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About Our Philosophy We believe that children learn best when they play. There is an inherent need in children to explore the world around them with curiosity. As they build block towers they learn about balance and gravity. As they mix paints they learn about colour blends and composition. Children develop social skills and language skills as they play dress up or house with their friends. Their cognitive and motor abilities strengthen while they build train tracks and Lego. Children are continuously learning as they engage with their environment and explore the world. We plan our school days with time for both free and structured play. Each area in the school – both inside and outside – has been carefully prepared to support the children as they engage their minds and bodies in creative and active play. “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn.” ~ O. Fred Donaldson Play is the foundation of learning in the early years and informs all aspects of our curriculum… …art activities teach self-expression. …cooking projects teach math concepts. …science experiments teach observation skills. …puppet shows teach a love of language. Your child will have the opportunity to learn the way she is meant to, hands on. He will be excited about his school day, knowing it will be filled with adventure and exploration. Children are meant to play and at Seymour Heights Play-Based Programs we honour that. “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” ~ Fred...
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Our Program Full Day Program Our Full-Day Program allows parents who need extended childcare to enroll in our wonderful school and be a part of our community. 3 year olds and 4 year olds are both welcome in this program with the opportunity to attend 2, 3 or 5 days per week. The mornings will be filled with free-play, music classes, hikes in the woods and our enhanced learning with our morning preschool class. Your child will have the opportunity to adjust to a full class size similar to what they will experience in Kindergarten. The afternoons will be a little quieter (as quiet as it gets with 3 and 4 year olds) with just 10 students. We look forward to filling these hours with yoga, books, outdoor play and small group activities. The program runs from 7:45am to 5:15pm, making it ideal for parents who work a full-day. Two snacks (morning and afternoon) will be provided. The children are expected to bring their own lunches. There are 2-day and 3-day spots available. However priority is given to families interested in 5 days per week. Classes run year-round, closing for one week over winter break, one week in the summer, and all statutory holidays. You can find registration information here and contact us if you’d like come in for an Observation Day. What is the PBP component of the Full-Day Program? Parents with children in the Full-Day Program are active members of our community. They help run the school by doing a job of their choice but are not asked to do duty days. Of course if they want to come have fun with the kiddies they are definitely...
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Our Program Morning Program Our morning program has been a foundation in the development of Seymour Heights families for over 50 years. Filled with opportunities for playing and learning, our Morning Program is the perfect place for 3 and 4 year olds to prepare for Kindergarten. Your child gets everything he deserves out of a preschool program: lots of one-on-one adult support, enriched learning environment, daily outdoor play and a bunch of new friends. There’s no better place to be a kid in North Van! The Morning Program runs from 9 AM to noon with the children enjoying a healthy snack part way through the morning. Both teachers and parents support the children in their exploration and learning through art activities, science experiments, music classes, dress-up… the list could go on and on. Classes run from September to June, closing over winter and spring breaks, and all statutory holidays. Please check out the registration details and contact us for more information. What is the PBP component of the Morning Program? Parents who enrol their children in the Morning Preschool Program will be asked to participate in 1-2 duty days each month and help run the school with a job of their...
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Our Program Enhanced Learning We offer unique programming options for our students to explore the beautiful world around us. We take our students outside of the classroom as often as we can, giving them the opportunity to enjoy hands on learning in museums, parks and other child-friendly areas on the North Shore. This enhanced programming allows for learning through action AND observation – whether they are examining rocks in the forest or learning about butterfly larvae at the local ecology centre. Hands-on learning is a foundational component of our curriculum. Grocery Store Cates Park Transit Trips Butterfly Larvae Release Post Office “Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls.” ~ Erin Kenny We enrich the learning opportunities for the children in playful and meaningful ways. Some of this extra fun happens in the classroom as well. When we want to get our giggle-on we have “backwards-silly” day. Once a year children can invite someone they love to join them for “Special Person’s” day at the school. We also celebrate most holiday events with classroom activities. Come join in on the fun! Museum Sibling Day Gardening Thank You Tea Skating “If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” ~ Rachel...