January 2025, Acquisition International | 17 for both its teams and the local, like-minded individuals also working in the field. TOPP KIDS is all about setting a new standard of care for children between the ages of 5 and 12 in Alberta. The commitment held by the company to this mission can be seen through its dedication to transitioning its business model to a non-profit one, which has led to the creation of the TOPP KIDS Foundation – as well as the partnerships it has with local governments and colleges, which it works closely with to raise awareness of the importance of out-of-school clubs. With its dedication now stronger than ever, TOPP KIDS Out Of School Clubs has set its sights on opening even more programmes throughout its region to continue to extend its reach. As it does so, we celebrate its excellence and wish it all the best for the rest of 2025. Contact: Cody Topp Company: TOPP KIDS Out Of School Clubs Web Address: https://www.toppkids.com/ Dec24021 Play, Grow, Laugh, and Learn with TOPP KIDS elivering a range of before and after school clubs and kindergarten programs across its local communities, TOPP KIDS runs every session with the children themselves in mind. Finding the balance between giving kids the time and space they need to relax and socialise whilst also prioritising their learning – as seen through its strict following of S.T.R.E.A.M, an educational approach spanning inquiry, dialoguing, and critical-thinking subjects – the company does everything in its power to help all children become ‘TOPP KIDS’. Established 15 years ago this year as a passion project for Leslie Topp, the eponymous founder of TOPP KIDS, the organisation is rooted in its founder’s more than 25 years of first-hand experience working in a range of early learning and childcare environments. During her time in these settings, Leslie quickly came to realise the combined power that playing, laughing, and learning have on children’s personal growth, and this is why these fundamental principles remain cornerstones of TOPP KIDS to this day, all these years later. When Leslie was diagnosed with Lupus in 2012, her son, Cody, stepped up and took the reins without hesitation, and he has continued to bring his mother’s dreams to life in the years since. Also recognising the enormous potential the brand had for growth, Cody has spent the last decade in particular expanding the business and its teams and is the driving force behind the success it has experienced. On the back of this string of innovation, the company has been able to serve thousands of families without ever losing sight of its values. Today present in more than a dozen schools across Alberta, TOPP KIDS’ programmes are all fully accredited and defined by their customisability, as well as the hands-on learning, countless opportunities for ongoing development, and commitment to giving back to the communities around them they instil within every child. Be it teaching leadership skills through its Junior Leaders programme, promoting anti-bullying campaigns at its schools, or even supporting local fundraisers, TOPP KIDS is a pillar of the communities it represents. Of course, things are not always so serious, and children at every one of the locations where TOPP KIDS delivers its sessions benefit from having big outdoor spaces and an array of free-play equipment to use. This is just the tip of the iceberg however, as children are also able to enjoy such initiatives as the Comic Book Project, where they can create their own books and have them published, carry out arts and crafts using the likes of nature and recyclables, and even partake in activities that they themselves decide on and run. Expertly built on the four fundamentals of ‘play, grow, laugh, and learn,’ TOPP KIDS provides programs that are tailored to be safe, nurturing, and stimulating – offering children the chance to truly thrive under the LIFE SKILLS* Curriculum Framework. A big part of TOPP KIDS’ next stage has been the unveiling of the ELCC & Community Development Education Centre, where the company delivers professional development and early learning care workshops Because every child is unique, so too are the experiences they are provided at the before and after school care clubs delivered by Alberta’s TOPP KIDS Out Of School Clubs. Children from kindergarten through to sixth grade are invited to attend these programmes, which are operated on-site at many of their schools. Comprising a choice series of structured and unstructured activities, these inclusive sessions make every child feel at home and nurture their development, resulting in TOPP KIDS’ recognition as the Best Community & Youth Development Organisation 2025 – Alberta. D
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