Our Vision

A community where every child is given the opportunity to reach for and achieve their full potential.

Our Mission

Working together with the child, family and community, we support the well-being and development of all children.

Our Values

Passion: We are driven to apply our skills and energy to be the best we can be.

Respect: We have respect for each other, for children and families, and for all stakeholders.

Learning: We are committed to life-long learning and continuous improvement.

Leadership: We are committed to knowledge-sharing, best practices, collaboration and innovation.

Our Guiding Principles

• We believe children deserve a joyful, supportive, respectful and safe environment that encourages exploration, learning and growth.
• We believe learning is driven by the child’s curiosity and individual readiness.
• We believe in providing inclusive, integrated and engaging environments so all children have the same opportunities and experiences.
• We believe in the primary role of the family in the child’s life. We recognize and support the right and responsibility of parents to share in the decision-making process for their children. We have knowledge and appreciation of family, social and cultural practices and traditions.
• We believe quality services are founded on valued, highly professional staff, and commit to the ongoing development of our staff.
• We believe in enhancing the capabilities of adults to achieve significant outcomes for the children in their care. We believe in knowledge-sharing across the early childhood development sector, and engaging the community at large in supporting the developmental needs of children and building resiliency within families.
• We strive to be leaders in our field through innovation, systematic planning, evaluation and resource provision.

Our History

Providence was just four years old in 1947, when oil was discovered in our province. We were five years old when the Calgary Stampeders won their first Grey Cup, 21 when Peter’s Drive Inn opened, 24 when the Calgary Tower was built, and 45 when the Olympics came to town in 1988. Over the years, we’ve had numerous other milestones that have brought us to where we are today.

• 1943 – A foster home for children is founded by Mrs. Isabella Stevens and a host of Calgary and area women. The Sisters of Providence then take on responsibility.
• 1950 – Providence Creche continues to care for children and to aid unwed mothers.
• 1958 – Construction of new Providence Creche at current Windsor Park location.
• 1969 – Providence Creche Society takes over management, with a non-sectarian board of directors.
• 1971 – Providence Creche officially renamed Providence Child Development Centre.
• 1986 – Unwed mother’s home closes
• 1987 – Early Intervention Program (for children aged 19 mos. – 30 mos.) opens
• 1995 – Outreach Program opens, providing assessment and treatment to young children in community child care programs
• 1999 – Group homes close
• 2001 – Daycare programs close – therapeutic and educational services for preschool-aged children continues as the main focus
• 2003 – Falconridge. Bowness and Woodlands Schools open
• 2004 – Beddington School opens
• 2005 – Woodlands School closes
• 2007 – Midnapore School opens, Bowness School closes
• 2008 – Hawkwood School opens
• 2011 – First purpose-built school opens in McKenzie Towne
• 2015 – Interactive SMARTboards introduced into classrooms
• 2016 – McKenzie Towne school expansion complete, creating space for 70 more students. Supported Child Care and LEARN programs added to Community Services portfolio.
• 2018 – Providence celebrates 75 years, supporting 700+ students in our six preschools and 900+ young children in our community-based programs.
• 2023 – Providence celebrates our 80th anniversary!