Curriculum
Curriculum West Ridge Early Education Centre believes in the Ontario governments’ planned curriculum to support early learning. Curriculum is often described as the content of early childhood setting (National Research Council, 2001.)
A planned curriculum with goals for children’s learning and development impacts on the quality of early childhood settings (Cleveland et al., 2006; Sylva et al., 2004; National Research Council, 2001; Bennett, 2004; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2006.)
West Ridge Early Education Centre also believe in Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT), a framework for Ontario early childhood settings, Best Start Expert Panel on Early Learning, December 2006.
The ELECT document begins with an informed understanding of what children are capable of learning and how they learn effectively. It has specific goals for children that support self-regulation, identify, social inclusion, health and well-being, language and thinking skills, and physical skills as well as the foundation of knowledge and concepts needed for literacy and numeracy.
During the early years, children learn through active engagement, activity, observations, experimentation and social interactions with others. As they develop an understanding about themselves and others, they learn to regulate their emotions, attend to what is important and to make plans – all based on the cultural values and practices embedded in their social and physical environments. (A Framework for Ontario Early Childhood Setting, 2007.)
Further, children practice ways of learning and interacting with the world around them throughout their lives. The Pedagogical approach asks educators to engage with, observe and listen to children. Educators discuss with other educators as well as with children and families, the possibilities for further children’s explorations in complex ways. West Ridge Early Education Centre fully supports an inclusive curriculum, with all children being active participants in regards to social interactions and developing the children’s abilities and skills.
How does Learning Happen?
West Ridge Early Education Centre supports “How Does Learning Happen?” as it refers to the role of the educator as a co-learner, rather than the expert. Having our educators take a curious approach to play and new experiences results in the children having a greater engagement towards more multifaceted inquiry. The educators also allocate longer blocks of play, which in turn aids in the opportunity for further exploration chances for the children. West Ridge Early Education Centre also provides time for the teachers to leave their classroom and collaborate together in regards to fostering the children’s exploration, (both inside and out), their play and curiosity.
Request a Tour
Tours are available on Wednesday and Friday of each week at either 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. A tour can be booked by contacting Melissa Reid at 705-326-3299 ext. 103 or at programs@wreec.ca.
Online Waitlist
Wait List Policy
- A child is placed on our waitlist when contact is made by telephone, in person or by email to an office staff at the Centre. The staff input all information given onto an Application for Child Care form. This form is then placed in the Wait List Binder, located in the office.
- Children are categorized on the list based on the initial contact and the room the child would initially be entering, for example, Infant Room, Jr. Toddler Room, etc.
- During this first encounter with parents, they are informed that it is their responsibility to contact the centre to confirm their child’s application on the Wait List and adjust any changes as needed.
Parents are informed they can make this contact by phone, email or in person and it is strongly suggested to them to call monthly, perhaps adding the centre’s phone number to their contacts/notes as a reminder to call in. If the parents have not contacted the centre within 12 months, the application for care will be removed from the wait list and placed in the declined file for a period of 6 months. At the end of these 6 months, the application will be removed from declined and shredded. - When the parent/guardian does call/email/in person regarding their current position on the wait list, the office staff will inform the parents of their child’s current wait list position by providing our best approximation in these cases.
- West Ridge Early Education Centre staff members will be given priority spots on the wait list then Internal Families who currently have siblings already enrolled with us. Then the external waitlist is consulted.
- Having your child’s name on the Wait List does not guarantee a spot. Availability depends on several factors within a classroom; birthdates, spaces available, classroom availability etc.
Extra Curricular
Families are given the opportunity to sign their child(ren) up for Warriors (previously Playball) as an extra curricular program. The program runs in 8 week cycles on Thursday mornings in the gym. The cost is $80.00 for the 8-week session.
Littlest Warriors (toddler) is a fun and active introduction to basic movement skills (manipulation, locomotion and stability) designed to enable out littlest athletes to accomplish more challenging skills and movements in later years.
Our Junior Warriors (preschool and pre-jk) take a fun and active approach to the introduction of sport and movement skills. By incorporating agility, balance, co-ordination and speed into games and exercises participants will learn fundamental movement skills essential for life, health and sport. The perfect way to combine fitness and fun!
During the Summer months, the program is free of charge (subsidized from Centre fundraising initiatives) and each classroom has the opportunity to participate three times in the program.
