A Calgary-grown childcare family, rooted in care since 1991
We’re a family-owned, local team providing accredited early education and warm, play-based care across Calgary, Edmonton, and Airdrie. Come see what makes our centres feel like home.
Family-owned & local
Built in the Calgary area.
Since 1991
Decades of trusted care.
Play-based, balanced programs
Movement, curiosity, and early learning.
Strong family partnerships
Open communication, daily updates.
Our Story
Active Start Childcare began with a simple belief: children thrive when they feel safe, seen, and inspired to move and explore.
In 1991, our founder Jane Anderson opened Magic Mountain Daycare in the Calgary region with a warm, community-first approach that families quickly came to love. Over the years, that approach grew into the Active Start family—bringing the same heart, standards, and commitment to quality early education to Calgary and Edmonton.
Today, we’re proud to serve local families with accredited early education centres and a team that treats every child like their own.
A note we’re proud of: Magic Mountain Daycare has been voted Airdrie’s Best Daycare for five consecutive years—a reflection of the care standards we carry into every Active Start centre.
Our Philosophy
How Little Learners Grow
Active Bodies
Children are built to move. Our days include indoor and outdoor play, gross-motor exploration, and brain-boosting movement woven into routines.
Curious Minds
We follow children’s interests through play-based, emergent curriculum—early literacy and numeracy, STEAM invitations, and rich language experiences.
Caring Community
Relationships come first. We teach kindness, self-regulation, and inclusion so children feel safe to try, fail, and try again.
What Our Parents Say
Hear from our community.
“I’m absolutely impressed with Active Start.”
The front desk staff are very friendly when we check-in and the teachers always have a positive attitude and genuinely care about each kid in the room. The facility is new and very clean, with lots of space in the rooms for kids to play. The daily updates on the app are very useful. It’s nice to see a daily description and photos of what the kids are learning and what types of activities they're participating in.
“My Daughter loves this Daycare.
She has tried different ones but this one is her favourite. The staff are always welcoming to kids and I have personally seen a huge development in my child. She learns something new every day and she shares with us as well."
“My son simply loves going to Active Start.
He is clearly active throughout the day and his development has skyrocketed since we began. I can tell by our conversations in the car on the way home what he has learned about and how excited he is. Our son has some health issues so communication is HUGE to us. The staff keep us informed of everything and we trust them completely. I would highly recommend Active Start to others."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Active Start and Magic Mountain the same?
Active Start Childcare and Magic Mountain Daycare are sister centres that share a common foundation. Magic Mountain Daycare, which was founded in 1991, has been recognized as "Best Daycare in Airdrie"for many years. Active Start Childcare is committed to bringing that same quality of care to families in Calgary and Edmonton.
How do I enroll?
You can register and book a tour for a location through our website.
What are your child care centre hours?
Our centers are open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What programs do you offer?
We offer programs for a variety of age groups, including daycare, preschool, pre-kindergarten, and before- and after-school care for children from 12 months to school age. Our curriculum is based on an inquiry-based learning approach that combines Montessori and Reggio teaching philosophies.
Does Active Start have a gym and indoor playground?
Yes, our centres are designed with activity in mind and include well-stocked indoor gymnasiums and play areas. These spaces provide opportunities for children to run, play, and engage in organized activities and sports. We focus on developing gross motor skills and teamwork, and our facilities allow for physical activity regardless of the weather.
How do you communicate with families?
We use a variety of communication methods tokeep parents informed. This includes:
- Daily personalized journal entries through our ChildFriendly Pro parent app.(include link to ChildFriendly)·
- Monthly newsletters with upcoming themes and events.
- Individual progress reports three times a year (October, February, and June) to update parents on their child's academic and developmental progress.
What about meals and allergies?
Each centre follows allergy-aware practices. Meal and snack provisions vary—your location can confirm what’s included.
Quality Care. Lasting Impact. Join our community today 🤍
