Education Program
Young children learn through play. Play is vital to the normal development of a child. More is learned through play than by any other means.
Children’s involvement in stimulating activities enhances their overall development. Our fundamental goal is helping the children learn more about themselves and the world around them through creative play experiences. The following are some of the benefits and skills we see emerging from this play:
- initiative, satisfaction and confidence
- social skills
- skills in manipulating and coordinating
- language and expression
- mastering basic concepts
- increased curiosity and discovery
- self help skills and empowerment
Throughout the centre you will notice several areas. We have blocks, table toys, dramatic play, sand or water play, art corner, books, puzzles and music. These areas are designed to encourage your child to grow in all areas of development such as; intellectual, social, physical, emotional and creative selves.
ELC Program Description
The C&S ELC is a play-based early learning program designed to support holistic growth and development. Our approach encourages critical thinking, independence, self-care for the mind, body, and soul, and the development of life and social skills. Empathy, compassion, and heart-centered awareness are intentionally modeled and practiced throughout the day.
Working with a revolving calendar – On a daily/weekly/monthly basis (depending on the lesson), the C&S ELC Program students will experience:
- Cooking/Baking lessons
- A Nutritional Learning Program (developed by Alicia Mazari-Anderson PHD)
- Arts & Crafts
- Daily outside play
- An Outdoor Nature Based Curriculum (2 days a week for half the year)
- Daily Heart Math Institute – Heart Focused Breathing techniques
- Soccer lessons
- Music/Dance lessons
- Yoga lessons
- Gymnastic lessons (at Delta Gymnastics)
- Swimming Lessons (at the Ladner Rec Centre with trained instructors)
Children’s involvement in stimulating activities enhances their overall development. Our fundamental goal is helping the children learn more about themselves and the world around them through creative play experiences. The following are some of the benefits and skills we see emerging from this play:
Throughout the Early Learning Centre you will notice several areas. We have a variety of toys, materials, and supplies to support a specialized program – blocks, table toys, dramatic play, sand or water play, art corner, quality children’s literature, puzzles, musical instruments & more. These areas are designed to encourage your child to grow in all areas of development such as; intellectual, social, physical, emotional and creative selves.
ELC Program Structure
July 1 – End of October (Outdoor Nature-Based Focus)
From July 1st through the end of October, we operate two fully outdoor nature-based program days each week: Mondays and Fridays.
On these two days, the entire class and all lessons take place outdoors, with the exception of:
- Lunch (indoors)
- Rest Time (indoors)
- Bathroom breaks
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays follow the same structured schedule; however, they are not fully outdoor-based, though outdoor play still occurs daily. Note: The ELC Gymnastics component starts in September.
November – April (Indoor-Focused Program)
From November through April, the daily schedule remains consistent in structure; however we don’t have any full-day outdoor classes.
- Daily outdoor play continues.
- Gymnastics continues until March, then it is replaced with Soccer.
- Cooking, Music, and Yoga continue on rotation (4 of each per month).
C&S Early Learning Centre Goals:
We believe children learn through interacting with others and experimenting with different mediums. Our environment allows children to explore the world around them in a safe and predictable setting. Children are encouraged to be independent, make choices and tap into their own style of learning. As children all learn differently, we strive to work with each child as an individual while also guiding them to work responsibly in a group setting.
Aside from children learning cognitive concepts, fine and gross motor skills and creativity, we feel that the child’s emotional life is crucial at this time in their development. Our staff team is committed to supporting your child as they learn to negotiate and interact with others. Children need positive reinforcement and encouragement as they explore their own feelings and the feelings of others. Children deserve respect and patience as they begin to develop a sense of empathy.
Daily Schedule With Times
July – October Daily Schedule
(Mondays & Fridays Fully Outdoor Except Lunch & Rest)
8:30–9:00 AM — Arrival and Free Exploration
9:00–9:15 AM — Gathering / Good Morning Circle /Heart Focussed Breath Work
9:15-9:30 – Bio (Bathroom) Break (*Thurs edit: 930-1030 @ Delta Gymnastics)
9:30–10:00 AM — Art Lesson
10:00–10:15 AM — Snack (15 minutes)
10:15–10:45 AM — Rotating Lesson: Music/Dance/ A Nutritional Lesson Program/or Yoga (30 minutes per lesson with 10-15 min before and after for discussion Prep)
10:45–11:15 AM — Heart Focused Breathing, Circle Time and Group Discussion (30 minutes)
11:15–12:00 PM — Outdoor Exploration / Free Play (45 minutes)
12:00–12:40 PM — Bio Break then Lunch (40 minutes – indoors)
12:40–1:15 PM —Heart Focussed Breath Work & Rest Time (30 min)
1:30–2:15 PM — Rotating Lesson: Soccer or Cooking (30 minutes with 15 min of discussion/prep)
2:15–2:30 PM — Snack (15 minutes)
2:30–3:30 PM — Outdoor Play / Inquiry-Based Learning
3:30–4:00 PM — Closing Circle and Reflection (30 minutes)
4:00–4:30 PM — Pick-Up Window
November – April Daily Schedule
8:30–9:00 AM — Arrival and Free Play (30 minutes)
9:00–9:15 AM — Gathering / Good Morning Circle/Heart Focussed Breathing (circle is 15 to 20 minutes in total) then Bio (bathroom) break
9:30-10:00 AM — Rotating Lesson: Gymnastics, Yoga, Music, A Nutritional Lesson Program or Cooking (*Thurs edit: 930-1030 @ Delta Gymnastics)
10:00–10:15 AM — Snack (15 minutes) – Heart Focussed Breath work
10:15–11 AM — Free Play (Indoor or Outdoor)
11–11:15 AM — Heart Focussed Breath work – Circle Time (30 minutes)
11:15–12:00 PM — Outdoor Play (45 minutes)
12:00–12:30 PM — Lunch (30 minutes)
12:30–1:30 PM — Heart Focussed Breath work-Story Time – Rest Time (60 minutes)
1:30–2:00 PM — Rotating Lesson: Soccer, Music or Cooking (30 minutes)
2:00–2:15 PM — Snack (15 minutes)
2:15–3:30 PM — Heart Focussed Breath Work Guided Play and Learning Centres (75 minutes)
3:30–4:00 PM — Closing Circle (30 minutes)
4:00–4:30 PM — Pick-Up Window
This schedule is flexible and may change slightly depending on the needs & emergent interests of our students as well as booking times for enrichment programs such as yoga, soccer, gymnastics, & swim lessons.