Kids' Zone Childcare Centres

The Kenora Association for Community Living’s (KACL) Kids’ Zone programs provide inclusive childcare and early learning programs that welcome all children from infancy to school-age. Kids’ Zone employees foster a caring and rich early-learning environment in which each child’s uniqueness and development are nurtured and supported. 

KACL’s Kids’ Zone location (Lakeside) opened in 1997, with a second Kids’ Zone space (Ecole Ste. Marguerite Bourgeouys- SMB) opening in 2007.  A third Kids’ Zone space (St. John Paul II School- SJP) opened in 2017.  In 2025 however, KACL scaled back on operations but has retained Kids’ Zone Lakeside.  Each Kids’ Zone location is licensed by the Ministry of Education as a certified childcare space and locations are staffed by both qualified Registered Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Educators.  Kids’ Zone centres are also eligible to accept children whose families qualify for subsidy through the Kenora District Services Board. 

Kids’ Zone programs provide childcare to families with children ranging from infant to school-age.  Kids’ Zone Lakeside began offering care for infants up to 18 months in 2009.  We also have a Toddler room, which assists children’s development during this stepping-stone stage of growth and development.  Preschool is offered for children aged 2.5 to 4 years.  In Preschool, children have opportunities to build the essential skills to be successful in school while engaging in meaningful, inquiry-based learning engagements. 

Children explore engaging in both indoor and outdoor activities in a welcoming and exploratory environment. In late 2021 Kids’ Zone Lakeside opened a new Family-Age Group room to offer families a new experience in a mixed age group setting. 

All of the Kids’ Zone’s programs work within an emergent curriculum format that prepares children for a successful transition to school. Kids’ Zone employees believe that play is one of the most important tools through which children learn.  Play is vital in supporting children to interact with other people in a meaningful way, to feel safe, to be themselves, and to take steps toward becoming healthy, complete people. Children need to know that they are important, that they are listened to, and that they are cared for by others in their sphere. If children live with these messages, they will have the tools to better relate to others and to be responsible people who care for others. We have been focusing on becoming a Reggio-inspired program, where each child is viewed as an individual. They are capable, competent human beings with great capacity and creativity. The child isn’t someone to be shaped and formed but rather an individual who already has their own unique personality and abilities, who’s on a journey toward making their place in the world.