About Us
The Centre is open to the public as well as the children of Columbia Students and Staff.
Our Story
Our licensed Child Care Centre provides full-time and part-time services for children 1- 6 years old. We provide superior child care and early learning in a nurturing, inclusive, and multicultural environment.
We support children in their social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development and strive to inspire children to become lifelong learners. Columbia Childcare Centre is a child-centred community of learners where children, families, educators and staff work in concert with one another. This partnership creates a trusting, nurturing and reciprocally supportive environment where joy, play and learning are celebrated. The Columbia Childcare Centre is open not only to children of the staff and students of Columbia College but to the public as well.
Columbia Childcare Centre provides superior child care and early learning in a nurturing, inclusive, and multicultural environment. In addition to English, some of the languages spoken in the centre are Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Urdu, Nepali, and Farsi.
Philosophy & Values
Learning through play.
- Learning through play is a leading source for healthy developmental the early years and is an effective way to support growth for the whole child- socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
- Staff carefully observe children and base programming on individual interests, needs, and abilities.
- Our programming focuses on connecting learning through play with life skills, such as making good choices, communicating well, and interacting cooperatively with others.
Columbia Childcare Center’s philosophy aligns with the philosophy of Columbia College Calgary:
Columbia's Philosophy & Values
- Columbia treats individuals with dignity and respect; Columbia approaches individuals in an honest, open, fair and friendly manner. Columbia recognizes and respects individuals from other cultures and regions in the world.
- Columbia recognizes that vendors, suppliers and consultants are essential for our success and therefore treats them as valued persons.
- Columbia is a proactive, flexible and responsive organization.
- Columbia’s focus is to continuously improve the quality of its programs, materials and services and learning outcomes, through objective and factual analysis of data and information.
- Columbia maintains a balance between being highly results-oriented and caring about the development of each learner.
- Columbia provides relevant content in a supportive environment maximizing human development.
- Columbia employees are professionals who continue to develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as their ability to communicate effectively.
- Columbia works cooperatively and collaboratively with leaders from business, government and labor to ensure the advantage of being at the leading edge of new technologies and trends.
- Columbia’s approach to leadership is demonstrated by supporting others, helping individuals and assisting coworkers. Leadership and fellowship is the responsibility of every individual.
- Columbia recognizes that its personnel are its most valuable resource. Columbia’s future is based on the success of its employees in meeting the present and future needs of learners. Columbia believes input into decision making should be sought from employees as much as possible.
Fees & Subsidy Rates
Fees (all programs)
| Age | Monthly Fee | Affordability Grant | Parent's Portion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12M to less than 18M |
$1600 |
$1273.75 |
$326.25 |
| 18M to less than 3Y |
$1281 |
$954.75 |
$326.25 |
| 3Y to less than 4Y |
$1203 |
$876.75 |
$326.25 |
| 4Y to not yet attending Kindergarten |
$1190 |
$863.75 |
$326.25 |
Alberta Affordability Grants
Important Changes to the Alberta Child Care Subsidy Program
The Alberta Government is eliminating the income based Child Care Subsidy Program. All existing subsidies will end on March 31, 2025, and rates will transition to the universal monthly fee structure.
Starting April 1, 2025, parents with children up to kindergarten age attending full-time licensed daycare facilities and family day home programs across the province will be eligible for a flat parent fee of $326.25 per month, equivalent to $15 per day.
You can learn more about the changes to Alberta's Childcare program at:
Our Team
Dr. J.T. (Tom) Snell President of Columbia College
Tom is one of the founders of Columbia College. He has extensive experience in education, including special education and completed a five year joint B.A., B.Ed. program. He has also since completed his Doctor in Higher Education (1995) at Nova Southeastern in Florida. Tom is on several provincial committees, is active in community clubs and enjoys volunteer work.
Candy Tsoi, Director
Candy has many years of first-hand experience and administrative work in childcare settings. She graduated from Mount Royal University with ELCC and completed Flight Curriculum at MacEwan University. Candy attends workshops and conferences corresponding to the childcare field to keep her knowledge fresh on a regular basis. Candy enjoys spending time with children, being a role model for the team and maintaining professional relationships with families.
Elvira Zyznomirshi, Assistant Director
Elvira has over 20 years of experience working in the Child Care field. She has completed the Daycare Training Program at the University of Calgary, her Level 3 Certification, and her First Aid. She loves working with children because they are funny and innocent.
Parvin Babaei, Assistant Childcare Director
Parvin has completed a Master’s degree in Educational Planning with remarkable academic credentials and more than 12 years of experience in the education area consisting of planning, monitor, teach and communicate with children and students. She joined Columbia College in 2016 and certificate of completion more than 20 workshops correspond to childhood area. She has her Level 3 Childcare Supervisor Certification. As an educator, she loves children and tries to incorporate fun and learning into the children’s curriculum.
Nga Huynh, Childcare Worker
Nga works in the Columbia Childcare Centre. She loves her job because she loves working with kids. Her hobbies are cooking, sewing, gardening, and playing with her kids.
Shukri Yousuf
I have a Bachelor of Education and taught middle school for four years before coming to Canada. I hold a level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification and have completed several workshops in the field. I joined Columbia Childcare Center in 2016. I enjoy engaging with children, understanding their needs, and helping them build early literacy and numeracy skills.
Shabnam Fardous
Shabnam Fardous is an Early Childhood Educator with extensive experience in fostering children’s physical, mental, social, and emotional development. She has successfully completed her Level 3 Early Childhood Education Certification. Shabnam joined Columbia College Daycare in 2022, where she provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children through arts, crafts, literacy activities, and play-based learning. She also brings valuable experience from her work with The Immigrant Education Society Childcare Program. With certifications in Standard Child Care First Aid, CPR, and courses such as Brain Theory and several workshops, Shabnam demonstrates a deep commitment to supporting early learners
Amandeep Sandhu
Amandeep completed a Bachelor of Education in India prior to coming to Canada. She has been working with Columbia College since 2022. Her hobbies include playing with kids, taking care of them, cooking, and travelling.
Jenny Shen, Cook
My name is Jenny and I have Level 1 certification and I enjoy cooking healthy and delicious food for children. I enjoy spending time with children. During my spare time, I love to go hiking and sightseeing.
Mika Yamaoka
I hold a diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education from CDI College and have obtained Level 3 Certification as well as First Aid training. I actively participate in workshops and training to keep learning new ideas and to stay up to date in the field. I’m also a mother of two amazing, loving children. As an educator, I truly enjoy working with children and their families, and I feel very grateful and happy to be part of their learning and growth journey.
Cherry Huang
My name is Cherry and I have level 1 certification. I enjoy spending time with children and watch them grow in a healthy and safety way.
During the spare time, I love to go travelling and cook food for my families and friends.
Charity Babin
My name is Charity Babin. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in the Philippines, as well as an Early Childhood Education Level 3 through my credentials back home. Prior to moving to Canada, I gained two years of teaching experience in grade one which laid the groundwork for my continued teaching career.
I always attend workshops offered by the daycare management to expand my experience, skills, and to develop better strategies for building positive relationships with children, coworkers, and parents.
As an Educator I believe that creating a safe space and warm environment is essential for helping children feel loved and cared for outside of their family.
Nazret Brhane
Hello my name is Nazret, I’m a caregiver at Columbia college. I have 3 kids of my own, I went to CDI college and graduated with my level 2! In my free time I like to play with my kids.
