Our Team
Meet the team behind the success of Hemel House!
Amanda - Coordinator
About Me
Born and raised in Lethbridge, I want to support the families of this city I love so much. I have been around the Hemel House community my entire life attending the day homes as a child myself.
Mission & Philosophy
To support all day home providers in order to provide the best care possible while keeping their business up to the standards and regulations. To support all families in order for them to feel confident in their child care decision knowing Hemel House is there to support them and their child is being cared for and learning in a safe environment with a nurturing trained caregiver.
Qualifications & Experience
Child Development Worker Certificate (Level 2) - Early Childhood Education Certificate
E.C.E. training and courses - ongoing (includes: Health and Safety, confidentiality, planning, observation and recording, ethics, diversity etc.)
Business Administration Diploma, with a major in Marketing (Honours)
Merchandising Diploma
Current First Aid Certificate
Mental Health First Aid Certificate
Little Warriors: Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
All work experience involves providing excellent customer service
Celebrating 19 years as a Hemel House staff member
Unique Elements
Attends all training offered by Hemel House
Participates in additional training by ARCQE and other
A member of the Hemel House Mastermind Group
Volunteers on the board for the yearly Early Childhood Education Conference
Coordinator for the Child Care Directors Association of Southwest Alberta
Contact
support@hemelhouse.com
403-327-7077
Melanie Daniels - Child Care Consultant
About me
I grew up on a farm in Shoal Lake, Manitoba where I developed a strong love for animals and the outdoors. As a teenager, I loved taking care of children for parents and started an early interest in supporting families and children with disabilities. I continued working with children with disabilities into adulthood. I pursued a diploma in this field at the Lethbridge College and then furthered my education in getting my B.A. majoring in Human Services. I took on a position as a Senior Behavioural Interventionist, providing in home therapy for children with disabilities and their families. 4-H is also a big part of my life, since I was 9 years of age. I became a leader in 2003 and took a step back from leadership in 2010 to raise my family. I have lived in Lethbridge for 16 years now. I am married and have 2 children who love the outdoors too. As a family we love to camp, play board games and play a variety of sports and I personally, love art and yoga.
Mission and philosophy
My mission is to support all the amazing and hard-working Day Home Educators, Parents and Children with Hemel House with by actively listening and having open communication. I will support you with goal setting, problem-solving, positive guidance strategies, providing resources, understanding of standards and new philosophies to play.
I firmly believe that we all “Learn to do by Doing,” which is the 4-H motto and I live by this motto. We can not learn something if we don’t act; it is acceptable if we make mistakes. This is how we learn by reflecting and changing our actions.
Qualifications & Experience:
Early Learning and Child Care Certificate
Child Development Worker Certificate (Level 2)
Little Warriors: Sexual Abuse Prevention Training - 2012
Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Human Services (with Great Distinction) through Athabasca University
Diploma in Rehabilitation Services (with Honours) through Lethbridge College
Current First Aid
Worked as a Senior Behavioural Interventionist for 4 ½ years
Operated a Day Home with Hemel House for 5 years
Mental Health First Aid
Working with Explosive/ Non-Compliant Children & Adolescents 2013
Beyond the Basics Level 2: Using a Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach 2013
Safe Place, Sense of Touch and Child Guidance Workshop 2012
Alberta Health Services: Child Care Health and Safety Training 2017
Fire Extinguisher & Small Fire Management Course 2017
Unique Elements:
Attends all trainings through Hemel House
Looks for opportunities to learn and grow
American Sign Language: Level 1
Level 3 4H Leader for 7 years
Enjoys Public Speaking
Contact Info:
support@hemelhouse.com
403-327-7077
Rebeca - Child Care Consultant
About Me
Originally from Argentina, South America, and relocated to Medicine Hat Alberta in 1980. I was two years old when I came to Canada. I grew up in Medicine Hat Alberta, shortly after graduating from high school I moved to Lethbridge Alberta. I attended the Lethbridge College and graduated from Child And Youth Care in 2005. I am married and have two beautiful children. I want to support Lethbridge families and Day Home Providers. I have been with Hemel House since May 2007.
Mission & Philosophy
To support all day home providers and help them excel in their professional fields, by helping them create a safe and nurturing environment in their homes and maintaining up to the standards and regulations. To support all families through their decisions of child care with trained caregivers, where their child’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs are met within the warmth and security of a home setting.
Qualifications & Experience
Level 3 - Child Care Supervisor certification in child care
Child and Youth Care Diploma
Completed Learning Language and Loving It - The Hanen Program for Early Childhood Educators/Teachers in 2008
Completed RIE Level 1 - Infant Carer in 2009
Professional Development - ongoing (includes: Health and Safety, confidentiality, planning, child guidance, ethics, diversity etc.)
Mental Health First Aid
Little Warriors: Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Unique Elements
Attends all training offered by Hemel House
Participates in additional training offered by ARCQE, CFSA and other community organiztions
Attends Family Day Home Sector Meetings
Contact
Mary Spanke
About me:
I grew up on a farm, just outside of Milo, Alberta. I moved to Lethbridge in 2001 where I attended the college and earned my diploma in Early Childhood Education. I am married and have 3 energetic 13 year old boys (we are a blended family; my husband has twins and my son is 2 months younger). In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, camping, hiking and riding horses.
Mission and philosophy:
To support and encourage all day home providers and their families they care for. I believe children learn best in a safe, nurturing and open play setting. I want parents to feel comfortable knowing that their child(ren) are being well cared for and are growing and learning each day.
Qualifications & Experience:
Early childhood diploma (level3) - 2003
Child Development Supervisor Certificate (level 3)
Operated a Day Home with Hemel House for 5 years
Current first aid
Unique Elements:
ARCQE- Mentored and trained local child care professionals as needed or requested.
(Including topics as such: Inclusion of children with special needs, Multiculturalism, Preparing for accreditation, Play spaces and more….)
Received Alberta Child Care award (children with special needs) 2007
Complete RIE – level 1 in 2009
Professional ongoing development (teaching children through play, caring for self-caring for others)
Justine Hendricks
About Me
I was born and raised in Calgary and moved to Lethbridge around 2007. I have a half brother and sister here who I moved to be closer to. I became interested in Early Childhood Education through my volunteer work with Girl Guides of Canada as a Sparks Leader. I completed my Early Childhood Education Diploma at Lethbridge College in 2012. My journey in working in Early Childhood Education has given me experiences working in Daycares, Preschool, Private Day home and Licensed Day home. I have been with Hemel House Day homes as a provider from February 2019 – December 2024.
Mission & Philosophy
My mission is to support families, children and educators by building strong relationships. Together we can ensure that all the Hemel House Day Homes are safe and nurturing while meeting all regulatory requirements and best practice guidelines. Open and welcoming communication will assist us all in not only meeting the needs of the whole child, but also ensuring they can thrive. My philosophy encompasses that children learn through play based and child led experiences. I believe every child has their own strengths and we as educators need to provide the time, space, materials, attention and care for the children to reach their full potential.
Qualifications & Experience
Level 3 Childcare Supervisor Certification
Early Childhood Education Diploma – June 2012 Lethbridge College
Intermediate First Aid Level C CPR and AED
Mental Health First Aid
Little Warriors Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Operated licensed and private day home for a combined total of just over 9 years
Flight Early Curriculum Framework Course –Feb 2025 MacEwan University
Unique Elements
Volunteers as a Crisis Support Worker with Victim/Witness Services since January 2022
Volunteered as a Unit Leader for Sparks, and other various unit and district level positions for 10 years.
Participated in providing a space and support for Lethbridge Polytechnique Early Childhood Education practicum students within the day home
Advocate for all individuals to be able to know about and access community resources and support for mental health, ADHD and any area an individual may need additional guidance.
Very creative and Resourceful
Contact Info:
support@hemelhouse.com
403-327-7077
Claudine - Founder
About Me
Originally from Belgium, moved to Lethbridge in 1975. I attended University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College. I married and raised my family in this beautiful city. To support Lethbridge families and Day Home Providers, I founded Hemel House Child Care Services in 1982.
Mission & Philosophy
Providing safe and nurturing child care for children ages 0-12 years, in approved and monitored family day homes. Educating parents on child development and how to build healthy and positive relationships with their child. Servicing, supporting and training family day home providers so they are successful with operation of their day home business and provide children with stable and nurturing child care.
Qualifications & Experience
University of Lethbridge, completed Bachelor of Education in 1979
Lethbridge College, completed Early Childhood Education in 1993
Trained in using the Family Day Home Rating Scale in 1997
Completed Parents as Teachers training in 1999 to become a Supervisor/Parent Educator
Completed Healthy Families in America Primary Training as a Family Support Worker in 2002
Completed Families First Home Visitor Advocate Training Based on "Invest in Kids" Curriculum in 2003
Completed Training on Oral Language and Literacy Development in 2004
Certified in Level 2 Diagnostic Inventory for Screening Children in 2004
Completed the Institute of Working with High Risk Families in Child Care Settings in 2006
Completed Learning Language and Loving It - The Hanen Program for Early Childhood Educators/Teachers in 2008
Completed RIE Level 1 - Infant Carer in 2009
Became an authorized Little Warriors Volunteer Facilitator, teaching the Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Sessions to adults in 2011
Completed training in Infant and Preschool Mental Health Services in 2012
Completed facilitator training for Little Warriors "Prevent It" in 2014
Completed facilitator Training for Inamojo, a well-being program for children, in 2015
Completed Mental Health First Aid training in 2017
Celebrating 36 years with Hemel House
Unique Elements
Attends all training offered by Hemel House, as well as presenting workshops
Participates in additional training offered by ARCQE, CFSA and other community organizations
Is a volunteer Facilitator for Little Warriors Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
Teaches Inamojo sessions to children, a well-being program using stories, movements and art to deal with all emotions.
