Preschool
The preschool program provides care for children 2.5 to 3 years old and maintains a ratio of 1 teacher to 8 children. The maximum capacity for this program is 24 children to 3 teachers.
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 preschool program also prepares children for Kindergarten and provides opportunities for children to foster their self-help skills.
The preschool 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 programs; feedback, ideas and suggestions are welcome.
The preschool program’s daily schedule is flexible and conducive to the needs of the children enrolled. If your child is toilet training, or has other needs we will work together to ensure your child’s success.
Each child’s daily report is sent through the HiMama app, information may include photos of activities and meals eaten.
Below is a glimpse of what you will find in our preschool program.
Circle Time
Circle 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
One (1) science and nature activity is planned daily in the preschool room. Real science begins in childhood curiosity, which leads to discovery and exploration with the teacher’s help and encouragement. In the science centre, children discover “how things work” by conducing simple experiments, testing, exploring, predicting and learning. Children learn through hands on experiences with various materials and books.
Sensory
Two (2) 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. The process of the brain organizing and interpreting the information they get from their senses provides a crucial foundation for later more complex learning.
Cognitive/Manipulative
Hands on learning experiences encourage children to think and learn about the world around them. Cognitive and Manipulative learning experiences may include matching, fitting things into each other, stacking and knocking things down.
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 preschool 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 for the preschool group. Book Centres are 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
Two (2) or more 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
Two (2) are more creative activities are planned daily in the preschool 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
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, please ensure your child has 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. *
Rest Time
Sleep and rest are major requirements for good health. Children nap for two hours as required by the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. Nap time provides much needed downtime for growth and helps children from becoming over tired. To help make sleep time a more calming experience for your child, please provide a blanket, pillow and if desired, a sleep toy.
Important things to bring:
- Reusable water bottle
- Extra change of clothes, underwear
- Diapers and wipes (if needed)
- Blanket
