Our 3 – 4.5 Preschool program is play-based and child-centred; children are encouraged to investigate,
explore, discover and learn. Educators plan programs and activities based on children’s interests.
Learning happens when children are interested in a theme of study if it is made fun and exciting for
their level “Pacesetters” is where active and enthusiastic children can expand and refine their skills and
knowledge.
Through intentional teaching practices, with purposefully designed learning environments and
enriched activities, educators ensure preschoolers have joyfu~ appropriate, and meaningful learning
experiences that lead to success in school and life. We focus on kindergarten readiness by continuing to
implement play-based learning. Play allows children to actively explore, manipulate, and interact with
their environment
At this Leve~ educators start to focus on the following areas:

  • Beginning reading and writing skills
  • Math and science concepts
  • Large and small muscle skills
  • Social and emotional development

We implement a fantastic program based on the children’s interests. We post a monthly plan
to inform parents about our focus/theme. We learn about the focus through stories, discussion,
research, and songs during circle time and memorable outings in the community.
Notifying parents about what their child is learning throughout the day will allow for
conversation at home, reinforcing teaching opportunities. We have an open-door policy, so
parents/guardians are encouraged to drop in at any time and join in their child’s play. We
encourage suggestions, ideas or help with our program if desired.

We believe that school readiness is shown in several ways, all of which we work on:
Having dispositions like:

  • Confidence, courage, and curiosity- a sense of interest in the program and belonging
    within the preschool
  • Trust and playfulness; being involved with the program and feeling well-being within
    the preschool Being able to have a silly joke with the educators or their friends.
  • Persisting with difficulty and challenge.
    •Communication-the confidence to express an idea, feeling or point of view (to adults or other children).
  • Contribution- taking responsibility for their actions, justice and fairness and
    understanding others’ points of view.
  • Independence- being able to separate from family (sometimes for long periods- up to
    an entire school day).
  • Building independence skills:
  • Use the bathroom
  • Put on their jacket, mitts, hat, etc.
  • Get their lunch kit and open their lunch containers/ packages.
  • Walk 10-12 blocks
  • Hold a pen, pencil or paintbrush.
  • Use scissors
  • Identify their name and begin to reproduce it
  • Clean up their space, e.g., after snack time or play area.
  • Join in circle time:
  • Sit quietly within a group
  • Engage in activities
  • Raise hands, wait their turn to talk
  • Follow instructions for games or new projects
  • Learn through repeating- songs, poems, rhymes, dances
  • Take turns with activities
  • Being able to recognize different letters, make the sounds, and eventually form the
    shape on paper.
  • Being able to recognize different numbers and eventually form the shape on paper.
  • Children can regulate their emotions- anger, happiness, stress, frustration, etc. and
    have some strategies to use when they become heightened. (Even as an adult, it is tricky to do these things sometimes!)
  • Socializing and making friends in a group situation.
  • Learning about days of the week, months and weather.