OttawaPrograms
A stimulating and challenging environment offers large and small group settings to allow children many opportunities to interact with their peers. Decision-making and problem-solving skills are also encouraged. Children are encouraged to practice self-help skills as well as academic skills throughout many different daily activities. Our Morris location also offers a Head-Start preschool program.
Arrivals and Departures
Caregivers work with parents to ensure that arrivals and departures are pleasant and reassuring for children. These times allow children to extend their bonds of trust they have with their parents to new adults.
Bodily Care Routines
In addition to strengthening bonds with children during bodily care times, caregivers also use them as opportunities to share control by finding ways for the children to play an active role. Caregivers fit these times around children's exploration and play. Frequency of naps is based around each child's individual needs, with quiet alternatives provided for non-nappers. Adults also accommodate children's individual styles of waking up. Similarly, adults take cues from children about feedings and diaper changes.
Group Times
During this time a small-group meets with an adult to experiment with materials and solve problems. Although adults choose a small-group activity to emphasize one or more particular content areas, children are free to use materials in any way they want during this time. The length of small-group varies with the age, interests and attention span of the children. At the end of the period, children help cleanup. Large-group time builds a sense of community by coming together for movements and music activities, storytelling, and other shared experiences. Children have many opportunities to make choices and play the role of the leader.
Choice Time
During this part of the daily routine, caregivers are attentive and offer emotional and physical support as the children play and explore their environment at their own pace. Caregivers tailor their response to children's ideas, engage in give-and-take communication with their children, imitate children's actions, support children's play with other children, and assist children with problem-solving. They also support older toddlers in planning and recalling their choice-time activities.