Flexible, down-to-earth, home-based childcare in Winnipeg.
— Sparrow House — is founded on the values of building community, connection with caregivers & respecting child-led, play-based learning.
In honoring child’s play, we honor the whole child.
“Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed, and intrinsically motived. That is, children will determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests in their own way for their own reasons.”
- The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Caregiver & child attachment is the center of our philosophy.
Sparrow House child to caregiver ratio does not exceed 1:4, unlicensed, or 1:5 when licensed. We take pride in honoring attachment relationships between children and caregivers. Small group sizes allow caregivers to be more attentive to individual needs while also supporting the dynamics of the group.
Building a secure attachment with attentive and nurturing caregivers is the root of building healthy personal relationships with others and the foundation for development, exploration, learning, and self-discovery.
Caregivers at Sparrow House strive to be attentive to children’s needs, such as holding space for all emotions, and to be a secure base from where children can be free to explore, be curious, and engage with the world around them. All caregivers are trained & certified Childcare Assistants or Early Childhood Educators.
Children are cared for in community where individuality is celebrated, while honoring the relationships between one-another and prioritizing the well-being of the group.
Learn more about the importance of caregiver attachment from the Canadian Psychological Society, and the Attachment Society of Manitoba.
Curious about what to expect at Sparrow House?
A day at Sparrow House is anchored by seasonal rhythms, daily weather, energy levels, and child interests. Activities vary from free play to crafts and story time, as well as open exploration outdoors to guided nature walks.
What you won’t see at Sparrow House?
Screen time, rigid schedules, timeouts, school prep, or battery operated toys.
Our home is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
All children are offered a nutritious plant-based meal plan that includes a morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack for an additional fee of $6 per day. Alternatively, parents/caregivers may send nutritious and balanced snacks and lunch with their child(ren) from home.
Take comfort in knowing that your child(ren) will be cared for in the safety and security of a home, in the same way we support and connect with our own children.
Sparrow House provides care to children between the ages of 12 months to 12 years. Children in care may attend the Windsor Community Centre Tiny Tots Preschool Program, the Windsor School Elementary program, and/or participate in homeschooling.
What is the cost to receive care at Sparrow House?
A note about affordability:
At Sparrow House, we believe in paying caregivers above the urban living wage of $19.23 [2023] and above the recommended CCA/ECE wage grid set by the Manitoba Provincial Government.
Paying a living wage to our caregivers while maintaining low child to caregiver ratios are reflected in the fees required to attend Sparrow House. If you are interested, our operating budget can be viewed here.
Closures & Holidays
Sparrow House observes the following closures,
or alternate day should any day fall on a weekend.
Labour Day
Orange Shirt Day
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
New Year’s Day
Louis Riel Day
Good Friday
Victoria Day
July 1st
Civic Holiday
Sparrow House is also closed for three weeks:
One week in the Spring, one week in the Summer, and in between Christmas and New Years.
Register today.
Are you struggling to find childcare?
Do you want better care for your child(ren) than what you’re able to find available?
Are you tired of calling childcare centres and home daycares on the daily?
You’re on every waitlist you can think of, and receiving no call-backs?
Is your ability to return to work dependent on finding quality, affordable childcare?
Is finding care where you feel comfortable leaving your tiny humans, a source of daily stress?
We can help - join our network of childcare homes!
Are you open to having your child(ren) cared for in the comfort of your home, in addition to 2-3 children from your neighborhood? Following the Sparrow House philosophy, we help you with licensing, hiring your care provider, budgeting, and more, to set up in-home childcare.
What are the benefits?
Your child(ren) are cared for in the comfort of their own home. No rushing out the door, frazzled mornings or chaotic start to your day.
Caring for other children from your neighborhood builds lifelong bonds between families, and promotes a sense of community and belonging among children. The additional cost efficiencies of caring for more children, while keeping ratios low and equitable, provides economic value to all families involved.