Transitioning from home to school is an exciting chapter of a child’s life, and at Ace Daycare in Thornhill, Woodbridge, Mississauga and Tottenham, we recognize its significance and take great care to prepare each of our young students for this next phase. Through customized programs designed specifically for their age groups, we ensure academic and social success!
Starting off the process is our Toddler Program, with its primary aim being to introduce children gradually into social settings while gradually implementing routines and schedules. Because transition can be both difficult and stressful for both children and families alike, we prioritize providing a smooth and comfortable transition by prioritizing communication among educators and families – trust-building plays a pivotal role in making sure children feel secure in a new environment. At our Toddler Program, we focus on the healthy development of children by offering all necessary resources and tools. Activities designed to promote socialization, fine motor skill acquisition, early language acquisition, and play-based learning are structured activities designed to assist toddlers in exploring their environment while learning basic social skills in a nurturing and supportive setting.
As children advance to our Preschool Program, our focus changes to nurturing confident and social learners. At this stage of development, children begin acquiring more complex social skills, behaviour management tools and a sense of identity through interactions. Our curriculum is tailored around children’s interests to stimulate and ignite a passion for learning.
Preschool provides children with an ideal environment in which they can explore new concepts, ask questions and problem-solve. At this critical period in their development, it’s essential that we provide all of the resources and tools required for optimal growth and development. Activities included in our Preschool Program include:
- Circle Time: Circle Time is an opportunity for children and teachers to come together, share ideas, and foster a sense of community. During Circle Time sessions, children engage in reading, singing and exploring the calendar while building listening skills and encouraging group participation.
- Jolly-Phonics: Jolly-Phonics is a weekly reading program presented by a reading teacher that helps build fine motor skills, letter recognition, and beginning reading readiness – setting students on their path toward academic success.
- Music: Weekly sessions in which children explore various musical rhythms and instruments foster an appreciation of music while honing cognitive and motor skills.
Our Kindergarten Program aims to prepare children for the transition to grade school by making this stage smooth. In addition to academic readiness, we emphasize cultivating important life skills such as communication, cooperation, and respect.
The kindergarten curriculum features both small-group activities and whole-group events to foster communication and collaboration skills while stimulating critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in children. Key components of our Kindergarten Program include:
- Drama Centre: Children can use their imagination in different themes, such as a doctor’s office, grocery store and school bus, to explore this play space that promotes creative thinking, language proficiency and social development.
- Arts & Crafts: Creative arts and crafts activities both child-directed and teacher-directed can foster children’s creativity and self-expression while at the same time providing them with opportunities to explore different themes or topics while honing cognitive and fine motor skills.
- Movement and Yoga: Our weekly sessions that explore creative movement through yoga and various forms of dance provide participants with opportunities to enhance gross motor skills, rhythm, imagination and physical health while improving well-being and well-being.
- Science and Sensory: Children can explore their five senses through hands-on activities involving water, sand and various textures of materials that stimulate all five senses. This hands-on learning experience promotes curiosity and scientific thinking.
Transitioning from kindergarten to grade school is an exciting yet daunting journey; our programs aim to ensure children are as ready for it as possible. By the time children leave our Kindergarten Program, they will have developed strong academic foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics, as well as important social-emotional abilities to embrace all that lies ahead! Our aim is for children to become confident learners prepared for whatever comes their way in grade school!
Communication between educators and parents is at the core of our approach. We keep families up-to-date on their child’s development while offering guidance on how they can support learning at home. This partnership between educators and parents ensures each child reaches his or her full potential. By emphasizing both academic and social development, we ensure each child is prepared for the next phase in education. At each of our daycare centers, we nurture individuality and foster confidence – setting each child on a path toward lifelong success!