Innisfail & Area Family Day Home Society

06/03/2026

💡 Is there an Early Childhood Educator who completely changed the game for your family this year?

Maybe they’re the one who greets your toddler with the biggest smile every single morning, the one who helped your preschooler finally feel confident making friends, or the Educator who always takes the extra time to listen to your worries as a parent.

Early Childhood Educators don’t just "watch" our children—they nurture their curiosity, build their confidence & give families incredible peace of mind. Now is your chance to give them the ultimate "thank you!"

The Minister’s Awards of Excellence in Child Development celebrate the incredible individuals making a difference in Alberta’s Early Learning & Child Care. Anyone can nominate an Educator, team, or program that goes above & beyond.

Let’s get our amazing Educators the province-wide recognition they deserve! 🏆

👉 How to nominate: https://www.alberta.ca/ministers-awards-excellence-child-development
⏰ Deadline to submit: July 17th, 2026 (by 4:30 PM)

05/15/2026

Today, we join the rest of Alberta in recognizing the professional expertise and heartfelt dedication of those who nurture our youngest citizens. At the Innisfail & Area Family Day Home Society, this day is a reflection of our deepest values.

Our Educators are the hands and hearts that bring our mission to life, serving as the “workforce behind the workforce" for families in Innisfail, Penhold, Springbrook, Olds, Three Hills and Red Deer County.

To our incredible team of Educators: We see your passion, your persistence and your professionalism. You are not “just” Educators; you are mentors, healers, and community builders. Because of you, children are taking flight ♥️

How to participate:
This week, we invite families to share a "Thank You" note or a piece of child-made art with their
Educator. Your words of appreciation are the best fuel for the vital work they do!

05/11/2026

I hope everyone had a wonderful and meaningful Mother’s Day! 💐

Thank you to all the moms, grandmas, and educators who are so deeply and endlessly in love with the little ones in their lives. Your care, patience, warmth, and dedication help children feel safe, valued, and loved every single day.

The world is brighter because of people like you. 💕

05/07/2026

Are you headed to the Olds Community Showcase this evening? Stop by & say hello! 👋 😊

Click here for event information: https://www.olds.ca/news-and-notices/posts/municipal-mini-olds-community-showcase-returns-may-7/

05/04/2026

Today, May 4th, is International Firefighters’ Day.

Not every hero wears a cape. The people brave enough to run into danger, risking their own lives to rescue others, are our firefighters. They may not be Superman or Spiderman, but they are real-life heroes in our communities.

Today, let’s take a moment to appreciate and thank all firefighters for their courage, sacrifice, and dedication. It is also a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the important role firefighters play in keeping our communities safe. ❤️

04/02/2026

Today is World Autism Awareness Day 💙

In early learning environments, inclusion begins with understanding and kindness.

As an agency, we are committed to supporting educators in creating nurturing spaces where all children—of all abilities—can learn, grow, and thrive.

Our day homes are committed to ongoing reflection in our practices, striving to create environments that honour each child’s individuality, support diverse needs, and build a strong sense of belonging for all families in our community.

Let’s celebrate and honour the uniqueness of every child today and every day 💙

03/30/2026

🌟 Now Enrolling in Innisfail! 🌟

One of our day homes in Innisfail has openings available and is ready to welcome children into a fun, safe, and engaging learning environment! 🎨📚

If you're interested or would like more information, please reach out today:
📞 (403) 227-2767
📧 [email protected]
💻 https://www.ifdhs.com/

03/23/2026

Spring is here! 🌱

Yes… it’s wet, messy, and full of muddy puddles and melting snow. And I hear you, parents — the laundry never ends! I’m a mom too, and I get it. But for children, this season is pure joy… and so much more than just play.

Messy play is meaningful learning.

I’d love to share a moment from our educator Tracy’s day home. The children suited up in their muddy buddies and rubber boots and headed outside to explore a giant puddle — almost like a pond! They jumped, splashed, and experimented with breaking apart chunks of melting snow flowing along the curb. They tested how deep the puddles were and ran through them, using their whole bodies to explore movement.

Through this experience, Tracy observed some wonderful learning:
• The children explored snow, ice, and water all at once
• They discovered just how cold puddles can be when surrounded by melting snow
• And most importantly… they learned that rubber boots don’t help if the puddle is deeper than your boots!

With proper gear and supervision, spring’s messy play becomes so much more than getting dirty — it turns into science experiments, creative play, and large motor development.

Welcome, Spring! I just love the feeling of winter ending and a new season beginning. 🌼

03/09/2026

02/25/2026

💗 Pink Shirt Day – February 25, 2026 💗

As parents, you might be thinking… “Another day to remember a special outfit?” Trust me — as a parent of three, I get it! 😊

But Pink Shirt Day has a powerful story behind it. It began when two Grade 12 students stood up for another student who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. They bought and handed out pink shirts to show support — and that simple act of kindness sparked a nationwide movement.

For young children, bullying isn’t always something they fully understand yet. When a toddler grabs a toy, it’s not about being “mean” — it’s about still learning how to share, communicate, and manage big feelings. Kindness, empathy, and inclusion are skills that must be taught, modeled, and practiced every day.

With recent trends online, we’re also seeing how easy it has become — even for adults — to criticize or attack others through screens, where faces aren’t visible and people can remain anonymous. This is a strong reminder of how important it is to teach children digital kindness, empathy, and responsibility from an early age.

At Innisfail & Area Day Home Society, we value nurturing children’s kindness, respecting one another regardless of our differences, and creating an inclusive community where everyone feels they belong.

Bullying is not as simple as a “good guy vs. bad guy” story.
We begin with kindness.

It’s okay to wear pink.
It’s okay to like different things.
It’s okay to make mistakes.
And it’s always important to treat others with compassion.

On February 25, we’ll wear pink to celebrate kindness and inclusion 💕

Thank you for helping us build a caring community, one small act at a time.