Are you exploring early education and child care options for your child in the Tamarack neighbourhood? Our Kids & Company Edmonton Tamarack centre is located near the intersection of 17 Street and Tamarack Way NW, easily accessible via Anthony Henday Drive or Whitemud Drive NW. Our centre can accommodate up to 100 children ranging from infant to 5 years. Our classrooms are bright and sunny with huge windows looking into our learning spaces. Our large playground is right outside of our doors so that we can enjoy unstructured play and the great outdoors year-round.
At Kids & Company, we use an emergent curriculum and learn through play philosophy. We’re very proud of our proprietary programs! They include Alpha-Mania (pre-literacy and early reading), Mini Masters (art), and Munchkinetics (movement) and are designed to engage our children in a learning process that encourages self-expression, creativity, coordination and most importantly, fun! We often hear children singing the Alpha-Mania theme song before the teacher even begins the lessons, a clear indication of their enthusiasm about learning through play. You’ll find sign language in our baby and toddler rooms, and all our children participate in music, French, science & exploration and creative play throughout our day.
More than just daycare, we offer flexible child care and early education to help families achieve a greater work-life balance.
STREAM PRESCHOOL Our Tamarack location offers the STREAM preschool program (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math). In addition to our core pillars, the STREAM preschool program features: an emphasis on STEM learning, a Montessori approach including observations of the child, individual liberties and preparation of the environment, and elements from Kids & Company standard curriculum including Mini Masters (artistry), Alpha-Mania (early literacy) and Munchkinetics programming (movement). Children suited for the program are those with curiosity about numbers, how things work, mechanics and construction, and a sense of independence and self-direction. Please click here to find out more!
There is free parking in the lot out front of the building. Centre Entrance is located on the left side of the building, next to the outdoor play space.
Meet the Director
I am Claudia Gordon, the Centre Director of Kids & Company Tamarack. I have a diploma in Early Childhood Education. I have been working in child care for 30 years, and I have been working with Kids & Company since 2016. I have always wanted to work in child care because I am passionate about teaching and making a difference in young children’s lives. In my spare time, I enjoy crocheting, cooking and baking. I love trying new recipes of my own. My favourite thing about the Kids & Company Tamarack location is that we have a strong team connection with so many long-term staff members and families who have continuously supported each other and created a family-like atmosphere. What makes our centre unique is we service 5 schools in the area with transportation to and from school as part of our school age program. We also offer a school age camp in the summertime where children experience many new fun and exciting activities. Kids & Company has provided me with the perfect opportunity to grow and learn as an educator to better serve my students. I pride myself in providing all my children with the very best child care experience and a lifetime of wonderful memories. Now that you know a little more about me, I hope to see you and your family soon!
At Kids & Company, we work with your family to ensure that the transition is a smooth one. Before your child’s first day, we’ll provide information on what to expect. We’ll create an integration schedule that is right for your child and every day that your child is in the classroom, you’ll receive a daily report that lets you know how your child’s day was. You’ll also be able to see him or her on our in classroom web cameras. The Centre Director will even send you an email before the end of the day if your child has a special “wow” moment that day.
Toddlers learn best in the context of relationships within small groups. There are fewer distractions and children’s activities are more focused. In Kids & Company toddler classrooms, our small groups allow very young children to make connections, form caring relationships, and learn to understand other children.
All two-year-olds examine everything they see, hear, feel and observe in an attempt to make sense of the world around them. In our preschool programs, Kids & Company teachers interact, observe and interpret the interests of preschool students to encourage further discoveries by planning activities and investigations that expand your child’s learning.
Kids & Company runs comprehensive kindergarten programs designed for children who are 4 or 5 years old (junior and senior kindergarten age) to prepare them for Grade 1. Using emergent curriculum techniques to adapt to the children’s’ interests and skills, we set a foundation of early literacy, numeracy, artistry, and the construction of relationships and ideas. Kindergarten programs are integrated into full-time child care to provide convenience and continuity.
The backbone of curriculum at Kids & Company is an emergent or cue-based approach that allows students to lead their own discoveries and learning. Emergent curriculum is a modern education philosophy that moves away from pre-set daily lesson plans in exchange for facilitating learning opportunities in thoughtful ways as children’s interests and skills are observed. It is the leading method for early childhood development in North America. Educators must be well-trained to identify interests and build appropriate invitations to learn about the world through experimentation, art, imaginary play, music, literature, movement and more. Gently guiding with probing questions and encouraging the pursuit of ideas, teachers cover age-appropriate concepts in ways that spark curiosity and excitement in a child.
