Chickadee N.E.S.T. 

• Mission:
  To create a safe, joyful, and inclusive space where every child—especially those who are neurodivergent—can build confidence and thrive through outdoor exploration, creative expression, and individualized support.

• Vision:
  A northern community where all children have equitable access to enriching, nature-based learning, strong social connections, and the tools to navigate life with confidence and resilience—at little to no cost for families.

Every child deserves a space where their energy, curiosity, and unique way of experiencing the world are celebrated. Yet in Yellowknife, programs that truly meet children where they are—especially those who learn or experience things differently—are limited.

The Chickadee N.E.S.T. Program bridges this gap by offering:

• Outdoor and play-based experiences that reduce stress, build social skills, and support executive functioning

• Low child-to-adult ratios for personalized attention

• Sensory-friendly, flexible programming that adapts to each child

• Evidence-based approaches grounded in Canadian research and northern realities

By joining N.E.S.T., you’re giving your child a space to belong, explore, and grow—while contributing to a stronger, more inclusive northern community.

Our program combines the comfort of an inviting indoor learning space with the richness of real-world experiences. 

Mornings are spent in our centre, generously donated by the Yellowknife Women's Society, 5020 47 St., where children engage in creative, exploratory activities tailored to their individual needs. 

Afternoons take learning beyond the classroom as we explore the outdoors and connect with community spaces for arts, culture, and recreation—helping children build confidence, flexibility, and a sense of belonging in their community. 

2026 Registration Opens: December 27, 2025

2026 Program Begins: January 5, 2025

N.E.S.T. FAMILIES ON THE LAND DAY 

SATURDAY JANUARY 31, 2025  

FREE TO ATTEND 

✨ Stay tuned for family programming information!

Our program runs  four days a week, with space for up to 12 children per cohort. You can choose full days or build a custom schedule that works best for your family—whether that’s all four mornings, a combination of mornings and afternoons, or just the days that feel right for your child.

Morning Session (8:30–11:30)

In our welcoming centre, children enjoy sensory-friendly play, creative projects, and curiosity-driven activities in a calm, structured setting—where every child can explore, discover new skills, and build confidence at their own pace. Our morning program also welcomes guests from our community, including Elders, knowledge keepers, and other role models, who lead cultural activities, discussions, and interactive sessions that help children connect with real-world experiences and diverse perspectives.

Afternoon session (12:30–3:30) 

In the afternoons, learning continues beyond our centre as children explore the outdoors and connect with their community. Through hands-on experiences in nature, arts, and cultural activities, children have the chance to try new things, build confidence and independence, learn about their community,  and develop self-regulation—all while having fun and discovering the world around them.

Spring Break & PD Day Sessions

Spring Break, Summer Camp, and PD Day sessions will follow the same structure and rhythm of regular Morning and Afternoon sessions. The difference will be:

•  increased staff to support a larger number of children, 

• an alternate indoor space to ensure that calm and regulation are promoted regardless of group size, 

• and continuous program day (no need for transportation from indoor to outdoor site). 

No matter how you structure your child’s week, every session includes movement breaks, hands-on learning, and joyful opportunities to explore in ways that feel natural and fun.

Our program is designed to be flexible and accessible—choose the schedule that works best for your family. 

N.E.S.T. Program Tuition

Half Day (3 hours- indoor or outdoor): $ 30

Full Day (6 hours- indoor + outdoor): $ 60

Subsidized Half Day (3 hours): $ 15

Subsidized Full Day (6 hours): $ 30

PD/Spring Break Full Day (7.5 hours): $ 100

Please Note: 

• Registration for regular program is a minimum of 4 sessions per month with no maximum. 

• If PD / Spring Break falls on a child's regular program day, parents will be charged the lower, regular program rate.  

Our program is deeply rooted in community, and we couldn’t be as connected or successful without the guidance of local voices who help shape our programming to be culturally relevant, inclusive, and meaningful.

Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Bri or Caitlin to join the conversation and help create experiences that truly reflect our community.

We’d love to hear from you! 
To help us respond quickly, please connect with the right team member:

• For parent and family support → Caitlin |  (780) 646-2087 |  caitlin@krekoskiconsulting.com
  
  

• For partnerships and organizational matters → Bri | (819) 329-8083  | brianna@krekoskiconsulting.com 
  
  

Not sure who to reach? Write to admin@krekoskiconsulting.com and we’ll make sure your message gets to the right place.

Hi there! And WELCOME to our very first Blog Post at NEST.

 
If you found your way here you probably care deeply about kids - their confidence, their Well-Being and their Futures.  Well,  so do we, and thats exactly why we created the program, and why we are excited to share this space with you!

At NEST, our focus is simple yet powerful: we meet kids where they are. We know that every child—especially those who are neurodivergent—has their own way of moving through the world. Our role is to support them in building skills for self-regulation, confidence, and connection, while making sure they feel safe, seen, and celebrated!

One thing we notice again and again is how closely confidence and regulation are connected. When kids feel calm, connected, and supported, they’re braver about trying new things.  And when they try something new—even if it doesn’t go perfectly—they build confidence that carries into the next moment. It’s a cycle that keeps growing  with practice.

So what can we do as their support humans?  One gentle way is through a purposeful pause and a single word.  The next time your child says, “I can’t do this,” take a moment to breathe together (or just model a deep slow breath yourself),  then add a powerful word: “yet.”  That tiny shift—“I can’t do this YET”—reminds kiddos that their story isn’t finished, and they have room to grow. An obstacle is just something to grow through and learn from.

It sounds simple, but we’ve seen how powerful it can be. Over time, kids start saying it themselves, and you can actually watch their confidence in struggles grow.

That’s the heart of what we’re building at NEST: safe spaces for kids to practice these little skills that add up to a big difference. 

We’re so glad you’re here for our very first post, and we can’t wait to keep sharing stories and strategies to support kids in becoming their most confident, connected selves.

See You Soon!
caitlin 

Overwhelm is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — experiences for neurodivergent children (and grownups).

It’s often mistaken for bad behaviour, defiance, laziness, or emotional immaturity. But overwhelm isn’t a choice. It’s a nervous system response.

When we can see overwhelm not as a problem to fix, but as information to listen to, we can shift how we respond, and more fully help our kiddos.  

So what is neurodivergent overwhelm?

Overwhelm happens when the brain and body are taking in more than they can process at once.  And oftentimes what seems small or insignificant to an onlooker can feel extremely overwhelming to the child.

Overwhelm can come from:

• Sensory input (noise, lights, textures, crowds)

• Cognitive load (instructions, transitions, expectations)

• Emotional demands (social pressure, masking, fear of getting it wrong)

• Environmental stress (rushed schedules, unpredictability, lack of rest)

For neurodivergent nervous systems, these inputs can stack quickly — even when each one seems “small” on its own.

How overwhelm shows up (it’s not always obvious)

Overwhelm doesn’t look the same in every child. It can show up as:

• Emotional Storms or shutdowns

• ‘Sudden’ tears or anger

• Withdrawal, silence, or freezing

• Refusal to participate

• Perfectionism or rigidity

• Physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches

• Seeming “fine” all day… then falling apart at home

IMPORTANT NOTE -  none of these responses are manipulative or intentional.

They are signals that the nervous system has reached capacity, and coping mechanisms are offline. 

Why traditional responses often make it worse

When a child is overwhelmed, they are operating from a survival standpoint— not a logic one.  The prefrontal cortex has shut off, and a more primitive part of the brain is in charge.  

Common responses like:

• “Use your words”

• “Calm down”

• “You’re overreacting” or “It’s really not a big deal”

• “You were fine a minute ago”

…can unintentionally add more pressure to an already overloaded system.

Connection and regulation must come before learning, problem-solving, or behaviour change.

What TO DO instead

Supporting overwhelm isn’t about eliminating all stress — it’s about building safety, predictability, and capacity over time.  (And doing what we can to minimize stressors where and when possible) 

Helpful supports might include:

•   Fewer transitions and clearer routines

•   Quiet, sensory-friendly spaces

•   Choice and autonomy where possible

•   Movement, nature, and play

•   Co-regulation with a calm adult

•   Language that validates feelings without amplifying them

•   Space and time

Sometimes the most powerful support is simply saying:

“I see you. We can slow this down.”

When children feel safe and understood, their capacity to manage emotions and stress grows naturally. Confidence follows regulation — not the other way around.

Once a child is calm and regulated is an ideal time to talk about strategies: what helps them feel safe, how stress shows up for them, and what support they may need in a difficult moment. I find that having those conversations in low-pressure, everyday moments —  I like chatting in the car or during a walk — often work best.

If you’re reading this and recognizing yourself as much as you are seeing your child in this — you’re not alone.

Caregivers of neurodivergent children experience overwhelm too, often while holding everyone else together.

You’re not failing.

You’re responding to a system that wasn’t built with you or your child in mind.

See overwhelm as information, not defiance. Slow down, co-regulate, and validate — confidence follows regulation.