(780) 743-1106

WELCOME TO
CHILDREN 1st!

Children First: Community Child Care Network Society
-Circles of Support-

OUR MISSION

We provide circles of support for children and families.

OUR VISION

Together with families we put children first.

OUR CORE VALUES

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Children First's commitment to pursuing excellence will be evident in measurable plans for continuous improvement in all activities of Board and educators.

Intercultural Perspective

This value of intercultural perspective will be apparent in the development of childcare programs, using the Anti-Bias Philosophies that are responsive to all children; as in the development of culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate childcare programs that inclusive of Wood Buffalo's diverse community, and including children with additional support needs.

RELATIONSHIPS

The value of relationships is core to Children First. This value will be manifested in the concrete, observable, respectful, warm, caring, honest, open, fair, and equitable relationships among all children, families, board, educators, and other stakeholders who participate in the activities of Children First.

PROBLEM-SOLVING PHILOSOPHY FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS

Children First's philosophical commitment to the value of problem-solving will be evident in the positive, respectful manner in which tensions and conflicts are resolved in a mutually helpful manner, wherein personal growth is nurtured.

FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Children First will display this value in all decisions and activities related to financial stewardship. All financial matters will be legal, moral, ethical, and transparent.

LIFE-LONG LEARNING

The commitment to life-long learning for children, parents, staff, and board involved in Children First will be apparent in activities that support and nurture continuous professional and personal growth.

TRADITIONAL LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Children First acknowledges the traditional lands upon which we play, learn, and live. We honour the courage, strength, and resiliency of Indigenous children and their families. We honour all children as Mighty Learners and Citizens who are capable and competent. We will continue to learn from children’s achievements, strength, and endurance as we place circles of support around our children and their families.


Children First is located on Treaty 8 territory, the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree and Dene and the unceded territory of the Métis. We acknowledge that these lands have been ancient gathering places for many Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. We make this land acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose lands upon which we reside or visit.

ABOUT


Children First: Community Child Care Network Society's Board of Directors, formed in spring 2008, is made up of a diverse, dedicated group of community members. It grew out of the wider Community Child Care Coalition, and has been working diligently to access all available government funding and to network with community partners to help realize the vision of providing more accessible, affordable, high-quality child care services for the families of Fort McMurray. We hope to achieve this goal through our child care facility in Eagle Ridge, affectionately known as The Nest.

Children First: Eagle Ridge Nest is located at 285 and 289 Sandpiper Road and holds a Facility-Based License under the Early Learning and Child Care Act, which affords us the ability to access government funding and subsidies to support our children, families, educators and programming. The Nest provides care and education for children ages six months to twelve years old. Built in two houses with shared yards, The Nest provides full-time care for young children.

Taking Flight: Children First: Co-imagining Possibilities through Flight

Please click the link below to a video that highlights our program's journey.