Our Story
Founded in 2013 with a dream to bring children closer to nature, Wee Wild Ones is a group of daycare centres that uses a child guided, inquiry-based approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia style of learning. Our childcare and early childhood education programs promote exploration and learning through play, nature, and movement. At our centres and beyond, we support and uplift our community, champion diversity and inclusivity, and actively work towards greater environmental stewardship.
Our Mission & Values
Own It, Be Brave, and Do it with Love
At Wee Wild Ones, our mission is to nurture every child’s natural curiosity, creativity, and love for learning through play and connection with nature, while ensuring families have access to quality, inclusive childcare.
Own it
We take ownership, act with accountability, and believe growth is our personal responsibility because actions speak louder than words.
Be Brave
We explore boldly, challenge the expected, and embrace diverse ideas knowing that our differences drive innovation and growth.
With Love
We lead with empathy, build connection through kindness, and see mistakes as chances to learn, not judge.
What we believe:
We believe that every child deserves a safe, inspiring space to grow, explore, and thrive, and that every parent deserves the peace of mind that comes with a supportive, caring community.
Curiosity & Potential
Children are naturally curious, capable, and full of potential.
Nature as Teacher
Nature is the perfect classroom, inspiring creativity, resilience, and connection.
The Power of Play
Play is essential to learning, growth, and development.
Belonging & Support
Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported on their unique journey.
Our Method
Wee Wild Ones uses FLIGHT: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework, which provides all teachers with the instructional guidelines necessary for developing age appropriate activities for children.
Our Approach
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia principles, we offer an inquiry-based learning environment that is child-centred.
Our curriculum emerges organically based on children’s questions and interests. Our programs are developed as educators actively listen and observe children in play; this naturally allows inquiry to be the focus of children’s learning.
Observations inspire meaningful experiences, allowing children to explore their ideas and engage with others as educators nurture and guide their learning.
Families served annually
Children enrolled annually each year
Savings to families each year from our services.
Families served annually
Children enrolled annually each year
Savings to families each year from our services.
Nutrition
Our full-vegetarian menu offers varying food choices based on the Canada Food Guide requirements and standards.
Children with allergies or dietary restrictions, such as gluten intolerance, will be given alternative food choices (to the extent that we can accommodate). Milk or water are offered at each meal (infants and toddlers receive homogenized milk, and children three years and up receive 2% milk). Our centres are a nut-free environment.
In addition, popcorn and whole grapes are banned by Alberta Health in childcare facilities as they pose a significant risk of choking. Children are welcome to bring their own food or supplement their meals. We simply ask that families avoid bringing processed and prepackaged foods, and that all outside food is labelled with your child’s name.
Government Notice:
Starting April 1, 2025, the Government of Alberta has implemented a standardized child care fee. This fee does not include the cost of meals. Child care providers may offer additional optional services beyond the core program costs, such as transportation, field trips, or meal plans, for an extra fee. Participation in these services is entirely optional, and clear guidelines will ensure equitable access for all families.
Families may choose if they would like their child to be provided food while at WWO or if they will be providing a meal for their child. Parents who choose not to include meals must ensure their child has a healthy, well-portioned breakfast, lunch and snack packed every day that does not require heating or refrigeration.
| Day of the Week | AM Snack | Lunch | PM Snack |
|---|---|---|---|
Toast w/ Jam & Fruit | Curry & Brown Rice | Green Smoothie | |
Bran & Fruit | Grilled Cheese & Cucumbers | Zucchini Loaf | |
Berry Smoothie | Tomato Soup & Cornbread | Vegetables & Crackers | |
Waffles & Apples | Shepherd’s Pie | Mango Rice Pudding | |
Scrambled Eggs & Hashbrowns | Cauliflower Mac | Blueberry Oatbar |
Sustainability
At Wee Wild Ones, we continuously develop new ways to reduce our impact on the environment.
As a program that bases its curriculum and learning around the natural world, it is important for us to teach our children, staff, and families about simple ways to be mindful of our waste.
We promote the use of washable hand towels within our programs. This is an alternative to paper towels which harm the environment. Wee Wild Ones also developed Nature Calls, Calgary’s first childcare centre’s reusable diaper program.
Nature Calls
We are conscious and mindful of our environmental impact. We know that in raising tomorrow’s citizens, we share an enormous environmental responsibility.
We developed Nature Calls, Alberta’s first cloth-diapering service designed by childcare centres for childcare centres. Nature Calls was born from the desire to expand our mission, vision, and values into daily practice, and take our commitment to sustainability to the next level.
This service is provided at no extra cost to families. Wee Wild Ones provides and launders all cloth diapers on site. Children are monitored for ‘best fit’ cloth diapers and any discomfort. If cloth diapering does not work for a child/family, we will transition them back to disposables at the family’s request.
Careers
Wee Wild Ones strives to be leaders in childcare and early education by providing innovative services in a warm, welcoming space. Above all else, everything we do stems from a genuine love of children and a desire to provide the best possible care. We are looking for positive, passionate, and dedicated individuals to help raise little citizens of the world.
