2024 Baby to Preschooler Guide

ABS Psychological Services was founded by Alexandra Suvanto, Registered Provisional Psychologist. She provides therapy to children, adolescents, and their families. Support for school staff is also offered, along with private assessments. Alexandra’s passion is helping young minds explore their world a little more clearly, allowing the chance for growth and change when ready. Our goal is to work together to open a door to conversation, provide a safe space to express different emotions and problem-solve together.

Your baby should receive their first eye exam between six and nine months of age. Many vision problems can be detected at this stage and the earlier a condition is caught, the higher the chance of correction. If vision problems go undetected, young children may not even realize that anything is wrong because they assume that everyone sees the same way they do. There is Alberta Health coverage towards annual eye exams for children until their 19th birthday.

BabyTooth is the pediatric dental practice of Dr. Kari Badwi and her team specializing in dentistry for children at our office in the southeast Midnapore area of Calgary. While we are serious about providing high-quality dental care - with special pediatric training and experience working with children and their unique dental needs - we also inject a little fun along the way. Our goal is to help kids feel good about visiting the dentist and lay the foundation for good oral health over the course of their lifetimes. Now accepting new patients. No referral required.

Use your free Calgary Public Library card for access to programs, books, movies, music, eBooks, audiobooks, and online resources for the entire family. Students can access free online tutoring with Brainfuse, prepare for tests and final exams with Solaro, and receive personalized, librarian-endorsed book recommendations from Beanstack. Head to your nearest library location for free drop-in programs including School Support, where trained volunteers help with language arts and math assignments, and Math Quest, where students explore the library while completing numeracy challenges.

Families Matter is all about healthy and resilient thriving families. ALL families. We promote optimal child development by empowering families to be resilient and to foster positive family relationships. We envision a connected community in which children and families are nurtured and supported to be happy, healthy and productive.

Many parents want to breast or chest feed their babies, but some stop sooner than planned. Connecting with La Leche League Canada (LLLC) can make the difference to reaching your breast/chest feeding goals. LLLC Calgary offers support and information by email, over the phone, or at virtual (and in-person) monthly meetings. Check out lllc.ca/find-group-alberta or phone 403-242-0277 for more information or assistance; Facebook, facebook.com/lalecheleaguecanada; and Twitter, twitter.com/LLLCanada.

The Learning Disabilities & ADHD Network provides free resources and helpful, reliable information for individuals with a Learning Disability and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as for those who live, play, and work with them. The Network is a collaborative group which fosters action towards meeting the needs of people with LD/ADHD. This non-profit operates through Foothills Academy and is supported by the Calgary Foundation. We're here to help!

NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank is Canada's only community-based milk bank. Operating as a charitable organization, NorthernStar accepts donations of excess milk from approved donors to be pasteurized in our laboratory. Milk is then dispensed to sick babies in hospitals and at home. We believe, and science supports, that human milk is the best option for any baby and that all babies have the right to the life-saving nutrients of pasteurised donor human milk.

Post Natal Helpers Ltd. provides part-time child care services for families with newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and/or special-needs children. While we are in the home, the parent has the option to stay to rest or to leave. Post Natal Helpers are available in the daytime as well as evenings and weekends.

Providence offers two unique Alberta Education-funded program streams: those based in our own six schools across Calgary and those based in approved community preschools or childcare programs (our LEARN Program). Both programs are designed to support children identified with a delay or disability from ages 2 years-8 months to six. To attend, a child must qualify for special education funding (Program Unit Funding (PUF)).

ROKband Pediatric HeadShape Clinics specialize in the education and prevention of baby head shape asymmetry. Our clinics have a specialized staff that is trained to deal with cranial issues only which means that each family that comes through our doors is on the same journey. We offer two free visits – one initial assessment and then a rescan to track, if required. We are Canada's largest HeadShape clinic boasting the world leading technology, products and training. We've recently had an independent study (published) showing ROKband has (by far) the least side effects associated with treatment. Come for your free assessment today!

With our customized sleep support, you and your little one can enjoy longer periods of sleep without spending your entire evening rocking them. Instead, cherish precious moments with your partner or enjoy some much-needed alone time while your baby enjoys ten to 12 hour stretches of sleep. I can help you get your nights back!

Compassionate guidance through all areas of family law.

Banbury Crossroads School is the oldest self-directed learning school in Calgary. We offer collaborative education from Jr. Kindergarten through Grade 12, we are very proud to offer class sizes averaging eight students per teacher. Our school is a safe, caring environment with bright, engaging teachers. We value mutual respect, communication, and understanding rights and responsibilities. We excel at meeting students’ individual needs, and we develop self-confident learners who are globally aware, resilient, and motivated. Choose to Succeed at Banbury Crossroads School!

The Calgary Classical Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in the Bridgeland neighborhood near downtown Calgary. We offer an academically rigorous, traditional liberal arts education focused on nurturing a love of truth and beauty. Ours is a community of learning and friendship, in which we preserve the wisdom of the past, cultivate it today, and build upon it for future generations.

Calgary French & International School is a vibrant multilingual learning community where children aged 19 months to 18 years thrive through curiosity and exploration. Students graduate bilingual in French and English and fully fluent in Spanish. Student learning is enriched by International Baccalaureate, UNESCO and travel studies programs that develop compassion, respect, and understanding of other cultures. For 55 years, CFIS students have been inspired to discover the world around them with energy and enthusiasm.

Central to Waldorf education is a deep respect for childhood. Our rich Waldorf curriculum fosters intellectual flexibility, creative thinking, academic success, with an eye to ethics and morality. Movement and time in nature is built into every student’s daily rhythm. Classroom instruction is free of technological devices, ensuring a tactile learning environment. The arts, encompassing music, storytelling, visual arts, and drama, are interwoven through all subjects. Students learn two world languages: French and German. Offering Jr. Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 through 9.

Preschoolers love to be active – they run, jump, sing and climb at every opportunity. Active learning develops active children who learn to make physical activity part of their lives. Our programs, designed for children 2.5 to 5 years old, help prepare them for school through play using a variety of resources under the guidance of our experienced instructors. Registration for our school-year 2024/2025 has begun

Our full- and half-day Junior Kindergarten welcomes children turning four years old by December 31. This accredited program nurtures intellectual, social, developmental, and spiritual growth in young students. We partner with parents, who are the primary educators of their children, to develop the full potential of each child. Book your tour now and let your child experience an extraordinary beginning. 

A Calgary’s Child Parents’ Choice Award winner for "Best Preschool" and "Honourable Mention" for over ten years! We offer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), Jolly Phonics, Learning Without Tears curriculum, weekly Music classes, Science experiments with Captain Science, Spanish classes, daily Gym equipment and games, creative movement, and Yoga. Our literacy-rich program includes an Author of the Month study, author readings, journaling, and a Home Reading program. We have a monthly Virtues Program, Environmental Awareness program, Outdoor Education, Cultural and Art presentations, and class field trips. Register for two-day preschool (for three-year-olds); two-, three-, or five-day Jr. Kindergarten (for four-year-olds); or Kindergarten.

Fueling Brains Academy (formerly Kids U) is an early learning preschool and childcare centre with 8 locations across Calgary and Saskatoon. Our unique 3-in-1 learning program allows us to build executive functions and whole brain development. We offer care for Infants (zero to 19 months), Jr. Preschool (19 months to three years), Preschool (three to five years old), and Kindergarten (five years and up).

Our preschool has been established for more than 30 years. We offer a learning through play program for three to five year olds, offering two, three, and five half-day programs. Caring, qualified teachers (two teachers per class) provide a happy, stimulating environment for children to learn and play. We offer a non-volunteer program, but parents are always welcome in our bright and cheerful classroom. We supply a healthy snack and water. The facility is equipped with a large gym, where we play games and use a variety of gym equipment for the last 15 minutes of every class. A Subsidy Program is available.

We offer Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten programs for children ages three and four. Since children explore, discover, and learn through play, we offer an enriched environment for this exploration. Our programs include music and movement, gym time, crafts, sand/water tables, numerous play-based centres, and much more! For more information, visit our website. Voted Best Preschool by parents in the 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 Calgary’s Child Parents’ Choice Awards. 

Kids@ Churchill Park is proudly in our 52nd year of offering accountable, trust-based early learning and child care to Calgary families. With eight different programs in the city, we have options for everyone including part-time care, out of school care, and Family Day Home options. Kids@ Churchill Park has been Calgary’s best-kept secret for over 50 years! Join our family and experience the difference that loving and compassionate care makes.

We are a non-profit, community-based preschool with Christian values offering an affordable and well-rounded program for children from 33 months to five years old. We believe that a balance of child-directed and purposeful play helps children grow and develop.

Lycée international de Calgary was established in 1966. The Lycée is Calgary's premier French school. Our full-day preschool program allows your child to learn French, socialize with others, and acquire the basics of learning, reading, writing, numeracy. Maximum 16 students per class. Each class includes a certified teacher and assistant. Teachers are certified by the French Ministry of Education. No prior French is needed to enroll. Before and after-school care available. Break week and summer child care available.

Check the website for specific locations in the Northeast and Northwest. Offering three program types: Pre-Kindergarten (for ages three to five, an early literacy preschool program combining learning and play, with options for two or three half-days per week); Kindergarten Enhancement (half-day child care programs for Kindergarten students); and Out of School Care (for Kindergarten to Grade 6).

River Valley School is an inclusive independent school providing exceptional education and character development to children in preschool (age three) to Grade 6. Students are immersed in play, inquiry, and project-based learning that challenges them to question, explore, and create! Our adaptive model of educational delivery supports different learning styles to ensure that each individual student flourishes.

Help your child discover the joy of learning in our well-rounded preschool programs. Your child will enjoy story time, art, drama, music activities and lots of time exploring and getting active at the Y. Some programs include a YMCA swim lesson. Our play-based curriculum introduces children to physical activity, literacy, mathematics, and science. Your child will gain physical literacy and friendships while becoming school-ready! Register for a winter, spring or fall session.

YW Childcare is a safe and flexible daycare located in a new state-of-the-art centre in Inglewood. Our licensed and accredited facility offers full-time, part-time, and drop-in spaces for children up to 5 years old. We believe in quality childcare that encourages your child’s individual development, emphasizing creative play and child-centered activities. Register today at ywcalgary.ca/childcare.

Established in 1991, Alberta Ballet School is recognized as one of Canada’s leading professional dance schools. As the official training school for Alberta Ballet, we provide a harmonious balance of academic and artistic training to young dancers aspiring to have a professional dance career. Artistic and academic faculty work in unison to ensure student success while fostering a positive, healthy, and inclusive environment.

At Between Friends, we offer social and recreational programs for people with disabilities to connect, grow, and belong. 

Butterfield Acres has been bringing farm fun to city kids for years! The 2024 season is no different with animals ranging from ponies to chickens, to pigs to bunnies. Your kids will love riding on a tracker, hunting for fresh eggs and learning how to milk a cow.

We have something for the whole family – from blockbuster movies to favorite classics and concerts just for kids. Kids 12 and under can get $10 tickets to most concerts when accompanied by a guardian with a regular-priced ticket.

Dinosaur walks, virtual reptile shows, reptile show-and-tell birthday parties, and more! Reptile Parties are structured to appeal to different age groups and sizes. Kids meet up close with cold-blooded animals, such as friendly bearded dragons, amazing frilled dragons, colorful geckos, incredible snakes, and even tarantulas and scorpions! They may even come face-to-face with Faith, the eight-foot plus suriname red tailed boa constrictor!

Calgary Young People’s Theatre is proud to present drama Classes for youth ages four to 17! Join us as we explore exciting theatrical techniques and skills through various dramatic exercises and games. Our classes provide a unique opportunity for kids to build confidence and teamwork skills, all while having fun!

With hundreds of affordable, active, and creative programs, you will find something for everyone in your family. We offer a safe, non-competitive environment where children and adults can explore new activities, make friends, and develop new skills and interests in a safe environment. Choose from swimming, fitness and wellness, visual arts, skating and hockey, sports, outdoor programs, day camps, and more! Proud to be the recipient of "Best Programs for School-Aged Children" 2024 Parents’ Choice Awards!

Flip Factory offers classes in gymnastics, trampoline, circus, parkour and ninja warrior training. We welcome toddlers through to adults and beginners to professionals. We also do birthday parties, sleep-overs, school field trips, cross training for skiers, snowboarders & dancers, summer camps and drop-in for tots. There’s something for everyone in your family at Flip!

Flying Squirrel is true fun for the whole family where the rules of gravity no longer apply! Form your own extreme dodgeball team, slam dunk like a pro, practice your best aerial acrobatics, and much more! We are Canada’s premier destination for Birthday Parties! Our parties include setup, cleanup, and everything in between, with two locations in Calgary!

Your preschooler will gallop, skip, spin and jump all with a huge smile on their face in WeeBop™! Dance is Serious Fun at Free House® Dance Plus where we welcome, engage, and inspire all ages: kids, teens, and adults. With a credible reputation in the dance community that spans 33 years, we bring our best professional instructors to the classroom and provide everyone with a fun, educational, and high-caliber dance experience. Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Acro Dance, Highland, African, Bollywood, Belly Dance, Zumba, and more!

Glenmore's preschool gymnastics program is designed to be fun and engaging for those kids aged two to three years. For our two-year-olds, we offer a Parent and Tot program. At age three, the young gymnasts can start in the semi-parented Preschool program.

This is the perfect birthday party for kids of all ages!  Your guests can spend the entire day roaming, climbing, sliding, jumping, zip-lining, and much more in 11 over the top fun exhibits!

Take a step back in time at Heritage Park. Ride the authentic steam train, enjoy the antique midway, set sail on Calgary’s only paddle wheeler and more! With over 180 exhibits situated on 127 acres of pristine land in the heart of Calgary, Heritage Park is the perfect place to create your own historic memories.

When you attend a Celebrations Junior Show, you get all the excitement of live theatre and a delicious 3-course lunch, but in a kid-friendly environment.

Kodály Music Explorers program for children ages three to seven offers a fun-filled approach to your child’s music development. Using the child’s own instrument, the voice, children learn songs, rhymes, and musical games to acquire knowledge, skills, and a love of music. You will be thrilled at how quickly your child can progress and parents have tons of fun, too!

Long & McQuade Music lessons for every age, level, and style. At Long & McQuade, we believe every person is capable of acquiring the skills and knowledge required to make playing a musical instrument a rewarding activity. We have a wide variety of carefully-chosen professional instructors offering year-round music lessons. Private and semi-private lessons, and several group programs such as "Rock Skool" and preschool classes available.

Come see for yourself how Master Rim’s TaeKwonDo can help you and your child enhance self-esteem and physical conditioning in a safe, fun, and disciplined environment! Canadian National Team Head Coach, Master Rim, and award-winning instructors will help your child to enhance real-life skills.

With the expert guidance of our team, your child will enjoy hands-on activities in all areas of our spacious facility: gym, pool, park, and classroom. Some of the activities your child will experience include swimming, track and long jump sand pit, Ninja Chamber, as well as an introduction to sports like basketball, badminton, floor hockey, and soccer.

From pattycake to Mozart, we have something for every little human in your life. Newborn and up.

Celebrate your child’s birthday at our exciting indoor climbing centre. This unique party experience will actively challenge your group in a safe, fun, and encouraging atmosphere. For an extended party, the option of adding swimming in our pool is also available at no extra charge during open swim times. For full details and to fill out our online booking request form, visit our website.

Moveology offers mom and baby barre classes every Tuesday and Thursday in Ramsay/Inglewood.  Whether you're wearing your baby in a carrier or they're by your side on a mat, this class offers a wonderful opportunity to step out of your house, strengthen your bond, socialize with other moms, and stay active. Toddler siblings are welcome too! 

Engage in early brain development with the violin, ukulele, piano, drums and vocal training. Use a variety of instruments to explore the alphabet and numbers.For our youngest learners, we provide engaging preschool programs dedicated to fostering early brain development through music exploration. In addition to our music offerings, we’re proud to offer coding lessons and math lessons to broaden your educational horizons.

Make your child’s birthday party extra special. Richard can present a 30- to 45-minute show with comedy, audience participation, and jaw-dropping magic. Suitable for ages three and up, Richard will tailor his show to the age of your birthday child.

Rocky Mountain Diving Club (RMDC) offers recreational Learn-to-Dive and pre-competitive programs for ages four and up.

For over 42 years, StoryBook Theatre has been entertaining families from all over Calgary with our award-winning professional, quality shows.

Trico Centre for Family Wellness wants your family to be #tricotough and active! Come swim with us in our wave pool with waterslide, water features, hot tub, and steam rooms. Huge, clean fitness centre, bright pool, hockey arenas. We offer activities for all ages!

Active Living, part of the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, provides health and wellness programs, facilities, and educational opportunities that encourage lifelong active living for all. Our programs are open to the public and include health and fitness programs like group fitness classes and personal training, aquatic and First Aid certifications, sports programs, kids' programs, and University of Calgary Summer Camps.

We have something For everybody at Vecova’s Aquatics, Health and Fitness – inclusive programs for you, your family and friends. Check out our programming for youth and children – including swim lessons, drop-in swim and play times, Adapted Recreation and more! Our programs are made for people of every age, ability and skill level to help meet their wellness goals. Discover the right program for you today!

Create, connect and explore at Vivo; north-central Calgary’s place to skate, swim, learn, dance and play! Join us for family fun with a wide variety of unique and innovative programs and activities. Get active, get healthy, and do it together! Visit vivo.ca to discover something new today!

Our passionate, expert instructors will help your child learn a sport, get better at it, and develop a lifelong love for being active. Ages three and up.

We're excited to welcome you back! YMCA Calgary has seven health and wellness facilities, six child development centres with licensed child care, two outdoor camp sites, and over 60 community program sites serving all quadrants of the city. These spaces and programs allow YMCA Calgary to deliver programs, services, and opportunities to help the Calgary community connect with others, build lifelong skills, and keep active and healthy.

Since 1994, Amaranth has provided the best in healthy groceries and supplements. We have everything you need from allergen-friendly choices to hard-to-find bulk herbs and spices. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our friendly staff. Thanks for supporting us, Calgary!

At Beaners Fun Cuts, our experienced stylists give the whole family great hair in a fun-filled atmosphere. Maybe it’s the themed chairs, movie screens or lollipops but we love kids, and they love us. We also offer clipper art, ear piercing, up-dos, braiding, baby’s first haircut with a certificate, and professional hair care products. Book online at one of three Calgary locations. Experience our haircuts!

Planning a birthday party could mean a lot of running around - especially if it means a lot of kids running around. That’s one of the reasons why we offer everything you need under one roof. At the Real Canadian Superstore, you can pick up the cake, the cake platter, the party platter, the party decorations, the party favors, and maybe even a party outfit for yourself because at these prices, it doesn’t need to be your birthday to treat yourself! Not just a store. Superstore.