At Little Mountaineers we focus on each child's total development. This includes growth in the physical, intellectual, social and emotional domains. Through a variety of activities and materials we encourage children to foster their creativity, use their imagination, and have lots of fun in the process. The children's gross motor skills are developed everyday in gym time where running, jumping, and climbing are a daily occurrence. The children learn about the world around them through a program which fosters their curiosity and interests with play materials, art activities, books, stories, songs and excursions.
We offer two different programs: A two year old program and a three year old program. Preschool Program *Please note below is a typical schedule. Some activities and routines will be altered periodically.
The 2 year old children meet 2 mornings per week on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:15am to 11:30am. The 3 year old children meet 3 mornings per week on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:00am to 11:45am.
CREATIVE ROOM /CLASSROOM - painting, various art materials supplied, water play, play dough, dramatic play, blocks, free play, etc. ACTIVE ROOM (gym) - bikes, cars, climbers, balls, balance beams, slides, etc.
Also SNACK TIME and SMALL GROUP TIME are offered each morning.
The school runs Monday to Friday mornings from September to end of May/ first week in June. We are closed two weeks at Christmas and one week in March. We follow the Hamilton Wentworth Elementary School Year Calendar and all annual statutory holidays.
A Typical Morning At Preschool:
Arrival at School: Coats and bags are hung up. Children wash hands and are brought to their classroom to begin their day. Our morning welcome tells the children what is happening that day and who the parent volunteers are. Preschool Classroom: Children create individual works of art , sensory and dramatic play while participating in many activities such as painting, drawing, cutting, gluing, play dough, sand box, water table... the list is endless. There is also a reading corner and block shelf in this room. Snack: Children enjoy snack together in the 'snack room' where manners and socializing are encouraged. Gym: Children play in the gym area where their gross motor skills are encouraged with an array of toys from slides, ride on toys and obstacle courses (these are rotated every few weeks). If your child is in need of something a little more 'toned down' there is also a reading corner, a puzzle table, building blocks and dramatic play area. Group Time: Near the end of the morning children are gathered for group time. The teachers read stories, sing songs and play games with the children. Home Time: The children collect their bags for the arrival of their parent/guardian to pick them up.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY: Play is a vital part of your child's development. Play is the means by which he comes to understand the world in which he lives. Through play, children escape into a world of fantasy, learn skills, become confident and independent, discover how to use their bodies and minds and make social relationships. Little Mountaineer Cooperative Preschool offers a wide variety of activities that help foster your child's total development.
Fees (*Subject to adjustment under CWELCC)
FOLLOWING ARE A LIST OF FEES FOR THE PRESCHOOL YEAR (September - May incl.) Registration fee - $125.00 (base fee)* for all programs 2 Year Old Program - Monday and Tuesday Mornings from 9:15 - 11:30
Children will turn 2 during the first half of the preschool year (by the end of December)
$215.00 per month (base fee)*
3 Year Old Program - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Mornings from 9:00 - 11:45
Children will turn 3 during the first half of the preschool year (by the end of December)
$250.00 (base fee) per month*
*Limited spaces of non-participating members.
As a member in our cooperative preschool, families are required to participate in our programs. ‘Participating' means that the parent/guardian will carry out volunteer days in the classroom on some of the days their child attends school (typically 2 days per month). *There is an additional monthly (non base) fee for nonparticipating families.
All families have a 'membership job' to carry out throughout the school year whether or not they are participating.
Our Outdoor Play Area
As well as our classroom and gym, we also have access to a spacious outdoor play area set up!