'We looked at what stressors we could reduce to create an environment where educators feel supported'
In Alberta’s childcare landscape, Annie Zaidi, co-founder and director of Tiny Toes Castle, is prioritizing wellness.
Since opening the early learning and childcare program in 2010, Zaidi has been determined to address the gaps in health and wellness programs for childcare educators, a group she believes has been largely neglected.
“There wasn’t a set health program, and that was the same across the board for childcare programs in Alberta,” she explained. “The burnout rate in childcare is extremely high, and that is due to the fact that the focus just remains on the kids. The frontline educators were constantly, in my words, neglected.”
Zaidi’s early observations were stark. Educators were expected to bend over backwards to accommodate children and families, often at the expense of their own well-being. Policies and practices were family-focused but not necessarily child-centered, she noted, leaving educators caught in the middle.
“Finding the right balance so that parents' childcare needs are met, but the child’s needs are not neglected, is crucial,” she said.
Recognizing these challenges, Zaidi and her team began implementing policies to alleviate the stress educators faced. One such policy involved setting a cutoff time for child drop-offs, a simple yet transformative change.
“We asked parents to give us a schedule and determined a cutoff time,” Zaidi said. “It was stressful for the program directors and frontline educators to manage ratios when parents could drop off children anytime. This policy allowed us to give educators the flexibility they needed, like taking a mental health day or attending an appointment.”
Tiny Toes Castle’s focus shifted from reactive wellness programs to proactive cultural change. Zaidi emphasized that health and wellness must be integrated into daily practices rather than offered as occasional perks.
“What’s the point of a spa day if the workplace is so stressful that employees dread coming back on Monday?” she questioned. “Our focus first shifted to the work culture. We looked at what stressors we could reduce to create an environment where educators feel supported.”
This approach led to practical changes, such as introducing adult-sized furniture to prevent physical strain and providing on-site wellness coaches. The program’s meditation room offers staff a quiet space for yoga, grounding techniques, or even a quick nap.
“Children feed off the educators’ energy. When the educators are less stressed, the children are calmer,” Zaidi explained.
For Zaidi, wellness is not limited to physical and emotional health. Financial well-being is also a priority at the childcare organization, which she opened with her sister Alvina Zaidi.
“We provide fair wages and offer professional development opportunities,” she said. “If someone is stressed about grocery bills or rent, how can they focus on higher education or even their daily work?”
Tiny Toes Castle goes the extra mile by assisting staff with resources for affordable housing and offering food hampers for those in need.
“It’s not a huge thing, but these little actions make a big difference,” she added.
The program's health spending account is another standout feature. Unlike traditional benefits programs, it allows educators to allocate funds where they need them most, whether for acupuncture, chiropractic care or massages.
“We didn’t restrict it,” Zaidi said. “If you have $500, use it however it benefits you. It’s about flexibility.”
Tiny Toes Castle also prioritizes mental health, offering both on-site and off-site counseling options. Monthly wellness campaigns further reinforce these initiatives, reminding staff of available resources and providing sessions on grounding techniques, yoga, and stress management.
“Some cultures may view counseling at work as shameful or invasive,” Zaidi noted. “We provide flexibility to ensure staff can access what they need in a way that’s comfortable for them.”
This focus on staff engagement has paid dividends. “Our retention rate went up, absenteeism went down, and staff are more excited to come to work,” she said. “We’ve seen educators who started as level one staff rise to leadership roles within a few years. The changes have had a huge impact.”
The results speak for themselves. Surveys reveal a 97% reduction in staff stress levels since Tiny Toes Castle began prioritizing wellness.
“It’s not just about creating policies; it’s about making sure they’re effective and relevant,” Zaidi said. “We’ve built a team that feels heard and motivated, and that’s what keeps the whole program thriving.”
