Early Learners Nature Playschool
Early Learners Nature Playschool is a play-based learning program with a strong focus on nature and the outdoors for children ages 3 and 4 years old. Our program goal is to care for, stimulate, and educate children through experiences and play in the natural world. This program is offered out of two different recreation facilities in the City, The Recreation Complex and Glenayre Centre.
Registration for the 2021-2022 Early Learner programs starts on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 8am.
About our Playschool
What is Nature Playschool? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Benefits of Nature, Play-based Learning |
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Source: Forest and Nature School in Canada, June 2014 |
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A typical Early Learners Nature Playschool Day |
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Your little one will arrive in their muddy buddy on a rainy, warm October day. The leaves have started to change colour and drop to the ground. The teacher shares a handful of leaves in a variation of colours with the students and asks if anyone can help identify the type of leaf it may be and highlight some of its identifying features. The children collect, sort and identify their own leaves and look into the treetops to see which tree they fell from and why it fell in the first place. After sorting and building the fallen leaves into size, shape, colour and discuss how some fit in all categories and some fit in only one or none, children will hear a story about trees, birds, and butterflies who live in and around the trees. Sitting in a circle under the shelter of the trees to wash their hands and get out their snacks, the children begin to share and listen to one another’s stories about their discoveries. After snack, they make "stick butterflies" with the found leaves and sticks and fly them around an open field next to the trees. The children discover that the field features a mud puddle they can play in. One child jumps into the middle, getting her boot stuck—a fact that she announces with relish. She’s a little frustrated when it won’t come out, so the teacher asks everyone how they would get their boots unstuck. The other children join in, standing around the edges of the puddle or splashing into the middle. There’s a stump of a tree beside the field, and one of the children decides that he’ll paint it with mud. Soon, many of the children are placing mud on the stump. All the while, our teachers are observing the student’s interactions, creations and participation in the days activities. At the end of the day children and teachers will regroup and sit down to reflect on the day’s events. Teachers will listen and document the interests and carry the theme or idea into the next lesson. Students will be dismissed with a question and the passion to share their new knowledge with their family. |
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What to Bring to Nature Playschool | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daily Supply List:
In colder weather, every child must bring daily:
Warm Weather Essentials:
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2020-2021 Playschool Calendar |
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Early Learners Outdoor Playschool Program follows the School District closure calendar including provincial and district-wide professional days, as well as spring and winter breaks. We are closed on statutory holidays.
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2021-2022 Playschool Calendar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Early Learners Nature Playschool Program follows the School District closure calendar including provincial and district-wide professional days, as well as spring and winter breaks. We are closed on statutory holidays.
**Please note: Playschool is in session on school-based non-instructional day |
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COVID-19 Measures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special measures will be in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including, physical distancing when possible and frequent hand washing. Please note that physical distancing will be strongly encouraged but not enforced, as some physical contact during games and activities is unavoidable. City staff responsible for planning and teaching Early Learners Nature Playschool will adhere to all provincial health and safety guidelines such as those outlined in the Recreation and Parks Sector Guideline for Restarting Operations published by the BC Recreation and Parks Association as well as B.C.'s Back to School Plan published by The Government of British Columbia. If you have any questions about the health and safety measures that will be in place for Early Learners Nature Playschool, please call 604-469-4715. |
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Contact Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Program Email: earlylearners@portmoody.ca Main office Phone: (604)469-4715 Playschool Supervisor: Deanna Haddon dhaddon@portmoody.ca or 604-469-4611 Playschool Programmer: Angela Blackall ablackall@portmoody.ca or 604-469-4715 |
Fees
The preschool term is September through June and follows the School District 43 closure calendar including provincial and district-wide professional days as well as spring and winter breaks. Preschools are closed on statutory holidays.
Recreation Complex |
If your child is three years old, the playschool program costs $103.67 each month and is offered on Tuesday and Thursday from:
Child must be three years old prior to December 31– no exceptions. If your child is four years old, the playschool program costs $158.11 each month and is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from:
Child must be four years old prior to December 31 – no exceptions. |
Glenayre Centre |
If your child is three years old, the playschool program costs $103.67 each month and is offered on Tuesday and Thursday from:
Child must be three years old prior to December 31 – no exceptions. If your child is four years old, the playschool program costs $158.11 each month and is offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from:
Child must be four years old prior to December 31 – no exceptions. |
Registration, Payment and Withdrawal
Registration |
Registration for the 2021-2022 Early Learner programs starts on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 8am. Students must be three or four years old prior to December 31. The first months payment is non-refundable and due at the time of registration. Children who are registered and complete the 3-year-old program are guaranteed a spot at the same location and time for the 4-year-old program. Registration is still required for the reserved space. Once registration has been completed, you will have seven working days to provide us with:
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Payment |
Fees can be paid in full or a monthly payment plan is available. Monthly payment plan can be made by credit card or Debit Mastercard and VISA Debit. Fees are divided into ten equal payments; therefore fees are the same each month and not prorated regardless of the number of holidays/professional days observed or date of registration. Your pre-authorized payment will be deducted on the first of each month. If the fee has not been authorized by the third working day of the month, this may cause your child's participation to be suspended until full payment is received. Additional nominal fees may be required for fieldtrips throughout the year. |
Withdrawal |
We require a 30-day, at first of the month, withdrawal notice. There is no refund for partial months due to vacation or illness. Withdrawal requests must be made directly to earlylearners@portmoody.ca September payment is non-refundable. |