our story
Little Hummingbirds was born from a lifelong devotion to nurturing children, guided by the belief that child care should remain grounded in family—because that’s where the heart is.
Our journey begins with Nina, who immigrated to Canada in 1995 with her three-year-old daughter in tow and a determination to build a better life. With warmth, resilience, and an unwavering work ethic, she opened a small dayhome in Millwoods. For over five years, she poured her heart into the families she served—one homemade meal, one art project, one storybook at a time.
Over the next 30 years, Nina became a pillar in the early learning community. She earned her Level 3 certification and gained a reputation as a loving caregiver, a mentor to fellow educators, and a woman whose high standards raised the bar for what child care could and should be. Though many encouraged her to open a centre of her own, she never compromised on quality and waited for the right moment.
That moment came when her daughter—now grown, and inspired by Nina’s quiet power and unwavering dedication—decided it was time to turn her mother’s lifelong dream into a shared legacy.
Together, they created Little Hummingbirds.
Named after The Little Hummingbird story—where even the smallest act of courage makes a difference—our centre is a tribute to the big impact of small, intentional choices. This is a passion project through and through.
Every inch of Little Hummingbirds has been thoughtfully curated: soft, calming colours that invite wonder; natural materials that spark curiosity; cozy corners designed for connection; and an atmosphere that feels more like home than a facility. If it’s not up to Nina’s standards, it doesn’t make it through the door.
From the learning environments to the nourishing food (yes, her famous homemade chicken noodle soup makes a regular appearance), Nina’s commitment to excellence runs through everything we do.
We blend time-tested Montessori principles with Alberta’s FLIGHT framework to guide our programming, with one shared goal: to grow confident, compassionate, and capable children. At the heart of our approach is a strong emphasis on building the core components of positive mental health—resilience, self-worth, emotional regulation, and connection.
We also recognize that intelligence is not one-size-fits-all. Our curriculum is designed to honour and nurture the eight unique intelligences found in every child—whether they express themselves through words, movement, music, numbers, nature, or kindness toward others. We help children discover their strengths while giving them the freedom to explore new ones.
At Little Hummingbirds, we honour where we came from while shaping where we’re going. We’re proud to remain a family business, built by two generations of women who believe children deserve nothing less than extraordinary.
We can’t wait to welcome your family into ours.
What makes Little Hummingbirds different?
Honestly — everything.
The way we cook. The way we listen. The way children grow with confidence and care. From the philosophy to the food to the feeling you get when you walk through our doors.