About Emmanuel

Head Office and Waterloo location: Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre- 65 Noecker St. Waterloo, ON

Baden location: Emmanuel at Sandhills Forest and Nature Early Learning- 3601 Sandhills Rd. Baden, ON

In the beginning…

Formally referred to as Emmanuel Church Day Nursery, Emmanuel was originally established in 1964 by members of the Emmanuel United Church in Waterloo. We currently have no religious affiliation.

In the beginning, Emmanuel was run by volunteers who welcomed children into the program with varying abilities focusing on the strengths of each child, enabling them to reach their potential. The volunteers eventually took courses in Early Childhood Education and expanded the enrollment. Several church members contributed to the success of Emmanuel over the years making furniture and toys, making quilts for each child to rest with, sitting on the Board of Directors, or helping in the kitchen.

Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre

Emmanuel moved to 65 Noecker Street (the former Brighton Public School) in 2004 and became Emmanuel at Brighton Child Care Centre. Penny Curtis was the Supervisor of Emmanuel for 33 years and retired in 2006. She valued the founders’ vision of meeting the growing needs of diverse families in our community. We currently offer programs for children 18 months to five years of age and summer camp for children 4 to 10. In 2015, Emmanuel became a certified Forest and Nature School.

Our Waterloo location continues to be an integral part of the Uptown Waterloo community, and we take full advantage of activities within our community by going on neighbourhood walks, visiting the neighbourhood creek to explore and discover nature and wildlife, and visiting uptown businesses.

Emmanuel at Sandhills Forest and Nature Early Learning

Emmanuel purchased our second location in the fall of 2024 from Camino Well-Being + Mental Health (former North Wilmot Public School). We opened to children and families in September 2025.

Our Legacy

Emmanuel’s founders would be proud of the fact that Emmanuel continues to meet the needs of hundreds of children and their families and has an extensive wait list of families waiting to be part of our program.   A dedicated team of educators continue to empower each child to reach their potential in environments that allow children to explore and make discoveries using their natural sense of curiosity. 

Emmanuel continues to be filled with the sounds of children laughing and playing as they learn about the world around them and then resting under the warmth of a quilt made by church members more than 50 years ago.

Mission

We provide quality child care and early learning through forest-based education, embracing the whole child, nurturing a connection to nature and inspiring a love of lifelong learning.

Vision

Leadership in learning through nature; growing bright futures for our community.

Values

Family, Belonging, Community, Nature Exploration, Nurturing Care.