A new Yellowknife program offers smaller, flexible learning option for neurodivergent children

By Carla Ulrich

A new learning program that opened in Yellowknife this fall offers small group programming for children who struggle in larger classroom settings.

The program, called Chickadee N.E.S.T. (Nurture, Engage, Support, Thrive), is tailored to the needs of children living with neurodivergence, such as autism, dyslexia, or attention disorders. It focuses on emotional regulation, confidence and connection to the community.

Caitlin Krekoski is the program director and co-founder of Chickadee N.E.S.T. She said the idea grew out of her own experience as a parent.

“It started because I realized that my own kiddos don’t feel super awesome all the time in public school,” she said. “And I just wished there was a more flexible, smaller option for kiddos to kind of have.”

Chickadee N.E.S.T. is designed for children aged six to 12 and is structured to be flexible. Families can enroll children for part of the week or on a more regular schedule, depending on their needs.C

Krekoski said the program is designed to help children better understand how their bodies and emotions work. She said the focus is on social and emotional skills, building confidence and helping children feel more connected to the people and spaces around them.

“It’s designed to be a safe, joyful, inclusive space for kiddos,” she said. “We really focus on self-regulation, confidence and community connection in a very child-led way.”

The program runs indoors in the mornings, with afternoons spent outside. Activities include time on the land, visits to community spaces and programs led by community members.

Krekoski said the program is not meant to suggest that public schools are failing children.

“I don’t think necessarily that the school system is lacking,” she said. “There are so many different types of humans, and it’s really hard to kind of fit everyone within a system.”

She said the idea for Chickadee N.E.S.T. had been discussed for years, but changes to Jordan’s Principle earlier this year pushed them to move forward. Those changes led to staff reductions in schools, including among education assistants, a role Krekoski held.

“I’m going into the next year with no job, and my kids would be going into the school system without me there as their support system,” she said. “That was scary for me and also a little bit worrying for them.”

One parent, Cynthia Pavlovich, enrolled her two sons in the program this fall. She said she was worried about the level of support they would receive at school.

“With the school system taking out a lot of the education assistants this year. I had some pretty big concerns as to whether or not my kids would be successful.” She said.

Pavlovich said concerns about her son Carter’s dyslexia and speech challenges pushed her to look for other options. She said enrolling both of her sons at Chickadee N.E.S.T. followed a request from Carter when he heard about the school from his friend.

Pavlovich said she can see changes since starting the program. Her sons appear happier, more regulated, and more comfortable interacting with each other and the world around them.

“Having the opportunity to learn to regulate themselves and to just be in a space that teaches them to love themselves,” she said. “I’ve seen some huge growth with my boys.”

Pavlovich said the program has also helped her children better understand themselves. She said openly talking about diagnoses like ADHD and dyslexia has allowed them to ask for help and advocate for their needs without shame.

She hopes the program continues to grow. Pavlovich said she would like to see it develop into a larger community that supports neurodivergent children and celebrates each child as they are.

That’s something they are working on, Krekoski said. She said the program is still small and in its early stages, and growth will depend on funding, staffing and community support.

She said future plans include expanding support for families, such as parent coaching and additional programming, as resources allow. For now, she said the focus is on building stability and making sure the program continues to meet the needs of the children already enrolled.

“I think it’s really important that there are more options for humans in this zone,” she said. “I think it’s a really awesome program, and we do hope to expand.”

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