather permitting. Please pack clothes suited to the day so your child can join in comfortably.

Yes. The early afternoon is set aside for rest, with a nap for the littles and quiet activities for children who no longer sleep, so everyone gets a calm reset in the middle of the day.

Our small, mixed-age group works a bit like siblings, where younger ones learn from older, and older ones practise patience and leadership. With a maximum of six children, activities flex to meet each child where they are.

Yes. Photos, nap times, and milestones are shared daily, so you are always in the loop even while you are at work.

We guide behaviour gently and positively, never with punishment or raised voices. With only six children, most bumps are caught early, and we treat them as moments to learn rather than misbehaviour. We keep expectations simple and consistent, name feelings out loud so children can understand them, and help them find the words and the next step, whether that is taking a turn, sharing, or taking a quiet moment to reset. We redirect toward a positive choice, model kindness and patience, and stay calm so a child can settle. For anything bigger, we work as partners with you and line up our approach at home and here, so your child gets the same caring, consistent message in both places.

Our days are built around hands-on play, outdoor time, books, and real activities rather than screens. We are finalising the written policy and will confirm the specifics at enrollment.

Either works. Meals are an optional add-on: $210 a month covers breakfast, lunch, and two snacks, all cooked fresh in our kitchen, with halal options at no extra cost. We accommodate common allergies. If you would rather send your own food, that is completely fine and costs nothing extra. See our full rates.

Yes. Halal snacks and meal options are available. Just let us know during enrollment and we'll make sure your child's dietary needs are met with care every day.

We accommodate common allergies and dietary needs. Tell us what your child needs during enrollment and we will plan around it with care. For severe or complex allergies, let us talk it through together so we get every detail right.

We are finalising our written sick-child policy. As a general rule, children who are unwell rest at home so the small group stays healthy, and we will share the specifics, including which symptoms mean a day at home and when a child can return, in your enrollment package.

We are confirming exactly how we handle immunization records. We will go over what we ask for during enrollment. If you have questions in the meantime, please bring them to your tour.

We are happy to support diapering and potty training at your child's pace, in step with what you are doing at home. We are finalising the written details, including what to pack, and will confirm them at enrollment.

Licensed day homes follow set procedures for storing and giving medication with written parent consent. We are finalising our own paperwork for this and will walk you through it at enrollment so everything is documented properly.

We are putting together a simple packing list. Generally it is weather-appropriate outdoor clothes, indoor shoes, a change or two of clothes, and any comfort item for rest time, plus diapers if needed. We will give you the full list before your child's first day.

Tiny Oaks is in the Royal Oak community in NW Calgary. For privacy and security, we share the exact address privately after confirming your tour. Book a tour and we'll be in touch within 24 hours with all the details.

Head to our booking form and we'll reply within 24 hours to set a time. On the tour you can see the space, meet Saba, and ask all your questions, with no pressure, just a warm welcome and a chance to picture your child here.