CONNECTIONS
NATURE PLAY
Connections Nature Play is the Diamond Valley Sustainable Living Centre’s nature-based child care and education program for children aged 3 to 6.
Our program is licensed under the Province of Alberta’s Early Learning and Child Care Act and follows the Child Nature Alliance of Canada’s Forest & Nature School model.
As a Licensed child care program, families whose children are enrolled in Connections Nature Play may be eligible for the Affordability Grant and the Child Care Subsidy Federal-Provincial Child Care Agreement.
Connections Nature Play provides opportunities for children to build their social-emotional, physical, intellectual and creative well-being through outdoor adventure-based and inquiry-driven play. Our program aims to cultivate connections with the land, culture, others and self among 3-6-year-old children.
We are now accepting registrations for the 2024/2025 program year, and also welcome drop-ins while space is available. Scroll down to learn about our SPECIAL ‘FIRST DAY’ DROP-IN PROMOTION for new families!
Spending time in nature, with repeat visits to the same natural areas, allows children opportunities to build self-confidence, connections with the land, emotional regulation skills, motivation and concentration, as well as develop their positive self-image and ecological literacy.
Click here to view the Child Nature Alliance of Canada’s Principles of Forest and Nature Schools.
We Offer:
- Outdoor play-based and curiosity-driven experiences
- Attentive and supportive guidance from certified Early Childhood Educators and trained Forest & Nature School Practitioners
- Core hours and extended hours options
- Small groups (1:5 ratio)
- Registration capped at 10 children
- Childcare subsidies to increase affordability
- Parented nature play programs, day camps and other opportunities
2023/2024 Monthly Fees
Monthly Rates for Core Hours (9:00am to 2:30pm)
$225/month for 1 day/week
$450/month for 2 days/week
$675/month for 3 days/week
Monthly Rates for Extended Hours (8:00am to 4:30pm)
$275/month for 1 day/week
$550/month for 2 days/week
$825/month for 3 days/week
In addition to monthly fees, an annual registration fee of $60 applies to each family. This fee entitles each family to register any/all of their children as well as free admission to family-friendly programming throughout the year, such as Jr Maker workshops and seasonal events hosted by the Diamond Valley Sustainable Living Centre.
- Complete and submit registration form, and
- Submit payment via e-transfer for the first month plus annual registration fee must be made via e-transfer to dvslc.treasurer@gmail.com with the following in the memo/notes field:
“Month/Year – Child’s Name – Days/Core or Extended + reg fee”
For example: “Sept/23 – Latisha Cohen – Mon/Wed Core + reg fee”
DROP IN CHILD CARE
While capacity allows, we welcome drop-ins!
Core Hours Drop-In Rate: $60/day
Extended Hours Drop-In Rate: $70/day
SPECIAL ‘FIRST DAY’ PROMOTION: Trial Drop-In Day $30 per child (9:30am to 2:30pm or 8:30 to 4:00pm, whichever best suits child and family) – this rate applies only to each child’s first drop-in day, after which the above rates would apply.
OUR EDUCATORS
Kirsti Sarrazin
Kirsti has been providing childcare at her dayhome in the Diamond Valley for the past 7 years and prior to that, enjoyed a decade-long career in fisheries. She loves being outside and sharing the wonder of nature with all children including her own. Kirsti is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner and is working towards her Level 2 Early Childhood Educator certification.
Michelle Robertson
Michelle has spent the last 3 decades educating herself and working with children of various ages in various roles. She is a certified counselor and trauma therapist and is on track to achieve her Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification. Michelle is passionate about children and their healthy development.
New Full-Time Educator
We have recently hired a Level 3 Early Childhood Educator to work with us full-time for the 2024-2025 school year. She will also be filling the Lead Day Camp Supervisor role over the summer. Click here to learn more about our summer programs!
Photo and bio coming soon!
Katie Bakken
Katie enjoys working with children of all ages in a variety of outdoor settings, including provincial parks, summer camps and more. Parenting has allowed her to discover the joy of fostering children’s natural curiosity in the great outdoors. Katie is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner and has achieved her Level 3 Early Childhood Education certification.
All Connections Nature Play Educators have undergone the Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check process and are First Aid trained. We encourage and support our Educators in working towards Forest and Nature School Practitioner certification through the Child Nature Alliance of Canada.
Although we spend most of our time with the children outdoors, we also have access to washrooms and an indoor play space for when conditions are not conducive to being outdoors all day, such as cold spells, heat waves, extreme air quality and severe weather.
Thank you to the
Turner Valley Legion
for partnering with us
to create a ‘home base’ for Connections
Nature Play
The Turner Valley Legion organizes many seasonal events for local children and families, demonstrating their strong commitment to our community’s youth. Veteran’s Hall and The Backyard have become a wonderful home base for Connections Nature Play, providing both indoor and outdoor play spaces and ample parking for drop-offs and pick-ups, as well as being located close to a variety of public natural spaces in the Town of Diamond Valley.
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Thank you to the
Foothills Energy Coop for financially supporting the establishment of Connections
Nature Play!
We’d love to hear from you!
Call Us: 403-498-6321
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
(excluding Statutory Holidays)
Email: natureschool@dvslc.ca
Anytime!
