3 year old, mornings (3am)
Thurs. & Fri. 9:15 - 11:30 $100.00

3 year old, afternoons (3pm)
Thurs. & Fri.12:30 - 2:30 $95.00

4 year old, mornings (4am)
Mon., Tues., Wed. 9:15 - 11:45 $135.00

4 year old, afternoons (4pm)
Mon., Tues., Wed. 12:30 - 2:45 $130.00

20 Children maximum per class
2 E.C.E. Trained Staff per class

Friendly Forest Preschool Daily Routine

We recommend arriving 5 minutes prior to the class start time to get your child ready for class. This will allow class to start promptly, demonstrating respect for your child, the other children, and the teachers. Each preschool session is structured with predictable routines that provide the child with a sense of security and competence. It is as follows:

Arrival
Children are greeted individually as they arrive. They may stop for a hug or to tell or show us something. Parents exchange last minute information with us concerning pick up, past illness etc. before leaving as quickly and quietly as possible.

Creative play
Children engage in activities in the different areas of the classroom, freely choosing what they would like to do. This is the most important part of the session for your child. We allot this part of the session the longest time.

Tidy-up time
Children are encouraged to help tidy the classroom and put the equipment away.

Circle time/Story time
The teachers and children gather together for another circle time and story.

Snack time
Children wash their hands before sitting and eating a shared snack.

Outdoor Time/Gym
Rain or shine!

Departure
Parents pick up children from outdoor area.

The above program is flexible. The same things happen more or less the same time everyday. The emphasis is on routine rather than sticking rigidly to times. If changes are made the children are told beforehand so that they still feel in charge. Please plan to be punctual for both arrival and pick-up.

Learning Activities

Classroom set up
We aim to keep the environment esthetically stimulating. Gifts of fresh flowers, plants or beautiful objects are always welcome. The room is divided into the following areas:

Library room
Nature table
Construction
Block area
Housekeeping
Art area
Table activities
Fine motor skills
Kitchen baking
Woodwork
Sand and water

Art
Open shelves with an array of different art tools and materials are available for the children to choose from and create artwork. The emphasis is on choice, decisions, and process, not product. Other open-ended art activities such as ice-cube, string or marble painting are also set up in this area. Exposure to the paintings of great artists such as Emily Carr and Chagall are present for inspiration.

Sensory Play
Children become scientists as they explore and experiment with the properties of sand, water, finger-paint, playdough, clay, cornstarch, shaving cream, bubbles, and colours. This play serves to soothe and calm; it also stimulates vital sensory input needed for conceptual understanding.

Nature
Our school pets are fish and “Lucky” our lovebird, who is free to fly around the classroom. We often have creatures such as crickets, stick insects, earthworms or snails, to investigate and observe. The children help to plant bulbs and flowers and take care of the garden by raking leaves, sweeping the paths, or watering the trees and flower beds.

Math
Children experience math in many different concrete ways throughout our classroom. They can play, count, sort, classify, match, measure, pattern, seriate, and form spatial relations with a variety of equipment and objects that are integrated in all of the activity areas.

Language and Emergent Reading and Writing
Rather than using formal instruction (e.g., flash cards, work sheets) to teach pre-academic skills, we use a developmentally appropriate approach called Whole Language which relates skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing to the child’s interests and experiences. We help children make the connection between the written word and communication by writing down their dictated stories and then reading them at circle time. We have a print-rich environment, which is incorporated into all areas of our curriculum. Children have access to writing materials and books throughout the classroom and are exposed to a variety of literature individually and in small or large groups every day. When children show an interest in wanting to write letters and words, they are given individual support.

Music
Children enjoy many forms of musical activities such as, singing songs, playing percussion instruments and dancing and listening to a wide variety of musical styles (e.g., classical, blues, rock, reggae, Celtic).

Woodwork Table
Children use real tools to hammer and saw in this area developing eye-hand co-ordination and problem solving. Because carpentry is seen as an adult activity, its’ inclusion in the classroom can enhance a child’s sense of accomplishment.

Outdoor Play
We are fortunate not only to have our natural outdoor play space where the emphasis is on sand and water play and gardening, but also a large playing field where children have lots of space to run safely or ride their bikes on bike day. We take the children on walks and picnics in the forest to hug the trees and learn about forest plants and animals. We have use of the school gymnasium to conduct mini gym classes with balls, hoops, & hockey sticks. This is also a time when we involve the children in creative movement and games using props such as scarves and streamers.

Field Trips
Field trips are used to complement our in-class curriculum and begin once the children are familiar with the preschool routine. The first field trip of the year is usually a trip to the Pumpkin Patch in mid to late October. We may also make trips to the local Library, local theatre, music and pet stores, beaches and parks. Children may also be introduced to public transit in the form of a bus ride either to or from one of our destinations.

It is the parent’s responsibility to drive your child to and from the designated field trip destination and home again. Your Class Representative will help to arrange carpooling for those wishing to do so. Parents and siblings are usually welcome to join us on our field trips. Should you choose to stay, we ask that you be responsible for your child and their safety. We ask you to do this because with so many adults (and possibly siblings) present, it is very difficult for the teachers to effectively supervise. If you do not wish to stay, please let the teachers know so that they can take over the responsibility of your child or pass the responsibility over to a parent volunteer. Often, we require parent volunteers to accompany us on field trips to help the teachers supervise the children. Please note that “parent volunteers” may not bring siblings.

There are typically 5 to 6 field trips for the 4-year-old classes and 4 to 5 for the 3-year old classes. The duration of the field trips is 1/2 to 1 1/2 hours plus travel time. We are open to and welcome to any suggestions and opportunities for appropriate field trips. Please let us know.