CONNECTIONS
NATURE PLAY
Welcome to Connections Nature Play, Diamond Valley’s only Forest School!
This episode of the local “Valley Vibes” Podcast offers a dive into our program philosophy and child care approach used by our Educators.
Our program 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 model.
As a licensed child care program, families whose children are enrolled in Connections Nature Play are eligible for financial assistance programs such as the Affordability Grant and the Child Care Subsidy through the Federal-Provincial Child Care Agreement.
Connections Nature Play provides opportunities for children to build their social-emotional, physical, intellectual and creative well-being through outdoor adventure-based and inquiry-driven play. Our program aims to cultivate connections with the land, culture, others and self among 3-6-year-olds supported by attentive Early Childhood Educators at a 1:5 adult:child ratio.
Why Forest School?
Academic research into the benefits of nature play shows that regular, unstructured and self-directed play in nature supports children in developing improved physical, mental and emotional health as well as greater self-esteem, lowered stress levels and milder symptoms related to 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
A free, parented nature play day
is a great way to check out our program!
2024/2025 Program
To meet demand, Connections Nature Play is expanding to five days a week!
Monthly Rates for Core Hours (9:30am to 2:30pm)
$225/month for 1 day/week
$450/month for 2 days/week
$675/month for 3 days/week
$900/month for 4 days/week
$1,125/month for 5 days/week
Monthly Rates for Extended Hours (9:00am to 3:30pm)
$255/month for 1 day/week
$510/month for 2 days/week
$765/month for 3 days/week
$1,020/month for 4 days/week
$1,275/month for 5 days/week
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.
- Complete and submit registration form, and
- Submit payment via e-transfer for the first month plus annual registration fee must be made via e-transfer to dvslc.treasurer@gmail.com with the following in the memo/notes field:
“Month/Year – Child’s Name – Days/Core or Extended + reg fee”
For example: “Sept/23 – Latisha Cohen – Mon/Wed Core + reg fee”
Space is limited limited and registration available only while spaces last. Fees are pro-rated for mid-month registrations.
Book Your Free 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. These free, parented trial days must be requested by email, preferably with at least two business days’ notice so we can confirm availability. The whole family is welcome to attend, as long as at least one child in the family is between the ages of 2-6. There is 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!
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)
NEW Discounted Rate for Pre-Booked Drop-In Days: $60/day (9:00am to 3:30pm)
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 YES for the question about drop in care), 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 at the start of the month for payment.
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
Kirsti has been providing childcare at her dayhome in the Diamond Valley for the past 7 years 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 is working towards her Level 2 Early Childhood Educator certification.
Katie Bakken
Katie has been working with children of all ages in a variety of settings, including schools, provincial parks, summer camps for over 30 years. Parenting has allowed her to discover the joy of fostering 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.
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.
Celine Panetta
Celine has been enjoying working with children in the community over the past decade through volunteering, coaching, and early childhood education. She can often be found at the hockey rink with her boys, outside bike riding
and exploring nature, as well as crafting and jewelry making. Celine is a Certified English and French Teacher and Level 3 Early Childhood Educator.
All Connections Nature Play Educators have undergone the Police Information Check and Vulnerable Sector Check process and are First Aid trained. We encourage and support our Educators in working towards Forest and Nature School Practitioner certification through the Child Nature Alliance of Canada.
Although we spend most of our time outdoors with the children, we also have access to washrooms and an indoor play space for when conditions are not conducive to being outdoors all day, such as cold spells, heat waves, extreme air quality and severe weather.
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Thank you, Foothills Energy Co-op!
Foothills Energy Co-op generously supports Connections Nature Play, as well as our 2024 Sprouts Summer Day Camps and our 2025 public events including Community Campfires and Jr Maker Workshops for ages 2 to 12 – stay tuned for more info!
We’d love to hear from you!
Call or Text Us to Inquire!
403-498-4939
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
Email: natureschool@dvslc.ca
Anytime!
Or complete the contact form below.
