Who We Are
Since inception, The Learning Child Montessori Academy has been a trusted leader in high quality childcare and authentic Montessori Education. We believe the first six years of life shape everything that follows. Dr. Maria called this the first plane of development; a time when children build the foundations of who they become. Our full day Montessori Program nurtures independence, curiosity, concentration, and genuine love for learning that last a lifetime.
Our Journey: Growing alongside Calgary
September 7, 2013
Our story began in Panorama Hills, where we built more than a school. We built lasting relationships with families who trusted us with their children's earliest and most important years, and their support encouraged us to grow.
June 20, 2022
In June 2022, we opened our Willow Park campus in Southeast Calgary, and every space was filled within six months.
November 2024
In 2024, we welcomed more families to Shawnessy, where most spaces were secured before opening day.
April 2026
In March 2026, we opened our newest location in Southwood.
Each new location reflects the trust of Calgary families and the dedication of our educators, who bring our mission to life every day.
What Makes Us Authentic Montessori
Montessori Trained Educators
MACTE Accredited Montessori Training Center, AMS(American Montessori Society), MMI(Modern Montessori International) Diploma Holder Lead Guides and assistants. Our Guides observe, demonstrate, and step back so children discover for themselves.
Authentic Materials
Hands-on materials across Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Studies.
We Follow The Child
Prepared Environment
Honors the Absorbent Mind And Sensitive Period
We observe each child's interest and readiness and offer the right lesson at the right moment.
Beautiful order classrooms built at the child's scale, so children choose their work and move freely.
Intenional environment, rich language, nature, grace and courtesy, meaningful work and relationships that meets each child where they are.
Real Independence
From pouring water, tidying their work, to complex task, children gain real skills and real confidence.
Meet Our Founder
Kris Diesmos
Kris Diesmos brings over 20 +years of experience in Early Childhood Development, Family Studies, Special Education, and Montessori Philosophy. She is an Alberta Certified Educator and a Level 3 Child Care Supervisor, and she holds multiple graduate degrees in education along with a background in business management. Kris is currently completing her 6-12 Diploma with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori, reflecting her deep commitment to authentic Montessori practice in every TLCMA classroom.
For more than 13 years, The Learning Child Montessori Academy has been a trusted leader in high-quality childcare and authentic Montessori education in Calgary. We believe the first six years of life shape everything that follows. Dr. Maria Montessori called this the first plane of development, a time when children build the foundations of who they will become. Our full-day Montessori programs honors this stage by nurturing independence, curiosity, concentration, and a genuine love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Our team holds recognized Montessori training through the American Montessori Society (AMS), MACTE-accredited teacher training programs, and MMI London Montessori training. As guides, they observe closely, demonstrate with care, and step back so children can discover for themselves. As Montessorians we believe that every child develops on their own timeline. We observe each child's interests and readiness and offer the right lesson at the right moment.
Our classrooms are beautiful, orderly, and built at the child's scale, with low shelves and child-sized furniture. Children can choose their work, move freely, and care for their space. Hands-on materials guide children from concrete experience to abstract understanding across Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural studies.
Young children absorb everything around them, and they move through windows of intense interest in movement, order, language, and the senses. We fill our classrooms with rich language, nature, grace and courtesy, and meaningful work that meets each child where they are. From pouring their own water to tidying their work, children gain real skills and real confidence. As Dr. Montessori said, "Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."
We aim to become Alberta's premier early childhood education organization by instilling a lifelong love of learning in every child and preparing them for success in school and in life. Inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori, we believe that nurturing children with respect, care, and purpose can change their lives and, through them, make the world a better place.
When you choose TLCMA, you are choosing more than childcare. You are joining a community that sees your child as capable, curious, and unique, and that is dedicated to helping them become confident, independent, and joyful learners for life.