CONNECTIONS
NATURE PLAY
Connections Nature Play, Diamond Valley’s Forest School for children age 3 to 6, is designed to cultivate connections with the land, culture, others and self.
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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 approach.
Families whose children attend 50 or more hours per month are eligible for financial assistance through the Affordability Grant under the Federal-Provincial Child Care Agreement.
This episode of the local “Valley Vibes” Podcast offers a dive into our program philosophy and child care approach used by our Educators.
Why Forest School?
Current academic research into the benefits of nature play shows that regular, unstructured and self-directed play in nature supports children in developing improved physical health, mental and emotional wellness and self-esteem, as well as lowered stress levels and a reduction of symptoms associated with ADD, ADHD and anxiety.
Spending time in nature, with repeat visits to the same natural areas, allows children opportunities to build self-confidence, emotional regulation skills, motivation and concentration, as well as develop their positive self-image and ecological literacy and connections with the land and the cultures that have been stewarding this land since time immemorial, and continue to do so today, while sharing their knowledge with us.
Check out: Principles of Forest and Nature Schools.
We offer:
- FREE parented trial days for new families to check out our program
- Outdoor play-based and curiosity-driven experiences
- 1:5 ratios to support adventurous outdoor play
- Attentive and supportive guidance from certified Early Childhood Educators and trained Forest & Nature School Practitioners
- Core Hours and Extended Hours options
- Small groups – max of 10/day
- Governmental child care subsidies available for
50+ hours/month
Book Your Free Trial Day!
Experiencing a free day of nature play with us is a great way to check out our program and decide whether or not it’s a good fit for your child and family. Book your free, parented trial day by email, preferably with at least two business days’ notice so we can confirm availability. The whole family is welcome to attend, as long as at least one child in the family is age 2.5-6. No paperwork, and no obligation. Parents or guardians must remain with the group throughout the day. Come and check us out!
Email natureschool@dvslc.ca to book your free day!
2025/2026 Program Fees
Under the Federal-Provincial Child Care Agreement, as of April 1, 2025 families enrolling their child in a licensed child care program for 50 or more hours per month will pay a flat and predictable monthly parent fees of $230 for 50-99 hours per month and $326.25 for 100+ hours per month. Regular rates will apply for enrollment under 50 hours per month, as these enrollment options are not eligible for governmental assistance.
Monthly Rates for Core Hours (9:30am to 2:30pm)
1 day/week: $225/month
2 days/week: $450/month
3 days/week: $230/month*
4 days/week: $230/month*
5 days/week: $326.25/month**
Monthly Rates for Extended Hours (9:00am to 3:30pm)
1 day/week: $255/month
2 days/week: $230/month*
3 days/week: $230/month*
4 days/week: $326.25/month**
5 days/week: $326.25/month**
The following fees have been determined by the government:
* Flat rate monthly parent fee for 50-99 hours per month
** Flat rate monthly parent fee for 100+ hours per month
Registration for the 2026-2027 year will start in January, 2026.
An annual registration fee of $60 applies to each family. This fee entitles each family to register any/all of their children for that program year. Registered families are also added to the Diamond Valley Sustainable Living Centre email list so that they receive invitations to all DVSLC events at Valley Makerspace and in the community.
Payment of monthly fees may be sent via e-transfer to:
dvslc.treasurer@gmail.com
Drop-In Child Care
We welcome drop-ins while capacity allows.
First Timer Promotion! Your child’s first drop-in day is only $39!
Regular Daily Drop-In Rate: $65/day (9:00am to 3:30pm)
Discounted Rate for Pre-Booked Drop-In Days: $60/day (9:00am to 3:30pm) Please read the fine print… Families who pre-book 2-3 drop-in days per month are eligible for a discounted drop-in rate of $60 per day. To be eligible for the discounted rate, please complete the online registration (select Only Drop-In for the applicable days of the week), then email request with specific dates to natureschool@dvslc.ca by the last business day of the previous month. Drop-in days will be confirmed and invoice sent out for payment at the start of the month.
Children must be 3-6 years old, able to use the toilet independently, and not yet in grade 1 to attend. Parents are welcome to tag along for part or all of the child’s first day if desired. Please note that governmental financial assistance programs do not apply for drop-ins.
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.
Katie Bakken
Katie has been working with children of all ages in a variety of settings, including schools, provincial parks, summer camps for over 30 years. Parenting has allowed her to discover the joy of fostering children’s natural curiosity in the great outdoors. In addition to being a Certified Teacher, Katie is also certified as a Forest and Nature School Practitioner and Level 3 Early Childhood Educator.
Sydney Beck
Sydney grew up on a cattle farm close to our community and has always been passionate about working with children! After having recently moved back to the area, Sydney is excited to plant roots in the community and connect to the natural beauty of Diamond Valley. In her free time, Sydney enjoys baking and making homemade tea. Sydney brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and experiences with neurodiversity and is currently working toward her Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification.
Tanya Allen
Tanya is a passionate educator who has worked with children in a variety of settings, including classrooms and the great outdoors, over the past 8 years. She loves exploring nature in her own backyard of Diamond Valley and instilling that love of nature in her own child. She can be found down by the river, creating art, or reading a book out in the sun. Tanya has achieved her Level 2 Early Childhood Educator certification.
Maddie Quarrell
Maddie has been working with children for over three years and is a proud Level 3 Early Childhood Educator. In her role with Max Early Childhood Services, Maddie has joined Connections Nature Play where she loves creating fun, caring, and exciting spaces where children can explore, learn, and be themselves. When she’s not working with children, you can find Maddie horseback riding in the backcountry, spending time with her family and friends, or snuggled up with her two sweet dogs, Annie and Lily!
Anna Brown
Anna is ecstatic to be working with children within the context of exploration and discovery in nature. She is passionate about building connections with children and their families. She is a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator, and also works as a NICU nurse. When she’s not working she enjoys crocheting, baking, gardening, snowshoeing and skiing, and doing puzzles with her kitty cat.
Anna is currently on maternity leave, but will be back for the 2027/2028 program year!
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 outdoors with the children, 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. Check out our Parent Handbook to learn how weather affects our program.
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Thank you, Foothills Energy Co-op!
We are so grateful for the financial support provided by Foothills Energy Co-op to help us get established.
Now, in our third year, we are able to help support the Diamond Valley Coffeetime and Playgroup where we get to pop in occasionally to engage the families with fun loose parts play!
We’d love to hear from you!
Call or text us at 403-498-4939 to inquire! Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
Or email us anytime at: natureschool@dvslc.ca
Or complete the contact form below.
