The people involved in a program are just as important as the curriculum when choosing a childcare facility. Families want information about who guides their child, what happens during the day, and how they can support them when new milestones or big feelings arise. Ace Daycare’s approach is simple: a genuine partnership. Every interaction is anchored in transparency, open communication, and reliability, so that children feel safe and parents feel informed. At Toddler Daycare Thornhill, we treat you like a team. This partnership is woven into the routines we follow, our classroom culture and how we communicate every day.
Why Partnership is Important in The Toddler Years
Toddlers learn to play with their peers, separate themselves from their caregivers, and navigate new routines. They also begin to communicate needs. This represents a significant developmental leap that requires consistent communication between home and school. Children adapt better and feel more confident when families and educators agree on expectations, routines and strategies. This results in a calmer, more predictable experience, where children can focus their energy on learning, connecting, and exploring.
Our Toddler Program (18 months to 2.5 years old) at Ace Daycare is designed to provide a smooth transition into group learning. We respect each child’s temperament, pace and safety by introducing routines slowly. This groundwork lays the foundation for trust between child and educator, as well as between the educator and the family.
Clear transition plans and orientation:
- Review classroom procedures, lunch and sleep schedules, safety and allergy protocols.
- Share strategies for easing separations.
- Equip families with information on what to expect and how to support their child’s transition.
Daily communication:
- Brief updates on the day’s activities, meals, rest, and notable moments.
- Share new vocabulary, emerging interests, and peer interactions.
Open door for questions:
- Available to discuss nap adjustments, toilet readiness, and routine changes.
- Collaborate on a plan to ensure new approaches are consistent both at home and in the classroom.
Curriculum visibility:
- Show how themes and centres (Circle Time, Drama Centre, Arts & Crafts, Science and Sensory, Block/Building, Music, Movement/Yoga) tie to developmental goals.
- Make learning visible by using photos, samples, and concise notes to illustrate the skills being developed.
Transparency creates comfort. You can replicate the experience at home if you understand why we make certain choices, such as rotating puzzles to keep problem-solving fresh and using both small and large group activities to encourage discussion.
Communication That is Two-Way and Responsive:
Strong communication means we listen as much as we share. You know your child best. We invite that knowledge into the classroom every day.
Morning check-ins:
- Quick drop-off chats help us plan the day.
- Share how your child slept and any new updates we should be aware of.
End-of-day interactions:
- Review daily highlights and helpful insights.
- Note emerging interests, new friendships, and effective coping strategies.
Planned conferences:
- Formal meetings during the year to discuss progress.
- Cover language, social-emotional, fine and gross motor, and early literacy/numeracy foundations.
Consistent messaging:
- We share the phrases and cues we use (e.g., “gentle hands,” turn-taking, and trying new foods).
- Families can maintain consistency by using the same language at home.
We want to make communication easy and practical. We will suggest ways to continue the child’s fascination with pouring water at home. For example, supervised water play in the bath using different sized cups.
Building Trust Through Care
When relationships are warm and care is consistent, trust grows. The rhythm of our toddler classrooms supports security. Circle Time is used to share ideas, while outdoor play allows children to explore and move around; small group activities help build social and language skills, and a quiet corner encourages self-regulation and rest. The children know what is coming next, which helps to reduce anxiety and inspires curiosity.
We intentionally model empathy, problem-solving language, and cooperative behaviour. Toddlers learn to be confident in school when they receive predictable responses, such as calm redirection, clear encouragement, and encouragement of effort.
Circle Time:
- Builds community; children practice listening, turn-taking, and speaking in groups.
- Stories and songs support early literacy and social-emotional growth.
- Families can continue singing and doing fingerplays at home to help connect routines.
Jolly Phonics (Preschool/Kindergarten):
- A weekly specialist teaches systematic phonics as children grow.
- Provide at home activities that focus on letter sounds and fine motor pre-writing skills.
- Keeps families with older siblings (Preschool, 2.5–4 years; Kindergarten, 4–6 years) aligned.
Movement/Yoga and Music:
- Weekly specialist sessions enhance body awareness, coordination, and rhythm.
- Share playlists and simple movement ideas to extend learning at home.
Drama Centre and Arts & Crafts:
- Open ended play and creation foster language development and decision making skills.
- Tips for rotating materials and encouraging imaginative play at home without complex setups.
Block/Building, Puzzles, and Floor Toys:
- Strengthen spatial awareness, persistence, and problem solving.
- We model scaffolds like “try a different piece” or “let’s turn it,” and share phrases families can use at home.
Science and Sensory:
- Safe, supervised exploration of textures, pouring, cause and effect, and early scientific thinking.
- Offer simple sensory ideas (e.g., nature treasure basket, bin of dried pasta) and guidance for tidy, controlled play.
Every center has a purpose, and we strive to make that purpose clear and transparent. When caregivers understand the learning embedded in play, they can celebrate progress in concrete ways, “You stacked four blocks! You’re balancing and planning like an engineer.”
Setting the tone:
- The start and end of the day shape the overall experience.
- We make drop-off and pick-up calm, consistent, and predictable.
Drop off customs:
- Co-create a brief, reliable goodbye routine (e.g., window wave, hug and hand off, special phrase).
- If tears arise, we comfort and redirect with familiar activities.
- We share what helped and how long it took your child to settle.
Transitional items:
- A small comfort item can ease the shift into play.
- We maintain its security and utilize it as needed to support regulatory requirements.
Pick up reflections:
- Share one meaningful moment from the day (e.g., favourite song, new friend).
- Helps children leave feeling connected, proud, and ready for home.
Home and School Consistency
Consistency is the foundation of trust. We share our language when we reinforce gentle touches, or encourage toddlers to say simple phrases such as “my turn”, “help please”, and “please”. Children internalize skills when they receive consistent cues in different settings. It is the same for mealtimes, sleep schedules, and potty readiness. We offer guidance based on development when needed, while respecting each family’s unique approach to parenting.
Toilet readiness:
- Collaborate on timing and cues.
- Align on the language/vocabulary to use.
- Choose clothing that supports independence.
Nap adjustments:
- Gradually modify schedules together.
- Ensure enough rest so afternoons remain pleasant.
Big emotions:
- Agree on strategies like labelling feelings.
- Use visual supports and calm down baskets.
- Maintain consistent approaches between home and the classroom.
Safety is the foundation of trust. We adhere to strict safety and health protocols, ensure appropriate educator to child ratios and train all team members in emergency and first aid procedures. The classrooms are designed for safe exploration and supervision, using age appropriate materials. We inform families proactively of any changes to policy, weather related closures or school closings.
Rest and nutrition are also important to us. We offer toddlers balanced meals, snacks, and naps that are consistent and monitored. Routines for mealtimes and rest contribute to a smoother afternoon and happier pickups.
What a Typical Day Can Look Like in our Toddler Program:
Free play and warm welcome:
- Children arrive at inviting areas (books, blocks, sensory) to settle at their own pace.
Circle Time:
- Sharing songs and short stories builds a sense of belonging.
Outdoor play and snack:
- Fresh air, movement, and gross motor activity support strength and coordination.
Small group activities:
- Art invitations, Drama Centre role play, and interactive puzzles foster language and social skills.
Lunch and rest:
- Unhurried meals followed by a calm, consistent nap routine.
Afternoon centres and music:
- Rotating activities with occasional specialist sessions in movement or music.
Goodbye rituals:
- Reflect on a special moment from the day and prepare for pick up.
We share how your child spent their day and what captured their interest, so you have a clear picture of both learning and well being.
Growth in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Toddler Programs
The relationship grows as kids progress from our Toddler Program to Preschool and Kindergarten. Along with age appropriate challenges, you’ll see consistency in our approach warm interactions, well-defined routines, and intentional play. In order to foster early reading and numeracy, social skills, and self-help independence, our curriculum caters to the interests of preschoolers, who are naturally curious and problem solving. Kindergarten helps kids get ready for grade school by teaching them how to communicate, work in both small and big groups, and value their unique abilities. We provide families with progress reports and suggestions for extending learning at home at every step.
We also offer assistance with age group transitions, such as classroom visits, acquainting new teachers, and routine modifications. Children are less stressed and remain eager for the following phase thanks to this gradual approach.
Honouring uniqueness
Each youngster has a distinct personality, rhythm, and learning style. We pay close attention, provide options, and organize the surroundings to encourage both self-reliance and teamwork. We accommodate a youngster who does well with tactile sensory activities prior to group time. We provide opportunities for reading with peers in our quiet space or library if another child enjoys reading. You may identify and foster the same sparks at home by sharing these findings with families.
We also respect family and cultural customs. We encourage family contributions to make the classroom seem comfortable and welcoming, whether they take the form of beloved songs, native tongues, or noteworthy occasions.
What Families Can Expect From Us
- Timely, courteous communication in clear language.
- Thoughtful, developmentally appropriate, play-based learning.
- Consistent routines that support self-regulation and reduce stress.
- Warm, attentive educators who know your child well.
- Clear safety guidelines and proactive updates.
- An open invitation to collaborate on goals, strategies, and celebrations.
Are you considering enrolling or visiting?
We invite you to visit our school and learn about the daily rhythm of our classrooms. The best way to learn about our classrooms is by taking a tour. You can see how they support community, movement, creativity and quiet focus. You will see how educators encourage social interactions, sharing, comforting, helping and encourage children to express themselves with music, art and building.
Our philosophy is built on the belief that children flourish when adults move in sync with them. We create a circle of trust by being transparent with our practices, having daily conversations with families and following up on our promises. The children can sense this alignment. Children enjoy the day and make new friends.
We’d love to hear from you if you’re looking for a nurturing environment that values your voice and respects your child’s uniqueness. We believe that a strong partnership today will lead to confident learners in the future. This is what we strive for with each family we serve. Reach out to us and come visit when you are ready to see the difference. We welcome families looking for Toddler Daycare Thornhill into our community, which is built on trust, communication, and clarity.