About Us
Our program started as St. Martin Ukrainian Bilingual Playschool Society in 1982 to provide a Ukrainian bilingual experience in a playschool setting. In 2016, we expanded our program to include an After School component to offer this same program to additional ages of children. At this time, our name was changed to Kalyna Kids Society.
Kalyna Kids is located in south Edmonton, in St. Martin School, and offers a unique blend of play, cultural, language, and learning programs for children ages 3 to 12. We offer morning or afternoon Playschool programs for preschool children, as well as half-day Kinder Playschool classes for children attending the St. Martin Kindergarten program. We also help ensure our Kinder Playschool students get safely from and to the school bus. We also offer similar After School programs (mornings and afternoons) for Kindergarten through Grade 6 students.
Our Program implements a play-based, positive framework to support our children in a nurturing, respectful, and safe environment designed to promote the development, well-being, and engagement of our children. Our Program curriculum has been developed over many years by our lead teachers to create positive experiences that support each child’s learning and development. We apply the Principles and Matters to be Considered contained in the Early Learning and Child Care Act.
Play is critical for children to spark their imaginations, express their creativities, explore new situations, interact with other children and adults, and to develop healthy brains and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Our learning environment supports play by providing many toys, tools and activities to encourage and facilitate play. Structured and unstructured play, and Ukrainian bilingual content are central to our daily Programming.
Our Teachers nurture our children’s self-confidence by supporting them to overcome challenges and solve problems, make choices, and regulate their emotions and behaviors. Our teachers continually demonstrate and encourage children how to communicate and interact positively with each other through their play and activities. Our teachers are are warm, accepting, and supportive in their interaction with the children and their delivery of the Program.
Second language education has been proven to increase divergent thinking, memory ability, and attention span; to increase scholastic achievements; to strengthen first language skills; and to develop cultural sensitivity. Our teachers are all fluent in English and Ukrainian and they use both to interact with the children, talk about our theme topics, teach songs and poems, and conduct play. Our teachers make learning a second language fun and exciting by working with each child’s individual skills and abilities and encouraging them to learn new words and phrases in both languages
No previous knowledge of the Ukrainian language is required and our Program welcomes ALL children and families, regardless of your language, cultural, or faith backgrounds.
We are very flexible and are happy to work at finding a programming schedule that works best for your family. Please feel free to contact us.
Kalyna Kids is a non-profit society registered in the province of Alberta, and a charitable organization registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (Registration Number 108029604RR0001).