Childcare By Design Coaching Inc.

What Childcare By Design Coaching Inc. does

Childcare By Design Coaching Inc. is a Calgary-based, privately held professional development company that sells coaching, training, and digital tools to childcare leaders and early childhood educators, primarily in Alberta, Canada. The company's core offerings fall into three categories: domain-specific digital products (the SYNC by Design Childcare Planner — a hyperlinked GoodNotes-compatible iPad planner consolidating programming, child information records, audits, inventory, and compliance tools, priced at C$89), structured curriculum products (Play Together Lab™, a 16-week leadership curriculum using a Repair & Reset framework priced C$79–C$169, and Back Pocket Games, a 100+ activity reference book priced at C$30), and a content and workshop catalog led by the CORE Systems Framework (a 12-hour C$500 workshop covering Care, Organization, Revenue, Excellence), the annual Enrich & Inspire virtual conference (15 expert-led sessions at C$197), and 15+ individual on-demand expert interview courses at C$25 each.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market: self-serve e-commerce for digital products, Zoom and in-person workshops booked via Tickettailor, a Calendly-driven inside sales motion for coaching (entry via a free 20-minute Financial Snapshot call), and government-funded institutional access through its Level 3 PD Funding approved status under the Alberta Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program — where it is 1 of only 11 certified independent providers. The customer base is segmented primarily toward individual childcare directors and small-centre owners (SMBs), with secondary segments in administrators and after-school program leaders. Pricing across the portfolio is one-time / perpetual license, ranging from C$25 individual courses to C$500 for the flagship workshop, with bundle pricing at C$79–C$239, and coaching / consulting engagements priced on application. The company is bootstrapped, founder-led by Jennifer Bulmer (30+ years of Out of School Care experience, operator of 5 Juvenescence Child Development Centre locations), and operates with a 11–50 person team out of a single Calgary headquarters.

Name

Childcare By Design Coaching Inc.

Legal name

Childcare by Design Inc.

Website

https://childcarebydesign.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Childcare By Design Coaching Inc. is a Calgary-based, privately held professional development company that sells coaching, digital planning tools, curriculum, and PD-approved workshops to childcare directors, owners, and educators, primarily in Alberta, Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Childcare Professional Development

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Parenting Skills & Child Development Education (EDACALAA)

Keywords

• Childcare professional development
• Early childhood education
• Childcare coaching services
• Childcare leadership training
• Childcare operations tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Digital Products (Self-serve E-commerce): Individual digital and physical products sold through the company's own e-commerce storefront. Includes the SYNC Digital Planner, Play Together Lab bundles (binder, digital, or combined), Back Pocket Games book, and 15+ individual expert interview courses. One-time purchase model with perpetual access.
2. Workshops & Professional Development: Scheduled workshops delivered via Zoom or in-person, ranging from 2-hour sessions (C$75) to multi-part series (C$500). Topics include Classroom Management, Parent Care Mastery, CORE Systems Framework, Transform Workplace Dynamics, and more. All workshops are Level 3 Alberta PD Funding and Time Release Grant eligible.
3. On-Demand Courses & Conference Bundles: Pre-recorded interview-style courses sold individually (C$25 each) or as curated bundles (C$79–C$197). The Enrich & Inspire Conference provides lifetime access to 15 interview-style sessions with guest experts. Additional bundles cover leadership, classroom management, and child development topics.
4. Small Group and 1:1 Coaching: Coaching services offered to directors, owners, and program leaders. Includes support calls, community of support and accountability building. Entry point includes a free 20-minute Financial Snapshot call. Coaching is available via discovery call booking.
5. Business Consulting: Consulting services available for centre operations, financial structure, and enrollment optimization. Contact-form-based engagement with pricing not publicly disclosed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Childcare By Design Coaching Inc. provides coaching, professional development training, and digital operations tools for childcare leaders and early childhood educators. Its core products include the SYNC by Design Childcare Planner (a GoodNotes-compatible iPad digital planning and operations system), the Play Together Lab™ 16-week leadership curriculum, the Back Pocket Games activity resource, an Alberta Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop catalog, on-demand expert interview courses, and 1:1 and small-group coaching services. The company serves childcare directors, owners, administrators, and after-school program leaders, primarily in Alberta, Canada.

Product overview

Childcare by Design Coaching Inc. is a professional development company offering a platform of coaching, training, and resource products for early childhood educators, directors, and childcare business owners. The core product portfolio includes the SYNC by Design Childcare Planner (digital operations system), Play Together Lab™ (16-week leadership curriculum), and Back Pocket Games (activity resource), which can be purchased individually or as bundled packages. Beyond digital products, the company offers an extensive workshop catalog covering topics like classroom management, workplace dynamics, and parent care, as well as individual expert interview courses available through the Enrich & Inspire Conference. The CORE Systems Framework provides a comprehensive operations framework, while coaching services and the free Financial Snapshot consultation support ongoing professional development. All workshops are Level 3 PD Funding Approved under the Alberta Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SYNC by Design: Digital planning and operations system for childcare programs, including the SYNC Digital Planner.
• Play Together Lab™
• Back Pocket Games
• CORE Systems Framework

Products and services

• SYNC by Design Childcare Planner A fully hyperlinked digital planning and operations system for childcare programs, combining programming/curriculum planning (observation-based, hourly, and play centre versions), child information records (allergy tracking, medical info, alternate pick-up), audits & inventory management, and compliance & risk management tools (opening/closing inspections, playground inspections, cleaning schedules, wellness logs). Built for iPad with GoodNotes compatibility, Apple Pencil support, searchable handwritten notes, and editable templates.
• Play Together Lab™ A 16-week structured leadership curriculum for school-age programs that teaches children conflict resolution and play skills using the proprietary Repair & Reset framework, reducing adult mediation and increasing student autonomy. Includes 20–30 minute play-based lessons, shared adult coaching language, staff reflection tools, and a leadership progression arc. Available in binder, digital, or combined formats.
• Back Pocket Games A 100+ page coil-bound, half-binder-sized activity book containing plug-and-play games for school-age programs, including high-energy group games, cooperative challenges, transition fillers, quick reset activities, relays, and races. Designed to require minimal prep and no equipment.
• CORE Systems Framework Workshop A 12-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$500 per person) covering staff culture, parent care, enrollment, finances, quality assurance, and legacy building under the proprietary CORE Systems Framework (Care, Organization, Revenue, Excellence). Includes the CORE Systems Diagnostic, pillar-by-pillar training, implementation tools, reflection prompts, action planning, leadership scripts, templates, and 90-day planning support.
• The Classroom Management Secret Workshop A 3.75-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$76.25 per person) for school-age programs teaching the secret to transforming classrooms into joyful, self-sufficient spaces through 45 actionable strategies and management techniques. Available via Zoom or in-person.
• Parent Care Mastery Workshop A 4-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$125 per person) equipping childcare leaders with rhythms, tools, and mindset for exceptional parent care, including building trust, leading productive parent meetings, and handling difficult conversations.
• Transform Workplace Dynamics Workshop A 3.5-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$90 per person) teaching leaders to eliminate ego-driven behaviors, embrace reality-based leadership, and foster accountability and collaboration for a drama-free workplace.
• Mastering the Habits of an Effective Director Workshop A 6-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$300 per person) equipping directors with essential habits for successful leadership, focusing on decision-making, management, strategic thinking, and communication skills.
• Efficiency Essentials for Directors Workshop A 4-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$120 per person) providing childcare administrators with tools for time management, delegation, crisis management, digital tools, and documentation best practices to operate efficiently and reduce burnout.
• Building a Culture of Gratitude Workshop A 2.5-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$75 per person) teaching practical strategies for expressing appreciation, building stronger relationships, and increasing productivity through gratitude practices.
• Communication in the Classroom Workshop A 2.5-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$75 per person) equipping educators with practical strategies for fostering clear, consistent, and constructive communication with colleagues.
• Creating a Culture of Resilience Workshop A 2-hour Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$75 per person) focused on fostering adaptability, perseverance, and growth mindset in the face of challenges, including classroom observations and feedback techniques.
• Roles & Responsibilities Reboot Workshop A Level 3 PD Funding–approved workshop (C$75 per person, 2-hour format) focused on clarifying roles and responsibilities to reduce work duplication, strengthen team decision-making competence, and establish clear support structures.
• Enrich & Inspire Conference A virtual conference (C$197) offering 15 interview-style keynotes from industry experts with actionable insights on overcoming challenges, classroom management, leadership development, and professional growth. Includes PDF handouts and lifetime access to on-demand workshops and conference material.
• Gratitude: The Key to a Better Culture (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Jennifer Bulmer teaching intentional gratitude as a skill that builds emotional connection, creates supportive team dynamics, and fosters resiliency in childcare programs. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Creating Programs for Tweens (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Brenda Jones focused on understanding the unique needs of children ages 9–12 and developing appropriate programs that meet their developmental needs. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Know Your Brain, Up Your Game (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Jacquie Stephens and Leanne Pottinger exploring how brain science applies to workplace interactions, self-awareness, and creating positive environments. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Stress is Part of the Job (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Jennifer Bulmer exploring the myth that all stress is bad, providing practical strategies and mindset tools to help educators, directors, and owners handle stress professionally. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Boys: Change the Classroom, Not the Child (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Daniel Hodgins teaching techniques to support different learning styles of boys and girls while nurturing bonding and attachment. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Child Originated Programming (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Shawna Hindson and Maggie Powter exploring child-originated, inquiry-based programming versus teacher-led approaches and identifying authentic group interests. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Heartfulness: What Empathy Looks Like in the Classroom (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Alex Shellhammer Bernath exploring the Heartfulness Curriculum's 9 domains of growth with focus on empathy development in early learners. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Conflict Resolutions & Peer Mediation (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Dr. Gale Gorke teaching skills to build teams, solve problems, and resolve conflicts through seeking win-win solutions. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Becoming the Master of Your Time (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Chanie Wilschanski teaching time mastery skills including tracking time, creating theme days, and time blocks for school leaders. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Decision Making with Confidence (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Chanie Wilschanski teaching practical ways to build confidence and decision-making skills for childcare leaders. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Community is Everywhere! (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Cara Milne exploring the value of community and connection, providing practical ideas for helping children connect with their communities. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Supporting Students with Diagnosed or Suspected FASD (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Danna Ormstrup (Executive Director, Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network) introducing FASD and its impacts and teaching evidence-based approaches for supporting students in the classroom. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• BullyProof Yourself & Your Kids (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Brenda Miller teaching bully basics, tactics, and BullyProof strategies for recognizing and defeating bullying behavior. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• From Chaos to Calm in the Classroom (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Brenda Miller on practical application of restorative justice strategies for achieving 'right now relief' in upsets and helping kids develop self-regulation. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Becoming the Supervisor & Owning Your Role (Expert Interview Course) An expert interview course (C$25) by Gigi Schweikert (CEO of Lightbridge Academy) based on the Winning Ways series, exploring topics that encourage and equip leaders transitioning from classroom to supervisory roles. One-time purchase with lifetime access.
• Financial Snapshot A free 20-minute consultation reviewing key financial indicators of childcare programs, including enrollment vs. licensed capacity, staffing structure, and revenue per child. Positioned as a practical review session with an experienced childcare business coach rather than a sales pitch, used as a low-friction entry point into coaching relationships.
• Professional Development Coaching One-on-one and small group coaching services for childcare professionals at all career stages, focusing on soft skills, professional growth, culture, and communication. Includes support calls, community building, and accountability structures, accessed via discovery call booking.
• Onsite Presentations Customized staff development days delivered onsite at childcare centres, with material tailored to help childcare teams continue leveling up their skills and practices. Contact-form-based booking; pricing not publicly disclosed.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced adult mediation in school-age programs after Play Together Lab implementation — children learn to resolve conflicts independently
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CCC (Canadian Childcare)minorOthersChildcare by Design operates in partnership with CCC (cc94.com). The partnership is listed in the website footer. Nature of partnership appears to be organizational alignment or referral relationship within the Canadian childcare ecosystem.
• Alberta Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program (Government)coreOthersChildcare by Design is 1 of only 11 approved independent organizations certified to deliver professional development and release-time funding eligible workshops under this provincial government program. This approved status enables Alberta childcare centres to access company training at government-subsidized rates.
• Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network (CFAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanna Ormstrup, featured speaker and course instructor for the FASD support course, serves as Executive Director of the Calgary Fetal Alcohol Network (CFAN). CFAN works to create an FASD-informed community of practice and build an integrated system of support for individuals and families impacted by FASD in the Calgary region.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• HiMama: Childcare management app focused on daily reports, parent communication, and educator tools. Adjacent to Childcare by Design's director-facing operations tooling (SYNC Planner), but oriented to parent comms and software rather than leadership coaching.
• Brightwheel: Childcare management platform combining billing, attendance, and parent communication with a growing professional development marketplace. Adjacent competitor that increasingly encroaches on the same centre-director buyer persona.

Direct peers

• ProSolutions Training: Online professional development and training courses for childcare providers, including state-approved continuing education. Competes head-on with Childcare by Design's on-demand course catalog and bundle offerings.
• Canadian Childcare (CCC / cc94): Canadian childcare industry organization already listed as a partnership/affiliation on Childcare by Design's website. Overlaps as a domestic peer serving the same Canadian childcare leader audience with professional and operational resources.
• Care Courses: Distance-learning school delivering self-paced childcare and early childhood training approved for licensing and professional development hours. Closely comparable product model (online PD modules and certificates) for the same ECE audience.
• ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI): Online professional development and credentialing provider for early childhood educators, offering CDA preparation and state-approved training. Direct overlap with Childcare by Design's workshops and on-demand courses for ECE professionals.

Broad incumbents

• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): The largest professional membership association for early childhood educators in the US, offering professional learning, accreditation, and publications. Overlaps with Childcare by Design's professional-development and leadership-coaching offerings, but as a much broader organization.
• Teaching Strategies: Major early childhood curriculum and assessment provider offering The Creative Curriculum and accompanying professional development for educators. Comparable in targeting ECE directors and owners with integrated curriculum plus PD, but at a much larger scale.

Regional players

• Wonderschool: US-based childcare marketplace and software platform serving centre operators with back-office and licensing tools. Comparable in serving childcare owners and operators with operational support, but primarily in the US rather than Canada.

Others

• Council for Professional Recognition (CDA Council): Credentialing body for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which functions as a foundational step in many ECE careers. Adjacent enabler of the same professional-development ecosystem Childcare by Design serves.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ccbydesigncoaching
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/childcare-by-design-coaching-inc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Childcare By Design Coaching Inc.