Jr/Sr Kindergarten

The Kindergarten program at Discovery follows a format similar to that of the other ages of children we serve. We offer educational programs immersed in nature.  We believe that children not only need, but have the right to, regular and repeated access to the natural world. We believe that being outdoors in beautiful, natural environments is an essential experience for all children. Research continues to show that nature reduces stress, increases attention span and fosters healthy brain development. It is critical to a child’s health and to the healthy development of the whole child.  

Discovery Child Care Centre offers an educational program as an alternative to the Ministry of Education Full Day Kindergarten Program.  As children are not required to attend school until grade one, children have the option to be enrolled full time in our Kindergarten program.

Our curriculum is child-directed, hands-on, play based, emergent, and inquiry-based.  A growing body of research has emerged that affirms that children ages birth through eight years learn most effectively through this approach to education.

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Room Schedule

The Kindergarten Forest & Nature School program at Discovery spends the majority of the day outside (in Veterans Woods Forest or our Nature Classroom).  The daily schedule is flexible and allows for playful learning. The flow of the day is based on the interests, needs, developmental level and abilities of all children.  There are a minimum of transitions & interruptions of the children’s play throughout the day.

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Room Structure

Maximum group size in our Kindergarten program is 26 children (ages 3.5  yrs - 5 yrs). The teacher: child ratio in our classroom is 1:13 There is an extra teacher that joins us in the forest.  Our curriculum is based on the Ministry of Education Early Learning Framework & Forest School Ethos.

Jr/Sr Kindergarten Information

We firmly believe that learning doesn’t need to be confined to 4 walls in the classroom. The children develop a sense of place through meaningful play experiences that are inspired by their own interests and curiosities (known as emergent curriculum).  This program spends three mornings per week in Veteran’s Woods Forest where educators support children in play, making connections to the land and investigating the biodiversity that the forest has to offer.

  • Small Class Size
  • 1/13 teacher child ratio while in the indoor/outdoor classroom.  We always have an extra teacher go to the forest with the group
  • A seamless day providing increased consistency for your child
  • Individualized program and educational curriculum
  • Lunch and snacks provided
  • Longer hours available (no additional before and after school care required)
  • Supervised playground (at all times)

Additional Child Care Programs

We have child care programs for various age groups from 12 months to 6 years.

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What is a Forest School?

A forest school is an outdoor education model that focuses on using outdoor spaces to help children learn personal, social and technical skills. To put it simply, forest schools take the learning outside.

Why a Forest School? Forest School Kindergarten