Corporate Vision Best After-School Care Provider 2026 - Alberta Known for its family-focused, high-trust culture rooted in mentorship, continuous learning, and shared purpose, TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs and the TOPP KIDS Foundation is committed to creating great outcomes for children. We learn more about the firm’s ethos from from Cody Topp. TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs and the TOPP KIDS Foundation (Top Kids) are Alberta’s leading providers of high-quality, community-centred school-age care. For more than 15 years, TOPP KIDS has been a trusted staple in communities across Calgary and Okotoks, supporting thousands of families with award-winning before and after school programming. Founded by Leslie Topp in 2010 and based on the “Play, Grow, Laugh & Learn” philosophy, TOPP KIDS offers enriching, relationship-focused environments where children develop leadership, social-emotional skills, creativity, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. Having worked in Early Learning & Childcare for more than 25 years, Leslie experienced first-hand the incredible effect of early academic exposure and the power of play, imagination and natural exploration in young children. In the years that followed, she worked to modify her own child developmental approach, one that would not impose on the child’s natural desire to explore, play, and learn by experimenting with the environment. In 2012, Leslie was diagnosed with the debilitating autoimmune condition, lupus, and her son, Cody, stepped in to take the reins and continue building her dream. “Our unique approach to care focuses on providing safe, engaging, fun programs for children that are convenient and accessible for all families while building connections within communities,” Cody tells us. “We serve children in kindergarten through Grade 6 and connect with families by offering programs that reflect their values - community citizenship, healthy lifestyles, and opportunities to learn through play.” At TOPP KIDS, the core values are Play, Leadership, Community, Growth, Inclusion, and Family guide every interaction, decision, and program design. The firm believes children thrive when they feel connected, safe, respected, and empowered- so its programs are built around meaningful relationships and childled exploration. “As the sector has evolved, so have our values - deepening our focus on mental health, educator competency, and accessible training,” Cody continues. “This alignment has strengthened outcomes for children and solidified TOPP KIDS as a leader in quality school-age care.” Through STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading/wRighting, Engineering, Arts, and Math), Creative Expression, Leadership Clubs, and Physical Literacy, children build practical life and leadership skills that last far beyond childhood. Today, TOPP KIDS is recognised across the province not only as a care provider, but also as a sector leader. With 13 locations across Calgary and Okotoks and expansion underway into Lethbridge and High River, TOPP KIDS continues to grow its footprint and its impact. It also stands out as the only Alberta organisation to design a provincially adopted school-age curriculum framework, built in partnership with leading provincial organisations. This groundbreaking initiative sets a new benchmark for quality, aligning programming with evidence-based brain science, trauma-informed care, children’s rights, safe supervision, and age-appropriate leadership development. There is also an increased demand for STEM, Creative Arts, and Physical Literacy, with parents and communities increasingly looking for programs that prepare children for the future. TOPP KIDS STREAM-based approach directly addresses this need. Furthermore, there is a clear emphasis on educator professionalisation, and to this end TOPP KIDS has directly aligned with provincial and national movements seeking to strengthen the childcare workforce through competencybased training, leadership pathways, and sector-wide quality frameworks. Finally, the growth of community-based, hybrid non-profit models have seen a definite uptick of late. As part of its TOPP KIDS Foundation transition, the organisation is embracing new funding streams to expand accessibility, equity, and provincial reach. “TOPP KIDS is not just responding to trends - we are actively shaping them!” enthuses Cody. Following an impressive win at the Canadian Business Awards 2026 which saw TOPP KIDS named Best After-School Care Provider 2026 – Alberta, the firm now has future plans for aggressive expansion into the Lethbridge and High River regions, with additional sites being planned across Alberta. The company also hopes to transition into a full non-profit provincial organisation for school-age development, scale its curriculum framework into provincial and national training standards, increase access to affordable and barrier-free care, particularly for low-income families, and continue to build Alberta’s strongest workforce pipeline for school-age educators. “The future of TOPP KIDS is growth, leadership, and sector transformation,” states Cody. “This is not just a business success story - it is a movement reshaping the future of school-age care in Canada.” Contact: Cody Topp Company: TOPP KIDS OOSC/ Foundation Web Address: www.toppkids.com
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