Morning Garden (for ages three through four years)
The Morning Garden program is a gentle start for children three to four years of age. We are licensed for full days under the Child Care and Early Years Act.
Morning Garden is a homelike space, free of loud colours and clutter. Toys are simple and made of natural materials in order that the child's sense of fantasy may be fully developed.
In each Morning Garden class, two teachers work together with a maximum of twelve children.
Morning Garden is developed around daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms. Children can anticipate daily activities and are given a chance to "breathe" in and out (there is a balance in individual/group, restful/active activity). A great deal of importance is given to free, imaginative play in Morning Garden. It is through play that children develop capacities for the future: creativity, problem solving skills, cooperation, flexibility, and imagination.
The program begins as the children arrive in the Morning Garden yard. As parents and children are greeted by the teachers, the morning begins with free play until all the children have arrived and said their goodbyes to their parents. Children busy themselves with seasonal tasks (raking, shovelling, gardening, etc.), building with wood, or playing in the sand pit. The children are free to explore and the play possibilities that each changing season brings, including splashing in puddles, playing chase, and rolling down our little hill.
There is a lovely song-led transition where everyone gathers for the morning circle. When this is done, we make our way inside, where we gather for a simple snack together, such as hummus and crackers, vegetables, and bread with fruit.
When snack is finished, children help to put away their dishes before beginning an hour of indoor free play while both teachers are busy caring for the classroom and observing the children. As play begins to subside the children are called to the table to take part in the day's activity, which could be beeswax modelling, painting, drawing, or bread kneading. Children are called from their play to make the room beautiful once again and everyone gathers for a short story told through puppetry.
Children and teachers then sit down for a healthy lunch of rice, porridge, vegetable soup, quinoa, and pasta, with added beans and legumes, plus fresh fruits and vegetables. After lunch, children who stay for only the morning are picked up. Children who stay for the afternoon will have rest time before heading back outside for outdoor play and dismissal.
Morning Garden is a homelike space, free of loud colours and clutter. Toys are simple and made of natural materials in order that the child's sense of fantasy may be fully developed.
In each Morning Garden class, two teachers work together with a maximum of twelve children.
Morning Garden is developed around daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms. Children can anticipate daily activities and are given a chance to "breathe" in and out (there is a balance in individual/group, restful/active activity). A great deal of importance is given to free, imaginative play in Morning Garden. It is through play that children develop capacities for the future: creativity, problem solving skills, cooperation, flexibility, and imagination.
The program begins as the children arrive in the Morning Garden yard. As parents and children are greeted by the teachers, the morning begins with free play until all the children have arrived and said their goodbyes to their parents. Children busy themselves with seasonal tasks (raking, shovelling, gardening, etc.), building with wood, or playing in the sand pit. The children are free to explore and the play possibilities that each changing season brings, including splashing in puddles, playing chase, and rolling down our little hill.
There is a lovely song-led transition where everyone gathers for the morning circle. When this is done, we make our way inside, where we gather for a simple snack together, such as hummus and crackers, vegetables, and bread with fruit.
When snack is finished, children help to put away their dishes before beginning an hour of indoor free play while both teachers are busy caring for the classroom and observing the children. As play begins to subside the children are called to the table to take part in the day's activity, which could be beeswax modelling, painting, drawing, or bread kneading. Children are called from their play to make the room beautiful once again and everyone gathers for a short story told through puppetry.
Children and teachers then sit down for a healthy lunch of rice, porridge, vegetable soup, quinoa, and pasta, with added beans and legumes, plus fresh fruits and vegetables. After lunch, children who stay for only the morning are picked up. Children who stay for the afternoon will have rest time before heading back outside for outdoor play and dismissal.
Morning Garden Schedule (Monday - Friday):
8:45 am - Drop off outside in Morning Garden Yard and Outdoor Play
9:45 am - Morning Circle, Transition Inside
10:00 am - Snack
10:15 am - Indoor Play, Art Activities
11:15 am - Story
11:30 am - Lunch
12:00 pm - Rest
2:00 pm - Rest Ends, Afternoon Snack
2:30 pm - Outdoor Play
3:30 pm - Dismissal
8:45 am - Drop off outside in Morning Garden Yard and Outdoor Play
9:45 am - Morning Circle, Transition Inside
10:00 am - Snack
10:15 am - Indoor Play, Art Activities
11:15 am - Story
11:30 am - Lunch
12:00 pm - Rest
2:00 pm - Rest Ends, Afternoon Snack
2:30 pm - Outdoor Play
3:30 pm - Dismissal
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Weekly Care Options:
Please contact our office for a personalized tour. We look forward to hearing from you! Email: [email protected] Phone: (613) 542-0669. |
Please Note:
The Morning Garden program takes place in the licensed classroom and the licensed play yard. Once the children are settled in the school year, the teachers will bring the children on short walks around the school perimeter. We are closed for two Professional Activity days, two Professional Development days, two weeks over the winter holidays, two weeks for March Break, and all statutory holidays. We do not offer camp programs for Morning Garden during PD Days and holidays. Our program does not operate over the summer. |
