Daycare Program

Our mission is to provide parents and guardians with safe, accommodating, developmentally appropriate and high quality child care. Our focus is to provide a stimulating child care and education experience which promotes each child’s holistic development.

Accredited by the Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services, Halpern Akiva Academy commenced in 2007 and caters to children aged 1 ½- 5 registered Halpern Akiva Academy Preschool, as well as out of school children of that age group.

Mrs. Kizhakke Vendekkan
Daycare Director

Mrs. Vendekkan (or Mrs. V. as the students call her) has been the Daycare Director at Halpern Akiva Academy since 2017. She has a Bachelors of Education and a Masters in Mathematics, and has a Montessori Certificate, as well as a Child Development Supervisor Certificate.

Her teaching goals include sharing her love for teaching and guiding children while providing a fun and creative environment. She is a passionate Montessori educator who is always looking to perform at the highest standards. She respects children’s rights at all levels.

The Montessori Program

Montessori is a method of teaching that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. The Montessori approach to education is based on the work and research of Dr. Maria Montessori. It provides students a carefully planned, stimulating environment that helps them develop an excellent foundation for learning and leadership.

The daycare and preschool have now incorporated five key areas of learning which make up the Montessori elements: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Culture.

Some of the Montessori special approaches to learning are: Fostering independence, Creating sense of order and Hands on learning.

Our Philosophy

We believe that each child is special with a unique pattern of interests, capabilities and aspirations.
We believe development is interrelated and therefore our program philosophy supports that children have a natural curiosity that is nurtured and integrated and integrated through an authentic, play- based approach. These qualities shall be nurtured in a healthy and safe environment in which the child can develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually.

Each child’s sense of autonomy, self- esteem and self discipline shall be facilitated in our warm and caring environment. We recognize that a universally designed curriculum promotes optimal development of children when teachers respect and respond to the child’s learning opportunities in conjunction with their families and communities.