Blüm classrooms have been carefully designed to marry the fundamentals of Montessori learning within the framework of Reggio Emilia, where nature is brought indoors. They are curated with learning materials from reputable suppliers like Coco Village, Lovevery, Grimms, Melissa & Doug etc.
A facility that has been carefully reviewed and approved by multiple governing bodies means that operations at Blüm comply with the regulations set out by the Licensing Division of Alberta Children’s Services, Alberta Health Services Regulations, and the City of Calgary’s Fire Department.
The century old pedagogy of Maria Montessori comes to life in Blüm classrooms, where a structured daily routine is full of intentional moments where education shines.
We are pleased to offer a carefully curated international menu at Blüm. Students are served meals every two hours while at the Academy, including a Chef-prepared warm breakfast, lunch, and two separate refreshments. Our seasonal menu features immune-boosting ingredients and is based on German kindergarten standards.
Blüm offers a proprietary blend of the internationally renowned Montessori Method presented in a Reggio Emilio framework, which is what Alberta’s provincially recognized curriculum for licensed preschools is based on (Early Learning and Care Framework). This means no screens and no digital media characters, only carefully curated educational learning materials and books for student-centric early learning and education. Our classrooms frequently feature natural materials (like rocks, pine cones, sticks, etc.) which are regularly incorporated in loose parts play, visual arts, and other creative experiences.
At Blüm, we have curated a team of qualified Early Childhood Educators, all of whom have been individually certified by the Government of Alberta, hold a current Police Clearance Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, and current First Aid and CPR training. Beyond this legislative requirement, our extremely passionate Educators are also trained specifically in the Montessori method and are proud to hold certifications in the FLIGHT framework, Brain Story, Loose Parts play, Children’s Yoga, American Sign Language, etc.
Blum is a lovely space where my child has been able to thrive and grow beautifully over the last year. She receives care and attention, all different kinds of play opportunities, healthy food, and help achieving developmental milestones. The closest playground is about a 5 minute walk… maybe 10 for little legs. They get loads of time exploring the community and trying different play spaces. It’s great for an inner-city setting. There are so many great opportunities to get involved (including joining the Family Advisory Board) that are posted in the monthly newsletter. We have found the daily reports to be so helpful, the staff to be very collaborative, and the leadership responsive to questions and concerns.
— Mother, Preschool Classroom
Blüm is proud to provide a beautiful and thoughtful blend of Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework – a provincially recognized curriculum for preschools – with the internationally renowned Montessori method. This results in an intentional environment with no screens, only carefully curated educational materials for student-centric early learning and education.
Aligned with Alberta Health Services regulations, the Academy follows a rigorous hourly, daily and weekly sanitization and cleaning schedule. Our classrooms are also equipped with high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) air purifiers and essential oil diffusers, along with professionally adjusted fresh-air circulation.
The thoughtful classrooms at Blüm feature carefully sourced materials from the same reputable suppliers that modern parents line the playrooms of their homes with like Coco Village, Melissa & Doug, Lovevery, Grimms, etc. In our clutter-free learning environment, organic and natural textures and colours thrive, and non-toxic Montessori wooden materials take precedence. Our students regularly collect natural materials during outdoor time and bring them inwards to be used in provocations or visual arts experiences.
Many years of research have resulted in the extraordinary programming delivered to the students at Blüm. Each classroom, and the corresponding curriculum, has been designed to emphasize hands-on learning and developing real-world skills presented using the Montessori method while highlighting the Reggio Emilia Approach®, where each student is approached as a child with strong potential for development and a subject with rights, who learns through the hundred languages belonging to all human beings, and grows in relations with others.
With an emphasis on being out in nature, Blüm students are encouraged to engage all five senses during the daily outdoor time and are often seen singing through the neighbourhood, taking in and learning about the community.
Predictable and reliable daily routines ensure Blüm students feel more confident and secure, allowing for different Montessori-inspired sensitive periods guided by monthly learning themes and with developmentally appropriate learning outcomes, to facilitate natural discovery.
With the intention of nurturing responsible and respectful global citizens, Blüm students are encouraged to approach each situation with kindness, and as such, Blüm Educators are trained to do the same, to embody kindness and demonstrate the barriers it can dissolve and the bridges it can build.
The program is designed to allow for rest and quiet time from 12:00 pm until 2:30 pm daily. While most students will still developmentally need to nap during the day, we are cognizant that older students, especially in our Junior Kindergarten program, will have dropped their nap. Students are never forced to sleep, and the classrooms are set up accordingly.
Our philosophy at Blüm incorporates an appreciation of nature and the surrounding community. As such, we have worked closely with Child Care Licensing and Alberta Health Services to ensure that registered students go on daily nature walks and utilize the many beautiful existing outdoor parks and play structures that surround Calgary’s inner city.
We are pleased to offer a carefully curated international Menu at Blüm, featuring immune-boosting whole food ingredients. Our students enjoy warm breakfast, lunch, and two separate refreshments, prepared fresh daily in-house by a dedicated Chef. The menu is updated as the seasons change, and a fresh offering is presented every quarter and could include items like bone broth soup with quinoa, tofu fried rice, or Greek yogurt granola bowls.
As a licensed provider of childcare in Calgary, our Educator-to-student ratio is governed by the current Child Care Licensing Act. As such there is one Educator per every four infants (12 to 18 months), one per every six junior preschoolers, one per every eight Preschoolers (3 years old) and one Educator for every ten junior kindergarten children (4 years old). Our Educator team is also supported by dedicated Assistant Educators and a robust Leadership Team.
The Academy’s curriculum is planned for full-time attendance, and for optimal learning and integration into the Blüm community, our program does not offer any part-time, drop in or casual options.