The Owl's Nest Preschool 

At The Owl's Nest Tree Preschool we believe that a child learns through play. Preschool can commonly be the child‘s first foray into the social world and it is an important step. We encourage the children to learn through child-led, child-guided activities. If a child is interested in a particular subject we will try and weave this interest into our day. It is important to the children to see that we are interested in what they are thinking and doing.

Registration will be on an ongoing basis as we understand that circumstances change and life is not always on a nice planned schedule, this flexibility allows children to start attending if they move here mid-year or just weren’t ready at the start of the semester. If we have space we will do our best to integrate your child into the preschool setting. Children who are registered from the previous year will have the opportunity to register early for the upcoming year and will have priority for available spaces.

Children must be three as of December 31st of the year they are enrolled for a September intake, for a January intake they must be 30 months.

• *Fridays will be our outdoor exposure program day where the majority of class time will be spent outdoors.

Fees:

3 days/week $165/month
2 days/week $140/month

Fees for preschool will be reduced for children also enrolled in care at Silly Monkeys Daycare.

Contracted enrollment of 5 full days/week 50% reduction in preschool fees.
Contracted enrollment of 3-4 full days/week 25% reduction in preschool fees.
1-2 days of enrollment will not result in a reduction of preschool fees.

The Owl's Preschool Daily Plan and Activity Outline

Our daily schedule will be loosely planned around the sample schedule given below but will accommodate for extending and enriching activities as needed. If a child or children becomes fascinated with an activity, then other activities will shortened, extended or shifted as needed to facilitate a natural learning outcome.

Our philosophy is built on the foundation that children learn through play.

Free play will consist of playing in centres, hanging out with a book in the reading corner, engaging in free art or interacting in small group activities. Free art will be available every day at free play, age appropriate materials and supplies will be available for children to create as their heart desires, and an easel will be available with paints, paintbrushes and other mediums. Children are encouraged to don their own smock, clean-up after their workspace and themselves, this helps children gain independence and self-sufficiency. Centres will be available with a rotation of toys, games and puzzles. Sensory bins and/or water play will be a regular part of free play and will change on an ongoing basis to facilitate interest. Children are welcome to curl up to look at a picture book. Free play is such a vital time for kids, they gain independence, are able to make choices for themselves and it gives children and opportunity to socialize and gain social skills.

Circle time will incorporate songs, stories, cooperative games, yoga, finger plays and more. Circle time is such a wonderful time for the children to come together as a group where they can learn social skills, expand their attention span and listening skills.
During our structured art, cooking and baking time the children will have a chance to engage in process art as a group, learning to share, verbalize their needs and socialize. Cooking and baking can be such a great way to introduce math and science skills to little ones as well as taking turns, and patience.

Snack time is a "preschool family” affair around here, we will all sit down together including the teachers. Conversation will be encouraged and children will also be encouraged to open their snacks, clean-up spills and such to start their road towards independence. Of course if any child finds a task to difficult we will always be there to help and offer encouraging words.

Outdoor play will consist of organized games as well as free play. Weather permitting we will be able to enjoy a safe fenced in play yard with toys, sand and gross motor activities, such as trikes, and climbers.

Class Schedule:

*Outdoor Based Class is offered on Friday Mornings as part of the 3 day program, the program consists of structured and freeplay in an outdoor setting within our fenced play areas and through excursions into the nearby fields and forest areas.  the children will spend the majority of their class time outside on Fridays.