Varsity, Calgary
Free parenting support
in Varsity
Varsity is a well-established community near the University of Calgary with great schools and family amenities. Your hub is Children's Cottage — they coordinate free parenting programs for families in this part of the city.
Your Starting Point
Your FRN hub: Children's Cottage
Children's Cottage is the hub organization for the West Calgary FRN zone. They coordinate all the free parenting programs available to Varsity families. This is who you call first.
- Address: 101-7930 Bowness Road NW, Calgary, T3B 0H3
- Phone: 403-830-3153
- Website: childrenscottage.ab.ca
Just call them. Tell them what you need, or say "I'm not sure what I need but I'd like to talk to someone." They'll guide you — that's literally their job.
What they do
Hub services include:
- Information and referral to the right program
- Connecting you with parenting classes nearby
- Arranging home visitation if you want it
- Youth mentoring referrals
- Rapid access counselling connections
All free. No referral needed. Ages 0-18 + their families.
West Calgary Zone Programs
Programs available near you
Varsity is in the West Calgary FRN zone. Here are the free programs available to your family through Children's Cottage and their partner agencies. Families Matter runs parenting workshops at northwest locations, and Big Brothers Big Sisters provides mentoring for kids and teens.
Parenting Classes
Family Life Education courses and workshops — multi-session parenting courses and single workshops on topics that matter to you.
Via Families Matter
Rapid Access Counselling
A single 75-minute counselling session — no waitlist. For individuals, couples, or families.
Via Kindred
Home Visitation
In-home, phone, or virtual support from prenatal through age 6. Focus on parenting confidence and child development.
Via Children's Cottage
Youth Mentoring
1:1 mentoring for kids and teens ages 6-18. Community and school-based options.
Via Big Brothers Big Sisters
In-Home Family Support
Resilient Families program — in-home support for families navigating challenges.
Via Hull Services
Available City-Wide
Also available to Varsity families
These programs are available to all Calgary families regardless of which zone you live in. They're run as overlay FRN zones specifically for Indigenous and immigrant families.
Cultural programming & traditional teachings
Elder support, ceremony, Indigenous parenting teachings, cultural child development, and home visitation grounded in traditional ways. Available city-wide through Miskanawah.
All Indigenous families welcome · No zone restrictions
Cross-cultural parenting & settlement help
Parenting in a new country is different. CIWA offers cross-cultural parenting classes, home visitation in multiple languages, preschool programs (HIPPY), and youth groups for immigrant families.
City-wide · Multiple languages available
Your Community
Other Calgary neighbourhoods with FRN pages
These are nearby communities in the West Calgary FRN zone and adjacent zones. Each has its own page with local details.
- Brentwood
- Dalhousie
- Montgomery
- Point McKay
- University Heights
- Hawkwood
- Scenic Acres
How to get started
Most FRN programs accept self-referrals. That means you don't need a doctor, social worker, or anyone else to send you. You can just call.
Step 1
Find your hub
You just did — your hub is Children's Cottage. You can also use the FRN Finder to double-check your zone.
Step 2
Call them
Call 403-830-3153. Tell them what you're looking for, or just say "I'm not sure what I need but I'd like to talk to someone." They'll guide you.
Step 3
Don't wait
Some programs have waitlists (especially home visitation). Get on the list now rather than waiting until things get harder. Early connection matters.
Not in Varsity? Find your FRN zone or browse all zones. Every Calgary neighbourhood has free parenting support available.