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.
We spend most of our time outdoors with the children, and also have a fully-equipped indoor play space with washrooms where we play and learn 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.
Follow us on our socials!
Connections Nature Play 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.
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.
We welcome Free Parented Days on Mondays in April and May 2026 (excluding Monday, April 6 and Monday, May 18).
Book your free, parented trial day by email 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 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: $240/month
2 days/week: $480/month
3 days/week: $230/month*
4 days/week: $230/month*
5 days/week: $326.25/month**
The following fees have been determined by the government:
** Full-time (100+ hours per month): Parent fees of $326.25/month, calculated by subtracting Affordability Grant funding of $1,079.85 from the $1,406.10 full-time monthly rate set by the government. In our program, five-day per week enrolment options qualify for full-time.
* Part-time (50-99 hours per month): Parent fees of $230.00/month, calculated by subtracting Affordability Grant Funding of $683.96 from the $913.96 part-time monthly rate set by the government. In our program, three- and four-day per week enrolment options qualify for part-time.
Enrolment options totaling less than 50 hours per month do not quality for Affordability Grant funding. In our program, one- and two-day per week enrolment options do not reliably meet the 50-hour minimum.
There are no fee adjustments for statutory holidays, missed days due to illness, PD days or closures. Fees are based on registered hours and Affordability Grant funding can be reduced or revoked by the government if attendance does not meet minimum thresholds over a period of time.
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
Before co-founding Connections Nature Play, Kirsti ran a successful dayhome in Diamond Valley 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 Level 2 Early Childhood Educator.
Katie Bakken
Before co-founding Connections Nature Play, Katie worked with children of all ages in schools, provincial parks and summer camps for over 30 years. Parenting has allowed her to discover the joy of following 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 has achieved 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 in Diamond Valley and instilling a 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 and brings years of experience working in schools to Connections Nature Play.
Michelle Thurber
Michelle grew up in the small town of Claresholm where she enjoyed babysitting all through high school. Michelle then launched her career in child care by earning an Associate Degree in Professional Preschool Education in Idaho and achieving Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification in Alberta. She combined her love of children and teeth by working in the fields of dental care and child care for the past 20 years while raising her family in beautiful Diamond Valley. She is married to an outdoorsman, has 3 children, 2 dogs, loves to go on early morning walks and sew quilts. Michelle is thrilled to be joining the Connections Nature Play team!
Nakira Day Chief
Nakira grew up on the Blood Tribe and now resides in the Bearspaw Nation of Eden Valley with her two children and partner. She has always been passionate about working with children of all ages and is excited to jump into her new career in child care. Nakira joined us for her practicum placement while working toward her Level 2 ECE certification, and now works with us as an Educational Assistant with MaxECS where he enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills. When she isn’t at work, you could find her outside with her family, either playing tag, looking for rocks by the water or in the bushes picking berries, teaching her children about the land.
Laura Steed
As we encourage our staff and our registered children to stay home when sick, we are super grateful that Laura has joined the team, providing casual coverage in the event of staff absence. Laura’s joy for learning and playing with children bloomed while working in orphanages, child care facilities, summer camps and having three children of her own. She has achieved Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification and has been working in child care settings since 2013. Laura enjoys writing poetry, decluttering, baking, hiking, caring for her pets and spending time with her family.
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!
- Edit Column
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.
