Kids Start Smart

Busy Woman Trying to Work While Babysitting Two Kids

Looking for quality childcare?

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Let us help you with your needs.

So you can focus on your WORK, and your little ones can focus on their PLAY.

Affordability Grant and Subsidy Available.

Kids Start Smart is a fun, caring, and safe place for children, where they can laugh, learn, and lead.

We collaborate with

Child Development Dayhomes

to ensure that every parent can rest easy knowing that their children are in good hands.

The Kids Start Smart Vision

We envision ourselves to be a premier dayhome provider where:

we provide high-quality childcare for children ages 1 to 6 years old;
we give a focused commitment to the development and success of all children in preparation for school and beyond;
children are healthy, engaged, supported, and challenged in a safe and caring environment;
children's multiple intelligence, 21st-century skills, character, and leadership are developed early on; and,
play and learning activities are child-led, developmentally appropriate, meaningful, interest-based, and integrated with values.

Happy Child Playing Outdoor in Sunflower Field

Our Philosophy

"A whole child is a happy child."

At Kids Start Smart, we focus on the whole child, their long-term development, and success in their future.

Our Philosophy

We are committed to delivering a quality childcare program based on children's interests, strengths, needs, and lived realities.

Emergent-inspired curriculum is embedded in our programs.

We adhere to the following principles:

Our daily programming is based on children's interests.
We ensure that each child can express their individual strengths.
We support each child's unique learning needs.
We celebrate children's diversity and individual differences.
Play is at the center of our curriculum.
A child's learning experience is an extension of their family life.

Our Beliefs

Kids Start Smart believes that children can thrive and be prepared for the future by supporting the following educational beliefs and programs:

Play-based Learning
Practical Life Skills
Exploring Nature
Socio-Emotional Development
Music and Movement
Language and Literacy Development

Play-based Learning

Children learn by playing. Play assists children in developing social and cognitive skills, as well as, gaining confidence to engage in new experiences and environments.

Practical Life Skills

Practical life skills are those that we use on a daily basis. It instills in children a sense of independence, self-esteem, and order. Caring for oneself and caring for one's environment are examples of practical life activities.

Exploring Nature

Children learn a lot when they interact with their natural environment. They learn by doing experiments. They think, question, and form hypotheses in nature. Exploring nature helps develop their inquisitive minds.

Socio-Emotional Development

Children who have a positive self-concept and self-esteem exhibit happiness, contentment, and calmness. They are also more resilient and responding positively to everyday stress.

Music and Movement

Music and movement stimulate the brains of children. Music teaches them sounds, words, and patterns. When they move and dance, they can explore and control their body movements. These activities promote brain development.

Language and Literacy

Language development and literacy are important aspects of any child's overall development. It promotes the child's ability to communicate, express, and comprehend emotions.

Our Framework

Kids Start Smart upholds the belief that children are born smart.

They are naturally curious, eager to explore their environment, and capable of discovery.

Thus, we put each child at the center of our curricular framework and the S.M.A.R.T. principles serve as our guide in teaching and caring for the children in our program.

Strengthening skills and knowledge with the whole child in mind

Teachers facilitate the learning process.

Motivating children's curiosity using purposeful play.

Reconstructing knowledge from prior experience and new learning.

Authentic learning through communication, collaboration, and cooperation.

Our Learning Levels

Infant

for children 12 to 15 months

Shy or anxious with strangers
Enjoys imitating people
Pulls himself up to stand
Walks holding onto furniture
Explores objects in different ways

Toddler

for children 16 to 36 months

Begins to run
Stands on tiptoe
Imitates others' behavior
Finds objects even when they are hidden
Sorts by shape and color

Preschool

for children 3 to 4 years old

Walks up and down stairs, alternating feet
Runs easily
Shows affection for familiar playmates
Takes turn in games
Matches an object in hand to picture

Kindergarten

for children 4 to 5 years old

Asks for help when needed
Engages in group play
Draws recognizable people
Can count and name letters
Can balance on one foot
Cuts with scissors
Likes to do dramatic play

Meet the Educator

Maria Guadarrama

Early Childhood Educator

"Meet Maria Guadarrama, a dedicated educator with a passion for childcare. In 2016, she moved to Calgary and became a certified Child Development Supervisor and trained first responder, enthusiastically taking on new challenges.

As a Childcare Director, Maria uses her creativity to create fun and engaging programs for kids. Inspired by her love for early childhood education, she founded Kids Start Smart Inc., an in-home daycare that shows what hard work and determination can achieve.

Maria's journey is a reminder that with faith and determination, we can turn our dreams into reality. Her story inspires us to keep going, one step at a time."

"Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." - Rita Pierson

What They Say About Us