Red Deer parents juggling work schedules and child development needs now have more local options after a faith-based operator established two early‑years centres last year, one in the city’s north and another in the south.
Programming aimed at skills, character and structure
Little Saints Academy launched two locations in Red Deer within a two-month span last year, bringing a curriculum that mixes traditional early‑literacy methods with faith‑based content and hands‑on STEM, arts and physical activities. The centres accept children from infancy to 12 years of age and advertise year‑round registration.
The program is split into five age-grouped units with distinct names and age ranges. Staff describe the approach as intentional and holistic — not simply custodial care, but developmental programming meant to nurture cognitive, emotional and motor skills.
| Program | Age group |
|---|---|
| Little Sweet Peas | Under 19 months |
| Little Snowdrops / Little Snowballs / Little Silene | Toddler and preschool groups |
| Little Shasta Daisy | School‑aged children |
After‑school clubs and wraparound supports
For school‑age families needing out‑of‑school care, the Red Deer centres offer structured club programming that runs after the bell. Offerings include arts and performance, sport and martial arts, science clubs and activities aimed at leadership and practical skills.
- Dance and drama
- Music
- Taekwondo
- Mad Science
- Leadership
- Construction and sewing
- Sports and learning support
“Every child is carefully and intentionally created for a purpose, and our role is to help them discover, develop and maximize those gifts,” said Ade Orebanwo, co‑owner of Little Saints Academy.
Orebanwo likened early childhood development to the potential built into a new car that still needs steering and brakes — an analogy used to emphasise the importance of guided learning in a child’s formative years.
Costs, subsidies and local access
Both Red Deer sites — located in the Gaetz Centre (north Red Deer) and the Bremner Centre (south Red Deer) — will accept provincial child care subsidies. The centres also advertise a flat parent‑portion fee for children aged zero to five, an approach meant to create predictable monthly costs for families who otherwise face fluctuating fees.
Childcare availability and affordability remain front‑of‑mind issues for many Prairie households. While this operator’s faith‑based approach will appeal to some families, others evaluate programs on location, hours, staff qualifications and everyday costs. The academy’s mix of phonics, Bible‑based stories and a STEAM emphasis is designed to position the centres as both values‑oriented and skills‑driven.
For parents weighing options, the Little Saints model highlights two trends shaping local childcare: diversification of program philosophies and a growing emphasis on wraparound care that extends beyond basic supervision to enrichment and extracurricular-style activities.
Local employers and economic planners track these developments closely. Reliable, high‑quality childcare enables workforce participation and supports family stability — factors that affect everything from local labour supply to school readiness.
Those interested in more information about registration, programming hours or subsidy intake should contact the Gaetz Centre or Bremner Centre locations directly through their respective community centre offices.
