Programs – Kids Co-Op

About Our Programs

We run 10 months out of the year, September to June, and offer both Toddler and Preschool Programs.

We hope to offer your child a variety of learning experiences; we will work to enhance your child’s social, cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, while building their self-esteem and self-worth. We feel that the activities that we have planned; games, songs, trips, crafts, etc., will make your child's learning experience fun.

Our programs are intended to encourage interaction and communication between children and staff in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate, foster the children’s exploration, play and inquiry, provide child-initiated and adult supported experiences as well as offer opportunities to create relationships with others within the program. We achieve this by implementing the four foundations of learning: belonging, well-being, engagement and expression.

At KIDS Co-op your child will be encouraged to be as individually creative as possible. Our staff work together to provide a warm, caring and stimulating environment for your child while at our school.

Our programs foster learning through play, exploration, and inquiry.

We provide environments and experiences for children to explore ideas and interact with others in play.

We encourage parents to ask questions and discuss any concerns they may have with the Program Director concerning your child’s development.

Toddler Program (18 - 30 months)

Our Toddler Program runs three mornings per week from 8:30 am to 11:30 am with sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Our toddler program is licensed for 10 children age 18 to 30 months. The teacher to child ratio is 1:5.

This nurturing, small group environment provides the structure that allows students to grow and learn while feeling safe and comfortable. The Toddler program uses hands-on exploration and social interaction to help your 18 month to 30 month old learn about his or her expanding world. Children in the Toddler classroom are encouraged to try and use their words to express their needs and wants. Emergent and play based activities allow for child-led learning.

Preschool Program (31 months - 5 years)

Our Preschool program offers both a half day and/or a full day option.

The half day program runs twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Our full day program runs twice a week, Monday and Wednesday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm .

We are licensed for 16 children; 31 months to 5 years of age. The teacher to child ratio is 1:8.

Our Preschool program is filled with investigation and discovery, where active and enthusiastic children can refine and expand their skills and knowledge. Through child led exploration, purposefully-designed learning environments, and enriching activities, we ensure preschoolers have joyful, appropriate, and meaningful learning experiences that lead to success in school and in life. As part of our Preschool Program, children will gain experiences in different activities that will foster social development, good manners, and responsibility. We help children develop skills in using writing tools, recognition of letters, shapes, and colours, socialization, body awareness, co-operation, participation, and language development

Our Program Statement

Kin-Huron Integrated Day-Nursery School Cooperative (KIDS Co-op) has developed a Program Statement that is consistent with the Minister’s Policy Statement on programming and pedagogy of the Child Care and Early Years Act. The Program Statement is based on ‘How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years (2014),’ understanding that learning through play is a child’s natural response and that when children are playing, children are learning. We believe that children must be nurtured in a warm, happy and safe environment, where every child feels comfortable, relaxed and secure. We promote safety, health and the general well-being of all the children in our program. We know that children learn best when their families, educators and the greater community is working together. We pride ourselves on respectful, open, ongoing communication about how we can all work together and best meet the needs of all of the children in our care. The staff of KIDS Co-op strive to be responsive, positive and reflective practitioners, who support the children and families in their care. We participate in ongoing Professional Development to ensure we are current in our profession. At KIDS Co-op we view every child as being competent, capable, curious and rich in potential.

Promote the health, safety, nutrition and well-being of the children

• KIDS Co-op strongly encourages families to provide healthy, nutritious snacks that follow Canada’s Food Guide. • Our daily program provides every child with access to drinking water throughout the day.
• Our daily routine includes limited transitions, eliminating any environmental issues that may cause undue stress to the child, unnecessary disruptions to play and reducing hazards that may cause injury.
• We are an allergy-aware space. Our current policy states that nuts, or any food containing them, are not permitted inside the School. This policy is for the protection of our guests who suffer severe life-threatening allergic reactions to these foods.
• Each educator is trained in Standard First Aid and CPR to support any incident that may arise during regular play.

Support positive and responsive interaction

• Educators provide age appropriate, child initiated activities that promote learning and growing.
• Staff will encourage children to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate; acknowledging that each child is competent, curious and rich in potential.
• At KIDS Co-op we have an open door policy where parents are welcome to visit the School at any time of day, join in offsite excursions or attend any special events.
• In early childhood settings, each moment that teachers and children interact with one another is an opportunity to develop positive, meaningful relationships.

Support positive and responsive interaction

Encourage the children to interact and communicate in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate

• Children are encouraged to question and explore, share their ideas and co-learn with their teachers.
• Staff model appropriate behaviours and support child to child interactions when conflicts arise.
• Comfort and nurturing are provided when children are needing help or just want a cuddle; quiet, cozy spaces are available in the playroom.
• Staff interactions and guidance support and encourage self-regulation.
• Staff help children to develop self awareness and build a skill set of strategies that can help them to calm their emotions and find appropriate ways to express themselves. These are all essential skills that contribute to future success in school, work and relationships.

Foster the children’s exploration, play and enquiry

• A variety of activities such as language and physical literacy, numeracy, music and outdoor play, science, nature, blocks and creative art are offered daily.
• Our programs are intended to: encourage interaction and communication between children and staff in a positive way and support their ability to self-regulate, foster the children’s exploration, play and inquiry, provide child-initiated and adult supported experiences as well as offer opportunities to create relationships with others within the program.
• All KIDS Co-op Educators, volunteers and placement students must adhere to a number of policies and procedures, the Program Statement as well as Ministry, Fire and Health Regulations.
• All Educators, volunteers and placement students will review the Program Statement prior to working in program with the children and annually thereafter or upon any changes or modifications to the Statement.
• Annual review of the Program Statement and these policies and procedures ensure our educators and volunteers are knowledgeable and prepared to handle any situation.

Provide child-initiated and adult-supported experiences

• At KIDS Co-op, we strive to ensure every child feels as though he or she belongs, is a valuable contributor to his or her surroundings, and deserves the opportunity to succeed.
• Play is children’s work and is essential to healthy development.
• Staff listen and observe children to develop a deeper understanding of children’s interests and perspectives.
• Programs at KIDS Co-op offer children ample opportunity to direct their play and explore new ideas and expand old ones.
• The role of adults in children’s play is to enhance the children’s experiences, not to take over or determine the direction of the play.
• Adults support ideas, provide resources and materials, and provide emotional support and encouragement.
• Children are provided with a wide selection of play activities, in group play settings as well as individual interactions.

Plan for and create positive learning environments and experiences in which each child’s learning and development will be supported

• KIDS Co-op educators strive to provide a positive, learning environment for the children, having each program engaging and filled with a variety of choices.
• KIDS Co-op supports a home-like environment for children and families.
• The goal of limited transitions in each program allows children to freely participate in their areas of interest and learning, both indoors and outdoors.
• It is our goal to provide an environment and experiences that support and build self-esteem through social, emotional, physical and cognitive play in an environment that is safe, fun, hands-on and play-based.

Incorporate indoor and outdoor play, as well as active play, rest and quiet time, into the day, and give consideration to the individual needs of the children receiving child care

• KIDS Co-op welcomes children of all abilities. Respect for diversity, equity and inclusion is vital for optimal development and learning.
• Staff of KIDS Co-op design a daily schedule that meets the needs of the children and provides for a balance of activities throughout the day.
• A quiet space to read, rest or relax is provided at all times during the day.
• Each day, weather permitting, children enjoy outdoor play. Learning to run, jump, balance, and take turns is a healthy way to participate in group activities while developing coordination and strength.

Foster the engagement of and ongoing communication with parents about the program and their children.

• KIDS Co-op encourages and practices open communication with families through but not limited to: emails, newsletters, open houses, telephone and in-person conversations, as well as inviting families to attend special events and field trips.
• We believe that families are experts on their children and sharing knowledge is integral to the success of your child.
• We aim to ensure families have the support of available, affordable, safe, reliable, high quality licensed child care for their children.
• We value respect, empathy, trust and care in all our interactions with families.

Involve local community partners and allow those partners to support the children, their families and staff.

• KIDS Co-op works with local community agencies and partners, such as the Public Library, Preschool Speech and Language, Bruce County Children’s Services, Public Health and more in order to support the children and families in our programs.
• We feel the community is a valuable resource and our educators plan learning opportunities to engage the community in our programs.
• KIDS Co-op supports volunteers and students from the community and provides placement, training, learning opportunities and practical work experience.

Ongoing professional development.

• KIDS Co-op is committed to ongoing professional development for our educators.
• What educators learn during professional development is brought back to the classroom and, in turn, strengthens the quality of our program.
• All educators are required to have up to date Standard First Aid and CPR.
• Think, Feel, Act: Lessons from research about young children is a great resource for all ECE’s. We strive to watch and reflect on These Videos often.

Document and review the impact of the strategies set out

• All current staff, new staff, volunteers and students review this program statement, prior to interacting with children, at least annually and anytime the program statement is modified.
• Each family is provided a copy of the program statement for their review and notified in writing of any revisions to this program statement.
• Policies and procedures are reviewed annually.
• Educators document observations on an ongoing basis to ensure that the approaches set out in the program statement are implemented.

Documenting and reviewing the impact of our program statement

• KIDS Co-op Nursery School recognizes that pedagogical documentation is a way for our program staff to learn about how children think and learn.
• Our staff make observations of children in the program and use this information to enlighten their future planning.

The purpose of our documentation is also:

• To value children’s experiences and help them to reflect back on those experiences in their learning environment
• To learn together with the children involving the meaningful adults in their life
• To reflect and monitor appropriate development as the children grow
• For program staff to co-plan with the children about learning
• To keep an open and ongoing dialogue with families about children’s experience
• A self-reflection opportunity for program staff, as they participate in continuous professional learning
• Promoting responsive relationships

KIDS Co-op’s Program Statement is reviewed annually by the Board of Directors to ensure that it is aligned with the Ministers Policy Statement.

Waitlist

If you are interested in having your child enrolled in our programs please join our wait list by creating an account on Bruce County’s One List & adding KIDS Co-operative Nursery School to your profile. Select the icon below to redirect to Bruce County’s One List website.