“A Home Away From Home”
A recognition that the first three years of life are foundational lies at the heart of our childcare programs at TWS. A strong sense of rhythm and routine is fostered, as well as healthy opportunities for bonding with our experienced and loving faculty. When parents first see one of our beautiful toddler and preschool rooms with natural materials, they often take a deep breath and tell us they wish they had attended a school like this.
They immediately experience a learning environment of beauty and wonder, full of warm, flowing colours and natural objects that invite imagination and interaction through play.
Add experienced, caring teachers and daily use of the natural, protected outdoor play areas, and the foundation for our Early Childhood program is complete. Like a protective cocoon, these environments provide the structure and a gentle beginning for growth and healthy development.
Our warm, welcoming, and home-like environment is carefully designed to foster a sense of life and awe in every child. Opportunities are provided for self-initiated and directed creative play with simple play materials that are open-ended. With built kitchenettes and playgrounds for every classroom, children are invited to experience meaningful and practical work such as cooking, baking, and gardening as well.
We offer opportunities for children to actively explore their natural surroundings through play, promoting movement and balance. All child care playgrounds are designed by Earthscape, using natural materials with complex and challenging structures to promote gross-motor development. Children can practice climbing, balancing, and jumping while learning to take appropriate risks, which helps develop and strengthen resiliency in children.
Our preschool program offers weekly visits to the school’s woodland oasis (3 times a week) to build a close connection to nature throughout all seasons.
The Waldorf Child Care program at TWS emphasizes rhythm, repetition, and reverence to nurture holistic development.
Children experience a sense of security and predictability through a carefully crafted daily rhythm, aiding in emotional well-being.
Repetition in activities fosters skill mastery and a deep understanding of concepts for young children.
These healthy, repetitive rhythms and activities unfold throughout the day, week, and year, following the seasonal changes children observe in nature.
The Seasonal festivals are recognized and celebrated in the program, as well as diverse celebrations from various backgrounds.
Additionally, the child care program instills reverence, encouraging children to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and foster a genuine connection to nature, community, and themselves.
We believe that learning is deeply rooted in children’s natural instincts of imitation and imagination. Through activities and play, children are encouraged to imitate daily life tasks, fostering practical skills and a sense of capability.
The Child Care program recognizes that imaginative play is a powerful tool for cognitive development, allowing children to explore creativity and problem-solving.
Children can experience uninterrupted play in an unhurried environment, exploring their rich imagination. Creative artistic experiences such as story-telling, singing, movement, and painting are also offered throughout the week.
By embracing these principles, our program aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals who actively learn through the richness of hands-on experiences and the boundless realms of their imagination.
TWS Child Care offers ratios of 1:4 for Toddlers and 1:6 for Preschoolers- with daily limits of 12 children per classroom to support quality interaction and relationship building between the teachers and the children.
A trusting relationship between the teachers, children, and their families is key to building an atmosphere of love and warmth in the classroom. Teachers create a nurturing environment where each child is valued as an individual. Love is woven into interactions, fostering a sense of security and emotional well-being. Respect is integral in recognizing each child’s unique qualities, developmental pace, and biography. Care is not only physical but extends to supporting children’s emotional and social growth. This approach aims to build a foundation of trust and positive connections, which are essential for a child’s healthy development and optimal learning.
Toronto Waldorf School Child Care participates in CWELCC (Canada-Wide Early Learning Child Care). This federal subsidy is automatically applied to the fees of all Childcare children enrolled with us. Please visit the Fees section under Admission for our monthly rate, or check out our Child Care Parent Handbook for more information.
