Proud to be named an Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Centre

Metis Calgary Family Services is excited to have been selected for one of 22 Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Centres across Alberta. This initative will allow us to focus on appropriate affordable child care for urban aboriginal families affected by homelessness.

What we offer

To be selected as an Early Learning and Child Care Centre, we were tasked with making improvements that go above and beyond other child care programs. Our program uses an evidence-based *child care curriculum framework. This program was developed by early learning and child care educators, early childhood academics, government, and professionals working in related fields. It is designed to foster improved early childhood development outcomes so your child can get the best possible start to life.

Starting July 1, 2017 we will offer

• Affordable child care spaces, for families impacted by homelessness
• Capped parent fees at $25/day care,
• Inclusive supports for children with diverse needs,
• Flexible child care hours for parents who work shift work or attend school;
• Co-location with Rainbow Lodge Homelessness program

Thank you for your interest in our Early Learning and Child Care Centre program. Please understand that because space is limited, our program is offered on a first-come-first-served basis.  We will contact you should a space become available.

Links and resources

      ·         Early Learning and Child Care Centre grant recipients and fact sheet

      ·         Child care in Alberta

      ·         Child Care subsidies

If you have additional questions about Alberta’s new Early Learning and Child Care Centres, please contact:  ELCC@gov.ab.ca.

Background

Metis Calgary Family Services Society has provided quality urban Aboriginal specific
programming since its’ inception in 1994. The purpose of this application is to request grant
funding for the development of the innovative Early Learning and Child Care centre, with
accessible and affordable licensed and accredited Child Care spaces for children and families
within the Urban Calgary area.
This grant will improve the continuum of Early Learning and Child Care services in Calgary
through increasing access and affordability. This increased capacity will consist of 60 spaces in
licensed, accredited Day care environments, primarily in the Huntington Hill, North Central
area enriching an existing partnership between The Calgary Homeless Foundation, CBE CN
Gunn School, (designated homeless family support school); An area challenge by a shortage in
affordable child care and over represented in high acuity needs affected families, i.e. supported
in concert with current certified and accredited Early Learning initiatives; Little Sundance ELC,
Medicine Wheel ELC, Little Turtle (PLC), Native Network (PLC), and the Rainbow Lodge
homelessness affected population. Many of these families are impacted by the
intergenerational affects of residential schools.
Currently Metis Calgary Family Services is supported by Minister of Children’s Service - Calgary
Region, to operate licensed and accredited daycare services; delivering Medicine Wheel
Preschool, Parent Link Little Turtle Pre School, and Little Sundance Day Care, each premium
quality early child development, and child care services targets the Indigenous community. This
experience has demonstrated that there exists a need for an increase in affordable child care
spaces in Calgary and our goal is to achieve that with the implementation of additional Day
care service 60 new spaces, embedded in the Early Learning Center proposed, the ongoing
operations of which will be supported by provincial child care funding and user fees ($25/day)
where appropriate. This centers scope will target a large percentage of children affected by
homelessness, it is anticipated that we will begin this service July 2017.