Early childhood development is crucial for a child’s future success, well-being, and social integration. In Edmonton, this is a priority, with many excellent early learning centres dedicated to helping children gain foundational knowledge, skills, and support during a critical period of their lives. In this article on edmonton1.one, we’ll highlight some of the top early development centres in the city.
Kids Fort Child
Preparing for school is a significant milestone for children, helping them smoothly transition into their educational journey. Kids Fort Child isn’t just a learning centre; they understand that children thrive through play and learn best when engaged in fun activities. The centre believes that fostering social and emotional well-being is paramount, even more so than just skill development. Therefore, their focus is squarely on emotional and social growth.
This centre offers nutritious, healthy meals, boasts highly qualified educators, features engaging multicultural programs, provides exciting games and entertainment for the little ones, and has expansive play areas. Spanning 4800 square feet, it’s the largest children’s centre in Fort Saskatchewan.
Kids Fort Child ensures all children’s educational and developmental needs are met through various daily activities. The centre guarantees that every child receives proper nurturing to succeed, recognizing that each little one develops at their own pace.
Address: 2845 Mill Woods Rd NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6K 4A9, Canada
Kepler Academy
Kepler Academy is an incredibly ambitious project, living up to its name – Kepler is synonymous with discovery, from NASA’s Kepler Telescope to Johannes Kepler, who uncovered the laws of planetary motion. “Kepler” signifies grand achievements. Kepler Academy applies this ambitious approach to children’s education and upbringing, striving for children to reach for the stars, explore new heights, and become trailblazers.
Since its inception, the centre’s success has been built on its reputation as a reliable and consistent provider of childcare services. Kepler Academy has become a vital resource for families in the city, with the team continuously working to deliver the highest level of care.
The centre operates with a strong set of values. Firstly, they believe all children are born explorers. Their exploratory education blends learning through play with a structured curriculum. This curriculum focuses on critical thinking skills and the ability to make spontaneous decisions, solve problems, and draw conclusions from their experiences. Kepler Academy also prioritizes active extracurricular activities as a crucial part of the learning process. You can find more details about all their programs on their website.
The centre’s curriculum is built upon eight pillars: early literacy; mathematics and manipulative skills; self-discovery and community development; senses and environment; personal and social skills; physical play and well-being; and creative play and the evolving world.
Secondly, Kepler Academy consistently invests in design and furnishings to create a calming and bright atmosphere. Every element within the interior serves a specific purpose.
Kepler Academy hires only the most qualified, dedicated, and talented professionals. Another crucial aspect is nutrition, with the centre’s menu plans developed by a specialized dietitian.
There are several Kepler Academy locations throughout Edmonton. You can find all addresses on the centre’s official website.
JumpStart
JumpStart is another network of early childhood development centres in Edmonton. With three locations across the city, you can explore each one to find the best fit for your family. Notably, the centre offers transfer services from any location.
JumpStart learning centres feature specialized programs designed for various age groups. Children engage in plenty of movement and interaction, which helps them develop essential social skills. The centre believes that a fun and engaging environment can foster a genuine enthusiasm for learning.
All activities are carefully supervised; children aren’t just given free playtime, as every game has a specific learning objective.
Each student undergoes an assessment to determine their individualized learning program. Throughout the year, children receive three progress reports, allowing parents to actively monitor their child’s development.
The introductory program, “Discovery,” is designed for children aged 2-3 years. This program focuses on developing fine motor skills, literacy, and basic math concepts. In this group, children attend with a parent or guardian, ensuring a structured and safe learning environment while also allowing parents to connect and socialize with other children and families.
The “Scholars” program is a more comprehensive option for older children, aged 4-5 years. In this program, children continue to develop their skills through reading and writing under the guidance of an educator.
The centre also offers summer programs for children aged 3 to 6, including “Math Wizards,” “Earth Rangers,” “Prehistoric Adventures,” and “Animal Explorers.”
Mathnasium
Mathnasium was founded back in the 1990s by Peter Markovitz and David Ullendorff. They identified a significant gap between the Canadian school curriculum and what children knew after kindergarten. They decided to create a learning centre specifically for mathematics, aiming to teach children to think about and engage with math in a different way.
The centre offers two learning paths: in-class instruction or private tutoring at home. An instructor will craft a personalized learning plan for your child, allowing them to progress comfortably at their own pace.
Before starting, your child undergoes an assessment, and you’re offered a free trial session. Generally, Mathnasium’s services include tutoring, exam preparation, and homework help.
Knowing that math can sometimes be challenging, instructors simplify concepts to make them understandable for everyone. This is achieved through the unique Mathnasium Method, developed over 40 years ago by educator Larry Martinek.
Their year-round program has flexible attendance requirements, and you can start at any point throughout the year. It’s important to note that the centre works with children for only a few hours a day.
With its focused approach on a single subject, Mathnasium is a truly unique and impactful project. It’s safe to say this centre is one of Edmonton’s finest.
Fundamentals First
Fundamentals First is a learning centre founded by Tanu Pander. Opening this centre was a lifelong dream for her, which speaks volumes about the level of education and care provided here.
Fundamentals First focuses on teaching mathematics, science, and English. The team of educators is comprised of college students working towards their degrees, which adds a fresh and relatable dynamic for the children. Having younger, “cooler” instructors can make learning more comfortable and engaging for students.
The centre emphasizes the foundational principles of each discipline, believing that this comprehensive approach better prepares students to tackle complex questions. They also offer summer courses for children.
Beyond helping children prepare for the next academic year, the centre also provides homework assistance and exam preparation support.