Daily Schedule at an Alberta Approved Dayhome

One of the most common questions parents ask is: "What will my child's day look like?" Here's a detailed look at a typical day at an Alberta Approved family day home.

Sample Daily Schedule

6:30 – 8:00 AM — Arrival & Free Play

Children arrive and ease into the day with free play. This is unstructured time where kids choose their own activities — building blocks, puzzles, drawing, or looking at books. It's a gentle transition from home to dayhome.

8:00 – 8:30 AM — Breakfast

A nutritious, home-cooked breakfast served family-style. Children sit together at the table, practising social skills and independence.

8:30 – 10:00 AM — Structured Activities

This is our focused learning time. Activities rotate daily and include:

• Arts and crafts — painting, cutting, gluing, drawing
• Sensory play — water tables, playdough, sand, textured materials
• Early literacy — storytime, alphabet games, singing
• Math concepts — counting, sorting, patterns, shapes
• Science exploration — nature collections, simple experiments

10:00 – 10:15 AM — Morning Snack

A healthy snack to refuel — fruit, crackers, cheese, or yogurt.

10:15 – 11:30 AM — Outdoor Play

Weather permitting, we head outside for fresh air and physical activity. This includes:

• Running, climbing, and active play
• Nature walks around the neighbourhood
• Sandbox and water play in summer
• Snow play and exploration in winter

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Lunch

Another home-cooked meal. We serve balanced lunches with protein, vegetables, grains, and fruit.

12:00 – 2:00 PM — Rest Time

Younger children nap while older children have quiet rest time with books, puzzles, or soft music. Every child's sleep needs are respected.

2:00 – 2:30 PM — Afternoon Snack

Children wake up and enjoy an afternoon snack together.

2:30 – 4:00 PM — Afternoon Activities

A mix of structured and free play:

• Music and movement
• Dramatic play (kitchen, dress-up)
• Building and construction
• Outdoor time if weather allows

4:00 – 5:30 PM — Wind Down & Pickup

Calm activities as parents arrive — colouring, reading, or free play. Children are picked up between 4:00 and 5:30 PM.

How Infant Schedules Differ

Infants follow their own rhythm. We adapt feeding times, nap schedules, and tummy time around each baby's individual needs rather than following the group schedule.

Why Routine Matters

Consistent routines help young children feel secure and confident. Knowing what comes next reduces anxiety and supports self-regulation. At the same time, we maintain flexibility — if a child needs more rest or a different pace, we adjust.

A Day at Bright Fox

This schedule reflects a typical day at Bright Fox Dayhome in Nolan Hill. We balance structure with flexibility, active play with rest, and learning with fun.

Want to see it in action? Schedule a visit or call (587) 889-4788 to learn more.