We offer two types of programs for 3 to 5 year olds.
- 3 to 5 Group Child Care are full-day programs.
- Preschool are 2 1/2 to 4 hour part-day programs.
These programs engage children in a wide variety of opportunities, experiences and activities including learning more about themselves, their peers and their community; building confidence, positive self-image and practicing self-help skills; communication and language development; sharing, kindness and cooperation; developing skills for managing emotions, creative thinking and decision making; and play, dialogue, problem-solving, creative expression, scientific inquiry and small group collaboration.
These programs are licensed by the Ministry of Health: Community Care Licensing, and operate under the Provincial Child Care Licensing Regulations.
Rhythms & Flows of 3 to 5 Year Olds?
VSOCC child care programs ensure children feel a sense of belonging, security and familiarity through flexible and individualized care and learning. A typical day consist of the following opportunities:
- Gradual arrival, hand washing and morning snack
- Play and learn through a variety of open exploration and small group activities, balanced with outdoor active play
- Wellness and self-help activities such as toileting, hand-washing routines, and cooperative clean up
- Lunch (optional healthy lunch program available for an additional fee)
- Rest and relaxation
- Play and learn through a variety of open exploration and small group activities, balanced with outdoor active play
- Wellness and self-help activities such as toileting, hand-washing routines, and cooperative clean up
- Afternoon snack
- Play and learn through a variety of open exploration and small group activities, balanced with outdoor active play
- Wellness and self-help activities such as toileting, hand-washing routines, and cooperative clean up
- Gradual departures
What is open exploration and choice?
Children are encouraged to develop their self confidence and love for learning through the freedom of choice and exploration. A variety of activities and learning centres are set up daily, including:
- Science and sensory activities such as sand, water, play-dough, clay and natural materials.
- Math and fine motor activities to explore math concepts such as sequencing, shapes and numeracy through puzzles, blocks, board games, building and construction activities, sequencing games and other manipulative toys
- Language and literacy experiences such as storytelling, felt stories, finger plays, reading, drawing and writing
- Open-ended creative exploration using various mediums, painting, drawing, collage and construction
- Dramatic play with dress-up, role play, puppet play, and pretend play
- Music, creative expression, dance and movement
Small Groups and Project Activities
Small group and project activities give children opportunity to build social skills and team work while exploring and learning together. Children are encouraged to participate in small group and project activities such as:
- Cooking, gardening and science and nature exploration
- Board and group games
- Language and literacy experiences
- Creative exploration through dramatic play, music, dance and movement
- Emergent projects which engages children in observation, reflection, planning and exploration of the group’s ideas and interests.