The Magic of Good Early Childhood Education

Ilona Boyce founded the Heartland Agency in 1995 after a long career with the government in the area of Children’s Services.  She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

She has been a recognized advocate in her field, and has received the Early Childhood Professional Association Service  Award in Alberta. She has been a recipient of both the Woman of Vision Award in Calgary as well as the Mistress of Modern Award sponsored by Alberta Treasury Branch.

Ilona has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Calgary Drop In and Rehabilitation Centre as well as volunteer Chair for  the EvenStart  Children’s Foundation of Calgary.

Ilona’s professional goal has been to  advocate for all children, regardless of their circumstance , to ensure that each child is given the benefit of an “even start” in life.  While working  toward this goal, Ilona has developed a variety of programs for both children with exceptional challenges as well as those children who simply need care while their parents work.

Ilona has studied brain development, the effects of trauma on brain development and what makes for healthy children.  She has built this knowledge into both the Heartland and Evenstart programs.

She has also spent time studying children’s environments, seeing these environments as the “third teacher”.    Ilona looks forward to a time when these environments are reflected in all their programs and facilities.