The day begins with circle-time, where the children share how they’re feeling, what they’re thinking, and decide together how they would like the day to go.  Then they have a snack and get ready for the morning outing in the community (public parks, soccer field, Jean Talon market, Marc-Favreau library, gym, community garden, and other spaces).  They return for lunch, do the dishes, brush their teeth, and participate in a storytelling.  

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Theme-related activities are the focus of the afternoon, often in the form of stations that the children explore.  Afterwards, they are likely to be outside again from May to October at the park around the corner. The day is wrapped up with another circle-time, and the children are invited to play freely until their parents arrive.

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You might be wondering...

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Do the children nap?

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If they need it!  There is a regular rest period between 1:00 and 2:30 during which time some children do fall asleep.  Those who do not fall asleep after 45 minutes of quiet rest on their mat are invited to get their “quiet box” which contains independent activities and silent toys brought from home, for example, paper and crayons, stickers, books, puzzles, etc.

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What skills are the children aiming to acquire independently at preschool?

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We help the children become independent when getting dressed for outdoors, when using the washroom, when clearing their plates and washing up, and when brushing their teeth.  We also accompany them as they learn to manage conflicts, express their needs and emotions verbally, and take care of the people and materials around them.

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Are there any moments of formal studies?

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At this age, formal studies, meaning systematic and intentional education (ie. where the teacher expects the student to accomplish a given activity or lesson with an intended outcome), are not our main focus.  We are proponents of informal education (ie. where children and adults interact in a natural way and learn from experience). 

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However, we certainly do not say no to a child who initiates any form of learning, including instruction-based activities (for example, worksheets from a magazine).  We do organise activities, especially theme-based, which require group participation, and encourage all children to join in. 

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Are there any field trips?

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There is a field trip every month in connection to the monthly theme. Parents and other family members are welcome to join. The commute may include public transportation, and the outing will usually be a half-day only.

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How will the progress of my child be communicated to me?

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Day-to-day communication is done through the child’s agenda and in person. Parents may request an observation report in February and/or August if they would like written observations of their child in the preschool setting. However, we do not do any regular, official evaluation of the children.

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Why a multi-age learning community? 

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Our classroom is set up to allow children with different ages, talents, and abilities to interact with each other. These interactions push children to their maximum potential, for they need to seek out the expertise and knowledge of their classmates, regardless of their age.  The older children role-model behaviour and master competencies by teaching the younger children. The younger children aspire to the maturity around them and surpass their age-level in their areas of interest.

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What themes do you explore?

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Here are some examples of our monthly themes :

Science – magnetism, robots, pullies, the human body

*outing to the Science Center

Theater – puppets, costumes, mimes, circus 

*outing to a clown show

The Forest – rocks, flowers, forest layers, micro-organisms

*outing to Mount Royal