Crisis Nursery

Need Help?
Call our 24/7 Crisis Line: 403-233-CARE (2273)

COVID-19 UPDATE

The Crisis Nursery has reduced the number of children from 14 down to 6 as per Alberta Health regulations so we can ensure all our children remain healthy. These children (newborn to age 8 years) are high risk (not appropriate to remain at home). The Crisis Nursery staff are dedicated to keeping our children safe by screening all children as per AHS screening guidelines for COVID-19 to ensure that they are healthy and show no symptoms. We are so grateful for our amazing staff who continue to do what they can to keep our children safe!

Families calling for help: The Family Coaches and Intake Workers and overnight staff are available for 24/7 immediate phone support for families who are not able to have their children stay at the nursery. Our coaches will be available to families in the long term who were not able to access the Nursery to ensure they are coping well with parenting and are able to deal with the issue that brought them to call the Crisis Nursery.

Our coaches will continue to provide parenting support, child development support and referrals to community resources to families on their current caseload and we encourage new families who are in need of support to reach out to the nursery as well.

Families can receive support by calling (403) 233-2273

Gift in Kind Donation: We are accepting gift-in-kind donations for items that are listed on our wish list. Due to COVID-19, we are no longer able to accept anything but wish-list items at the Crisis Nursery. We encourage all donations to be delivered from local businesses that do delivery and/or amazon to support these businesses during these challenging times. If you are able to help with the requested items please contact Elisha Jackson at 587-998-2419 to make arrangements with the Crisis Nursery for a safe drop-off.

HISTORY

In 1986 the Senator Patrick Burns Fund donated a building in Killarney to create a safe place that would ensure that 6 children at one time could be cared for during times of family crisis. Soon after we were turning away more children than we could help.

In 1994 the Calgary Home Builder’s Foundation built and donated a new Crisis Nursery - a 14-bed, 5,000 sq. foot facility in the community of Bridgeland in Calgary where we are able to help families facing crisis by providing them with cost-free, short-term care for their children (newborn to eight years of age) and referrals to the resources that can help them to overcome their crisis.

At the Children's Cottage Society, we believe that asking for help is a sign of strength. We encourage parents to reach out when their individual circumstances are such that they are overwhelmed and have nowhere else to turn.

ABOUT THE CRISIS NURSERY

The 14-bed Crisis Nursery provides 24-hour child care services for families in crisis
The Crisis Nursery is available for children newborn to 8 years old
Child care is provided by trained Child and Family Support Workers who are assisted by volunteers
Referrals to agencies, Children’s Cottage Family Liaison, and other services are provided to help resolve the crisis or problem
Confidential help in a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere
Our goal is to help you by providing child care support for your children and by assisting you with resolving issues quickly so that your family will be together again in just a few days
We strive to provide a happy and healthy experience for your children

CALL WHEN YOU ARE

Feeling so stressed that parenting feels impossible
Exhausted by your child’s behaviors
Experiencing a sudden illness or hospitalization
Homeless or have financial difficulties
Feeling alone, sad, tired or overwhelmed
Afraid that you may hurt your child
Experiencing marital conflict

The reasons why parents reach out to us for help are many and varied. We encourage you to call when you are experiencing a concern to see how we may help you.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU CALL

The Family Support Worker will ask you about your specific needs and family situation. The Worker will then work with you to determine which service best suits your needs. The Worker will also ask you the names of your children, the children’s birth date, address, if your child has allergies, special needs, or medications that they are prescribed.

WHAT PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR

Transporting your child to and from the nursery
Providing your child’s Alberta Health Care number
Supplying any medication your child requires in the original container clearly labeled

HOW WE HELP

Upon admission you will be given the opportunity to tour the Nursery and see where your child will play, sleep and eat
The Children's Cottage will provide your child with clothing for their stay with us
The Children's Cottage will provide formula, diapers and try to accommodate any special requests you have with regards to food
If you need clothing, toys and books please ask as we are happy to share
The Family Support Workers will also offer you referrals to community resources and the Worker is available to come to your home to support you after your child’s stay at the Crisis Nursery

LENGTH OF STAY

Depending on your reason for needing to use the Crisis Nursery your child can stay with us for up to 72 hours. We will ask you to take it one day at a time and call us daily to ensure all is well with your children and that they are managing without you.

COST

There is no cost to you for using any of the services provided by the Crisis Nursery.

HOW CAN I ACCESS THIS SERVICE?

Call our 24/7 Crisis Line at 403.233.CARE (2273) and one of our Family Support Workers will guide you through the admission process.