More children in action pictures here

1340 Balmoral Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8R 1L7.

Tel: (250) 595-7544, Fax: (250) 595-9972

E-Mail: nightingalepreschool@shaw.ca

Mission Statement

Over the last two years Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten has become one of the leading Preschools and Junior Kindergartens in Victoria. The school provides an exceptional high quality programme that combines education, learning through play and active learning in the early years. The School curriculum planning is within the framework of the Early Learning Goals in Britain and The Foundation Stage that blends the Montessori/Reggio Emilia/High Scope philosophies.

The "Early Learning Goals" have been created to help teachers, carers and parents educate young children in a positive, relevant and exciting way.

"The Foundation Stage" is a stage of education for children from 3-5 years. The Foundation stage curriculum is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

Aims of the School

The School provides a caring, stimulating environment where your child will be given the time and opportunity to develop his/her physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills. Our well trained, confident teachers deliver the curriculum in ways that foster a childs' uniqueness and individuality as they work towards common goals. Children are encouraged to become independent learners and to discover learning is fun through structured and spontaneous activities.

The early years are so important. It is during this time that the foundations of future learning are being laid. At this age, knowledge is gained through play. Your child will have fun exploring and experimenting with carefully selected games and play materials, increasing his/her self-awareness and that of the surrounding world. The children are able to play with paint, crayons and modeling material, sand and water, imaginative playthings (dolls, farm, zoo, garage, train set, dress-up clothes, domestic playthings), jigsaws, table games, bricks and construction toys.

Our early years curriculum provides a framework to ensure that each child receives the best care and education for every aspect of their development. This will be achieved:

• Through a combination of planned activities, learning through play and first hand experiences.
• By close observation and continual assessment, therefore identifying any specific problems a child has, so these can be addressed before they start school.
• By careful planning with a topic each term. The topics cover the six learning goals. Personal, social, and emotional; Communication, language and literacy; Mathemetical development, Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical development and creative development. Topics which are child initiated are also developed to enhance their interests.

The curriculum is planned carefully to ensure continuity and progression yet, also accounts for the wide range of abilities and backgrounds of each child. There are times for stories, music and movement and outdoor play. Specific pre-reading, writing and number skills can be taught at the pace of the individual child.

In this happy and comfortable atmosphere, you can be sure that your child is well cared for and helped to develop his/her full potential.

Admission

The School admits children from the age of two and a half until a child starts kindergarten.

Times

Morning Session: 8:00 am to 12:00 noon
Afternoon Session: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Children may attend morning or afternoon sessions and may attend any number of sessions/days per week on availability.

School Holidays

All Canadian national holidays
Christmas holiday 2 weeks
Spring Break 1 week only
Easter 2 days
Summer holiday 1 month (open in July, closed for August)

Safety

The safety of the children is taken very seriously at the School. The building is equipped with smoke detectors and fire alarms. Practice fire drills for children and staff will be held regularly. The garden play area is completely enclosed by a high fence. All equipment, indoor and outdoor will receive constant safety checks.

Other Information

Snack is provided and included in the cost of fees. If your child has any special dietary requirements please inform the School in writing.

A registration fee of $50 (non-refundable) is required with your application to cover insurance and administration costs. The School operates from September to July

Families will be required, on registration, to give emergency phone numbers and doctors details and will be asked to give written permission for their child to receive emergency medical treatment should this be necessary. Medicines are administered only at the request of a parent.

The School must be informed if anyone other than a known person will be collecting your child. Children will NOT be released to an unknown person.

Nightingale Preschool and Junior Kindergarten is a licensed facility.

E-Mail: nightingalepreschool@shaw.ca