Alpha’s Discovery Kids Preschool and Daycare has created an exceptional program to develop the whole child through an emergent, inquiry-based curriculum to achieve academic success. We provide child-initiated and teacher-supported learning experiences to foster children’s natural curiosity, exploration, play and inquiry. We observe and follow the children’s individual interests and plan experiences to maximize learning and children’s well-being. We believe in focusing on the individual child and plan according to each child’s unique strengths and areas of development. We focus on our four pillars of learning: Language/Literacy, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), physical activity/nutrition and mindful awareness.
As part of our language and literacy program, we follow the acclaimed Jolly Phonics literacy program. The Jolly Phonics program has been proven to encourage early reading and writing skills in a fun and creative way. Jolly Phonics focuses on learning letter sounds and formation, then blending those sounds to read words.
As part of our STEAM program, we offer many opportunities for children to create, build and explore the world around them through curiosity, inquiry and discovery. We use the scientific process to solve problems. We use technology wisely to enhance learning. We engage in engineering projects where children build and construct things of interest to them. Art is an essential component that allows children to use their creativity to express themselves and solve problems. We build fundamental math skills such as problem solving, predicting, matching, sorting, counting and spatial awareness.
We offer lots of opportunities for physical activity both indoors and outdoors. Our secure outdoor playground is designed to engage the children in activities that promote active movement and physical activity. We teach children about the importance of nutrition to keep their bodies healthy and offer healthy food choices from all the food groups.
At Alpha’s Discovery Kids, we encourage children to develop self-regulation skills. Through mindful activities, they learn how to remain calm and return to a state of calm in stressful situations. This allows them to control their emotions, pay attention and ignore distractions. Our teachers coach children on how to handle stress and support them in expressing their emotions.
Our students come from various backgrounds and speak many different languages. Many parents recognize the importance of introducing children to Canada's second official language, French. Our preschool offers French language activities every day starting at the age of 2.5 years. Children love to sing French songs to learn the alphabet, numbers, colours and basic words to communicate in French.
Children participate in extracurricular activities as part of the regular day such as the award-winning Kindermusik, Yoga or Zumba programs once per week.
Our preschool and daycare program is designed to encourage children to explore using their natural curiosity about the world around them as well as express themselves creatively through music, dance and visual art.
We believe that children learn through meaningful inquiry-based play experiences. Play experiences are a child’s work. While participating in an activity, a child is constructing knowledge and learning about the world around them. At Alpha’s Discovery Kids, we have created a learning environment that encourages children to freely explore and choose which materials they would like to use independently in each planned interest area such as blocks, reading, writing, dramatic, science, sensory and art areas. While exploring in the interest areas, children will develop physical, cognitive, language and social skills. This is the ideal learning environment as children are encouraged to explore, inquire and make choices and decisions whenever possible. Teachers work with each child individually to build on their strengths and support their development.
It is only when a child feels loved and secure that they will develop the confidence to explore and learn. Our ECE teachers are hand-picked for their loving nature and wealth of experience working with children. Our teachers are co-learners and play partners for the children, which helps to extend and expand on their learning experience. We use positive language, consistency, give choices and become "tuned-in" to children's needs and emotions. Our teachers respond to both verbal and non-verbal communication. When it comes to the preschool and daycare environment, we know that qualified ECE teachers play an important role in supporting children’s learning and providing the child with a nurturing, caring and positive role-model. Our teachers build trust with children by consistently meeting their needs on a daily basis. We model appropriate ways to resolve conflicts, encourage problem solving strategies and develop responsibility while developing social skills.
In order for children to thrive, they need to be in a stimulating environment that meets their daily needs. Our bright and cheerful classrooms offer a wealth of opportunities to explore and spark the child’s curiosity and inquiry. Equipment, toys and books are selected to help develop skills including problem solving, literacy, independence and social skills. Our indoor and outdoor spaces are designed to promote active exploration and learning opportunities. Our stimulating learning environment is focused on supporting the child’s learning and development.
We know that parents know best when it comes to their children. We develop partnerships with parents to ensure that we meet the individual needs of each child. Communication with parents is very important to us and we communicate with parents through verbal and digital daily reports and real-time photo updates using a digital app called HiMama. We publish a monthly calendar and newsletter to let parents know about our special monthly activities and events. We also utilize social media and encourage parents to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as our blog posts on our website.
Parents are welcome to visit the facility at any time of the day and we encourage participation and suggestions to improve our program. We believe that it takes a community to raise a child and we form partnerships with various community organizations to support our families and children. We partner with organizations in our local community like the local
library as well as Erin Oak, Community Living and Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS). We are members of the Raising the Bar Program in Peel and work with the Region of Peel, Child Development Resource Connection Peel (CDRCP), Region of Halton, Halton Resource Connection (THRC) and many other community-based programs.
We connect parents to resources in the community to meet the needs of each child.
For more details, you can view our full Program Statement here: Program Statement 2019
