Bowtrail Daycare

Business Details

30 Years

experience

Trusted Child Care Services in Calgary

Established in 1996, Bowtrail Daycare has dedicated over 25 years to providing personalized, family-oriented childcare in Calgary. Our licensed facility offers infant, toddler, and preschool programs designed to nurture individual growth through experiential learning and structured activities. With a team of qualified, long-term staff, we maintain a nut-free, allergy-friendly environment that prioritizes safety and holistic development. Our programs adapt to each child's needs, incorporating yoga, dance, and fitness while fostering independence and social skills.

We collaborate with parents through inclusion events and maintain open communication to ensure personalized care. Our facility features indoor/outdoor learning spaces and a large playground, supporting both academic and social readiness for school. As a regulated childcare provider, we combine professional expertise with a home-like atmosphere to create a trusted environment for families in southwest Calgary.

Services

Infant Care Program Toddler Development Preschool Readiness Parent Engagement Activities Nutrition Planning

Details

Year established: 1996

Highlights and features

We offer 25 years of experience in early childhood education
Our licensed facility maintains a 1:8 caregiver-to-child ratio
Allergy-friendly, nut-free environment with strict safety protocols
Experienced team includes certified early childhood educators
Government subsidies available for eligible families

Website

Update Listing

Services

Infant Care Program

Our infant program provides nurturing care for babies through their first year, focusing on developmental milestones and creating a home-like environment. Primary caregivers with specialized training ensure personalized attention and safe exploration. The program supports emotional bonding while introducing age-appropriate learning experiences that prepare infants for toddler transitions.

Toddler Development

Designed for 1-3 year olds, this program emphasizes social skill development and independence through structured play and educational activities. Certified staff implement curriculum that enhances fine motor skills and self-confidence while maintaining a balance between guided learning and free exploration in a secure environment.

Preschool Readiness

Our preschool program prepares children for school through academic and social learning experiences that foster curiosity and knowledge expansion. The curriculum includes investigative activities, literacy development, and collaborative play to build foundational skills necessary for successful kindergarten transition and continued educational growth.

Parent Engagement Activities

We offer inclusion events like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Halloween celebrations that involve parents in their child's development. Special Christmas concerts and regular communication channels create opportunities for family participation and strengthen the home-care partnership in child development.

Nutrition Planning

Our nutrition program provides balanced, homemade meals and snacks developed with dietary experts to meet children's developmental needs. Seasonal menus rotate between summer and winter offerings while maintaining strict allergy-friendly protocols, including nut and egg-free requirements for all enrolled children.

People

Maricel Romano

Director

Bachelor of Education with 10+ years in Early Childhood Education, including 5 years as Program Director and 3 years as Childcare Consultant. Specializes in special needs education and family engagement while maintaining high operational standards.

Mark Slade

Co-Owner

Licensed plumber with 31 years of family daycare experience, operating the business daily since 2022. Combines practical management skills with hands-on childcare experience through raising his own children at the facility.

Amanda Slade

Co-Owner

Accountant with 18 years of financial expertise and 13 years of parenting experience. Manages business operations while leveraging her educational background from British Columbia to support administrative functions.

Questions

What age groups do you serve?

We provide care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children through our licensed daycare programs.

Are meals provided?

Yes, we serve one homemade lunch and one afternoon snack daily, following allergy-friendly and seasonal menus.

Is your facility nut-free?

Yes, we maintain a strict nut-free and egg-free environment to ensure safety for all children.

Do you offer government subsidies?

Yes, we accept government subsidies for eligible families to make quality childcare more accessible.

What are your operating hours?

We operate Monday-Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:45 PM, closed weekends and statutory holidays.

How do you communicate with parents?

We use open communication channels, regular updates, and the 'Hi Mama' app to keep parents informed about their child's progress.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Jason Kostiuk

Nov 09, 2020 Report

My son has attended Bow Trail Daycare for almost 4 years transitioning from the baby group, toddler group and now the preschooler group. This is his last year there and reflecting back I have to say that the caregivers have done an excellent job in helping raise my son. I credit the team with potty training him, trying new foods, teaching him respect and manners just to name a few. Over the years there has been plenty of impressive activities such as yoga, dance, singing, Christmas concerts, show & tell and even the odd field trip in the neighborhood. The facility is professionally set up and

Tasha Pt

Oct 06, 2020 Report

Critical:Professionalism,Reliability
We chose not to go to this daycare because the day we went for our pre-scheduled tour, no one was there to greet us. We found a caregiver busy taking care of kids, but she was not expecting us. It seemed unprofessional. The posted menu seemed to have a lot of pre-made foods like fish sticks, so we decided not to follow up.

Mateo Ignacio

Jul 03, 2019 Report

I am quite happy that my child has been attending this daycare for the last couple of years. He is part of the toddler's program and has been developing his communication and independence which I can confidently attribute to the teachers and their teachings at Bow Trail Daycare. I appreciate their patience, care, time, dedication and understanding of my child which is very important for me and my son.

I like their attention to detail, that they are very organized and especially their preparation of healthy and tasty meals throughout the week. I look forward to my son's growth with this organization

J. R.

Dec 21, 2013 Report

I don't mind paying high fees if the quality of care is good, but this is not the case with Bow Trail Daycare. I found if my child was not eating or sleeping, they would simply just take the kids outside, where there was very little play equipment. They rarely do crafts or any thing interactive with the kids. The meals are not very wholesome and they are not at all accomodating to the different needs of children. My son is in a new daycare now in the same area (for $400 less per month!) and the quality of care is so much better. We can really see a big difference in our son. He comes home

Karla O.

Nov 14, 2013 Report

Our kids went there for a few years and after reading the previous post I thought it was just me and makes me angry what went on behind closed doors I didn't know about. My son complained about about not getting the same treats as the other kids bc he couldn't fall asleep at naptime. Christine would just give him crackers and the other kids would get popsicles. We complained to Elizabeth and nothing was ever done about it. My son also told us Christine would sit beside him at naptime and make him face a wall until he fell asleep which he would after an hour and then they would wake

Scott G.

Aug 20, 2013 Report

We took our two kids here from October 2011 to July 2012. It was a terrible experience for our girl in the pre-school room. Anthea and Christine were rude and belligerent to the kids. Our girl can speak quite well, and would tell us of them putting her and other kids down. A few examples: they told our 4 year old that her baby brother ate cleaner and that she "eats like a baby". They would announce who the last one to get their shoes on was and that they didn't get the toys that quicker kids would get outside. I even heard from another parent that Christine put down the mother