Growing a community of mighty learners.
Since 1972, Early Learning at MacEwan (ELM) has provided quality childcare to the university and wider community. As a licensed centre, catering to children between 18 months to six years, ELM combines attentive care with a curriculum rooted in contemporary early childhood education principles. Emphasizing experiential and play-based learning, we strive to stimulate curiosity, foster creativity and encourage critical thinking. We welcome children and families from all backgrounds, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.
Our qualified early childhood educators bring compassion, expertise and dedication to their roles, nurturing each child’s potential and creating safe and engaging environments where children can explore, learn and grow.
Our curriculum incorporates the latest theories and practices in early childhood education. Through experiential and play-based learning we endeavor to stimulate curiosity, foster creativity and encourage critical thinking and problem solving, reinforcing their growing sense of identity.
Our vision
We strive to be a centre of innovation in our community for early learning and child care knowledge, theory and practice.
Our mission
We exist to lead the way in early childhood education and care.
![children playing at table](elm-symposium.jpg)
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Our values
Relationships
We create a community of learners by fostering strong, nurturing relationships between children, parents, educators and students. Our commitment extends beyond interpersonal connections, as we empower each child to build meaningful and confident relationships with the wonders of the world surrounding them.
Respect
We value the uniqueness of every child and encourage them to ask questions, explore new possibilities and act on what they learn. We are committed to supporting each child as they learn respect, not only for the materials they use, but also everything and everyone around them.
Potential
We know each child is a strong, capable learner. By understanding their existing knowledge and curiosity, we tailor our curriculum to fully unleash their potential. We also recognize the potential of families, educators and students as co-learners, co-researchers and co-visionaries, working together to explore endless possibilities.
Play
We believe the impact of play helps us to understand how children learn, explore their world and navigate everyday life. As children play, they develop essential qualities like flexibility, adaptability and resilience, building a foundation for lifelong social and emotional well-being.