Preschool Programs

Preschool “Seeds” Program

Ages 18 months to 2.5 years

Our toddler outdoor learning program provides children from ages 18 months up to 2.5 years with opportunities to engage with nature on a regular basis. Our full-day child-led, inquiry-based program will focus on developing social, physical, cognitive, creative, and emotional well-being while fostering a connection with the world around them. We offer small class sizes (1:5 ratio) which provides educators with the opportunity to connect with and build upon children’s learning in our unstructured-play environment.

Preschool “Roots” Program

Ages 2.5 to 4 years

Our Preschool outdoor learning program will prepare our students for Kindergarten, with references to the Ontario Kindergarten curriculum as well as the Forest School Curriculum while introducing other learning theories to reinforce learning. We offer small class sizes (1:8 ratio) which provides educators with the opportunity to connect children with nature and build upon children’s interests while providing teacher-directed opportunities and offering an unstructured-play based environment. Our days vary throughout the week with two mornings (Tues/Thur) immersed in Nature offsite. Free play is an important aspect of our program and children are given time each day to explore and engage freely (in the Forest and at our home base).

We are a Licensed Childcare Centre under the CCEYA in accordance with the Ministry of Education. Please register for a spot on our waiting list https://niagara.onehsn.com and we will email if/when there is a spot available.

Sample Daily Schedule

8:30 am Arrival and free play
9:00 am Morning meeting
9:30 am Morning Snack/ transition to outdoors
10:00 am Go to the forest: or outdoor time in the yard (dependant on day of the week). Hike, explore, and investigate- Reference books, tools, loose parts, music, drama, and art supplies available.
11:40 am Mid-day meeting & sharing circle
12:00 pm Lunch
12:30 pm Nap/ rest period (2 hours)
2:30 pm Snack and transition to outdoors
3:00 pm Outdoor or indoor classroom exploration: Reference books, tools, loose parts, music, drama, and art supplies available.
4:00 pm Clean up and transition time
4:30 pm Home time

Before care and after care available, but must be booked in advance. Please inquire.

Sample Weekly Menu:

Lunches and snacks

Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Snack Homemade Granola with yogurt and seasonal fruit (vegan option available) Apple slices with cheese (vegan option available) Homemade whole grain apple-cinnamon Muffins with veggie and fruit smoothies Chopped veggies and hummus dip Homemade Granola bites with banana
Lunch Rice, black bean, avocado, with salsa and grain free chips Whole grain pancakes with fruit and 100% pure maple syrup. Homemade vegan chili with whole grain pitas Homemade squash soup and fresh whole grain bread & fruit sticks Whole grain vegetarian pasta with salad and cucumber dressing.
Snack Ants on a Log- (celery, raisins,
sunflower butter)		 Whole grain crackers and hummus dip Fruit salad with yogurt Homemade applesauce and whole grain crackers Zucchini brownies

New Catering Company – Vegan Express Catering from St. Catharines We strive to incorporate local, organic, GMO free, and whole foods in our vegetarian menus each week. Vegan Express Catering (https://vegan-express.square.site/) provides lunch each day, and snacks are provided by GAELC.