Welcome to The Elbow Academy, where learning and laughter come together! We're all about creating meaningful connections among our caring educators, children, and families.
Our Philosophy
We firmly believe that learning happens naturally through play. The main thought behind emergent curriculum philosophy is that children learn not necessarily by what they are taught but learn as a result of their own doing. Whether it's the joyful, high-energy kind or the quiet, immersive variety, we understand that children's play is directly linked to their learning and social growth. Our approach revolves around play that's self-directed, enjoyable, and fueled by internal curiosity, rather than external demands. This type of play not only enriches a child's early years but also equips them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed throughout life's journey.
In our classrooms, we follow an emergent curriculum to learning that allows students to lead their own discoveries. Supplemented by our proprietary programs, which include pre-literacy and reading, artistic expression, and music and movement, children develop independence, confidence and a positive sense of self and the world around them.
Our Mission
As a child care centre in SW Calgary, Our mission is to craft nurturing environments that foster a strong sense of belonging, provide a safe and nourishing space for play and learning, and offer abundant opportunities for each child to reach their full potential.
Our Vision
The ultimate vision we have for our facility is twofold and rooted in both the present and the future. For the present, our goal is for parents to feel good about their childcare choice, knowing that their children are safe, engaged, educated, and smiling. For the future, we want these children to look back at their experience with us and see it as a cherished part of their childhood.
Our Educators
At Elbow Academy, we follow Alberta's licensed childcare educator-to-child ratios to ensure children in our child care centre receive appropriate supervision, care and attention.
Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can receive individual attention while learning and playing. Our educators are qualified to work in licensed childcare in Alberta and meet the required provincial certification and screening requirements.
Our team includes educators with Level 2 and Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certifications, along with First Aid and CPR certification. All educators are also required to complete the appropriate police/child-care sector screening and other licensing requirements before working with children. As a trusted child care in Calgary, we are committed to ongoing professional development.
Child Safety
Pickup and Dropoff
At Elbow Academy, the safety and security of children is our top priority. Parents or authorized caregivers must sign children in and out at drop-off and pick-up. Children will only be released to authorized individuals listed by the parent/guardian. If someone new will be picking up a child, parents must notify the centre in advance and provide the required information. Staff verify the identity of individuals who are unfamiliar to the team before releasing a child. Children remain under staff supervision until safely handed over to an authorized adult.
Illness Policy
At Elbow Academy, we follow Alberta childcare health and safety requirements. Parents are asked to keep their child home when they are unwell or experiencing symptoms that require exclusion from childcare. If a child becomes ill at the centre, we will separate them from the group as appropriate, provide comfort and supervision, and contact the parent/guardian for pick-up.
Parents should notify the centre if their child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness. Children may return when they are well enough to participate comfortably and meet applicable illness/exclusion requirements. Educators also follow appropriate hygiene practices, including regular handwashing, cleaning and sanitizing.
Health Needs
At Elbow Academy, we take each child's health and safety needs seriously. Parents are asked to provide complete and up-to-date health information, including allergies, medical conditions, dietary restrictions, and other special health needs.
- Allergies: Known allergies are documented and communicated to educators, with appropriate precautions taken.
- Medications: Medication is administered only in accordance with centre procedures and required parent/guardian authorization and documentation.
- Health needs: We work closely with families and follow applicable Alberta childcare licensing requirements.
- Emergency situations: Staff follow centre emergency procedures and contact emergency services when necessary.
Brightwheel: Keeping Parents Connected
At Elbow Academy, we use Brightwheel to keep parents connected throughout the day. Parents of children in our childcare centre receive daily updates about their child's activities, including meals and snacks, diapering/toileting, naps, play and learning activities, and outdoor time.
We also share photos and updates throughout the day, so parents can see what their child is learning and enjoying while they are at the centre. Parents can communicate directly with our team through Brightwheel if they have questions or need to share important information about their child.
Frequently Asked Questions
We believe children learn best through play, exploration, and real experience. Our emergent curriculum lets learning grow out of what children are genuinely curious about, with educators shaping the right level of guidance and challenge around it. Infants also benefit from smaller class sizes and a more intimate setting, a philosophy that has helped establish us as a childcare in SW Calgary families return to year after year.
By paying close attention, to how a child plays, what routines suit them, what interests them, and where they're at developmentally, and adjusting from there. That might mean extra support in one area or a bigger challenge in another.
Qualified childcare professionals, including Level 2 and Level 3 ECEs, all trained in First Aid and CPR, screened per provincial requirements, and committed to continuous professional growth. It's this caliber of staff that helps make us the best childcare in Calgary for parents who want peace of mind.
We treat parents as partners, not bystanders. Brightwheel keeps you updated on meals, naps, toileting, play, and outdoor time throughout the day, with photos and direct messaging so you're never left wondering how things are going.
Let us know ahead of time about planned absences, and check with the centre for our current holiday and extended-leave arrangements.
We're open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, giving working families a full day of coverage for drop-off and pickup, one more reason we're a convenient choice for childcare in SW Calgary.
Every family's background, experiences, and interests become part of what we explore together. Because our curriculum is emergent, children's own lived experiences naturally shape what gets learned.
You provide us with up-to-date health information, allergies, conditions, medications, and we document and communicate it across the team. Medication is only given according to centre procedure and your written authorization. We follow Alberta's childcare health requirements throughout: children who need to be excluded due to illness should stay home, and if a child becomes unwell at the centre, we care for them and call you for pickup.
Through everyday observation, how a child plays, learns, and interacts socially. If something stands out, we raise it with you privately and respectfully, and where useful, suggest strategies or a referral to a qualified professional. We don't diagnose, we observe and help connect you to the right resources.
Through ordinary moments, play, relationships, conversation, working through a disagreement, combined with intentional experiences that build independence, self-regulation, and healthy connection with others.
