At our preschool, we believe that your child’s early education should be a journey of self-discovery that prepares them for the future. Our child-centered program focuses on emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and language development to ensure a well-rounded education.
Join us on this exciting journey of learning and growth!
Montessori
Montessori education is a unique approach that emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and collaborative play.
In Montessori classrooms, children are encouraged to make creative choices in their education, while the teacher provides age-appropriate activities to guide their learning process.
With a highly trained teacher and a supportive classroom environment, Montessori education can help children develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Early Learning Foundations
We are proud to be a participating ELF Preschool. Through this program the North Vancouver School District (NVSD) recognizes our Preschool as providing programming that is designed to give children positive and constructive learning experiences that nurture their individuality while preparing them for grade school.
We are acknowledged by the NVSD as providing quality, universally inclusive, accessible, and developmentally appropriate early childhood learning, one that is a critical part of the local community. The learning is directed by the ELF Guiding Principles and Practices.
Unstructured Play
Our classroom is designed to encourage creativity and imagination in children through free play. We offer a variety of non-Montessori toys, games, and activities that children can choose to do on their own or with others.
By exploring the classroom and engaging in play, children can practice and master new skills, process information, and enhance their social, language, and dexterity.
Curriculum Areas
Practical Life Activities
Designed to help children become independent and capable in caring for themselves and their environment. Activities support the development of concentration, coordination, order, and independence through real-life tasks such as self-care, care of the classroom, food preparation, and grace and courtesy.
Sensorial Materials
Designed to isolate, compare, and classify perceptions of sound, smell, colour, texture, size, and shape. These materials help children organize and refine their sensory experiences, supporting the development of inner mental order and precise language for describing the world around them.
Language
Language-based activities support the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through meaningful, age-appropriate experiences.
French is introduced in a playful and engaging way through games, songs, and hands-on activities.
Math
Math materials are used for hands-on exploration of numbers and quantities, supporting skills such as classifying, estimating, number recognition, patterning, shape recognition, number rhymes, and early measurement concepts.
Science
The program explores a wide range of themes such as animals and insects, space, the elements (fire, water, earth, air), plants, sea life, and more.
Simple science experiments are regularly introduced during circle time and then made available for children to explore independently and revisit through hands-on materials.
World Cultures
Culture is thoughtfully woven throughout all areas of the program. Children are introduced to geography, art, and music, and our bookshelves feature stories from around the world.
Families are warmly encouraged to share their cultures and traditions, enriching the classroom community through authentic experiences.
Art
Art experiences are open-ended and process-focused, allowing children to explore creativity through a variety of media.
Activities reflect seasonal changes and special occasions, and during warmer months children are encouraged to create outdoors using materials such as paint and chalk.
Music & Movement
Songs, rhymes, games, and dance are used to introduce children to musical awareness and rhythm.
The program includes weekly visits from an outside children’s music specialist, along with daily singing and movement experiences led by classroom teachers.
Outdoor & Active Play
Just outside the preschool entrance, children have access to open fields and treed areas on the elementary school grounds, which we make every effort to use daily, weather permitting.
Indoors, children remain active through circle games, creative movement to a variety of music, and engaging movement-based activities.
The strength of even the smallest children is more than we imagine, but it must have a free play in order to reveal itself.
Maria Montessori