Before & After Kindergarten

The Before and After School Kindergarten (BAK) program provides care for children 4 to 5 years old and maintains a ratio of 1 teacher to 13 children. The maximum capacity for this program is 26 children to 2 teachers.

On instructional days, care is provided from 7:00am to the start of the school day and from the end of the school day to 6:00pm. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided, however a lunch is not provided on instructional days and parents are required to pack a nutritious lunch for their child.

On non-instructional days (PA Days, March Break, Winter Break, Summer Break), care is provided for children that are registered in these programs. Care is available from 7:00am – 6:00pm, lunch and snacks are provided on non-instructional days.

Summer Program is provided during the summer holidays. Care is available from 7:00am – 6:00pm, lunch, snacks and fun field trips are provided. Families who wish to withdraw their child from summer camp for either a full or partial withdrawal are subject to holding fees. Please speak with the Centre supervisor for more information.

Our Early Childhood Educators and Assistants provide a safe, caring and fun environment for your child to experience learning through play. We provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences and focus on children’s interests and needs by following an emergent play-based curriculum.

The BAK program plans are posted for parents to review and see what learning experiences have been planned. We encourage parents to be active partners in our program; feedback, ideas and suggestions are welcome.

Each child’s daily report is sent through the Lillio app, information may include observations and photos of children’s activities.  

Important Note

If at any time parents pick up their child from school or if the child is absent, it is very important to inform the child care centre. If the child is not at the designated spot, then we must begin the process for a missing child search and a serious occurrence will be required to be registered.

Group Time

Group time is planned daily to talk about different topics that children are interested in. Children have the opportunity to read different stories, sing songs, learn finger plays, games and participate in show and tell. Circle time provides children an opportunity to develop their language and listening skills, cooperation, confidence and self-esteem. Planned circle time activities are indicated on the classroom program plan.

Science and Nature

Science and nature activities are planned daily to provide opportunities for discovery and exploration. Children can experiment on “how things work” and learn through hands on experiences with various materials and books.

Sensory

Sensory activities are planned daily to offer children a variety of sensory experiences. Some sensory experiences may include play dough, goop, water, sand and MORE! Children explore different senses by touching smelling, seeing and hearing things surrounding them.

Cognitive/Manipulative

Hands on learning experiences encourage children to think and learn about the world around them. Cognitive and Manipulative learning experiences may include a variety of puzzles, matching games, sorting, classifying, math and board games.

Dramatic Play

Educators plan a focus each week and provide children with an opportunity to dress and take on different roles as they use their imaginations. Costumes and play materials from different cultures are made available for children to explore. In the BAK program, children also create their own props to be used in the dramatic area.

Book Area

The book area is typically a quiet and calming area where children are able to go and escape the busy classroom. Language and Literacy activities are planned daily and educators ensure the book centre is filled with books based on children’s interests. Books are offered in different languages, topics and are developmentally appropriate. The Book area is set up to incorporate other learning materials, such as a listening area, puppets with a flannel board and more. Educators make reading fun!

Blocks & Construction Area

Learning experiences are planned in the block centre weekly. The block centre is a source of hands-on learning and is always a very busy part of the classroom. An assortment of blocks and building materials are available for children to explore, providing them opportunity to develop motor skills, concepts, simple math, measuring, sorting, classification and sharing.

Creative Arts

Creative activities are planned daily in the BAK program and a variety of collage making materials, along with 3-D materials and drawing tools are available for children in the creative area. Being creative allows children to express themselves without any right or wrong. Every child’s art work is unique to them and the experiential process of art is more important than that of the finished product in early education. Look for your child’s masterpieces displayed around the classroom.

Outdoor Play

On non-instructional days, children go outdoors and play for at least 2 hours a day, weather permitting as required by the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. With our changing climates, it is important that children wear the appropriate attire and accessories for going outdoors.

  • Summer: Sunscreen, glasses, hat, sandals (no flip flops)
  • Rainy days: Rain boots, raincoat
  • Winter: Coat, boots, snow pants, gloves, scarf, and hat

*Outdoor Playtime is minimized when there is SMOG, EXTREME HEAT/COLD warnings or when the AQHI is 7 or higher. *

Important things to bring:

  • Reusable water bottle
  • Extra change of clothes, underwear