Unique Programming
Our pre-primary program is a unique model of early childhood education. By creating an education environment that meets children's interests, needs and capabilities, we offer a genuine school experience for 3 to 5 year olds. The pre-primary school is an extension of the Oak and Orca Bioregional School model.
Consistency between the pre-primary and the elementary programs is very high and includes the same format, philosophies and techniques. Staffing, resources and space are also extensively shared between the two programs. Modifications for younger children include shorter open classroom/workshop periods, additional time for gross motor play, daily opportunities for circle time, and simplified instructions for learning centres and activities.
Pre-primary School in a Licensed Facility
While in a licensed facility with certified ECEs, the pre-primary school is not a daycare.
Oak and Orca Pre-Primary School is licensed as a group care facility for 3 to 5 year olds, and is run by certified Early Childhood Educators, certified Assistants, and certified Teachers. This allows for funding such as childcare subsidy to be applied towards tuition. However, the pre-primary program is not a daycare setting.
Traditional daycares are set up to provide supervision, play opportunities and some limited enriched learning opportunities. The structure and schedule of a daycare are set and success is measured by the ease in which these can be provided.
Oak and Orca Pre-Primary School holds the educational needs of the individual children first and foremost. These needs must be met through structure and scheduling while in a group setting, but the individual children remain the focus of the program. In this way our programming, from the planning stages up, is distinctly different from that of a traditional daycare.
Academic Standards
Holistic academic goals centre on a child's interests and personal development.
The Pre-Primary School is a school for 3 to 5 year olds, and but is not the same as a preschool. While a preschool guides children towards being successful later (in school), the pre-primary school focuses on a child's learning experience in the moment.
Play is highly valued and we take the popular "learning through play" approach to a new level by creating ways for children to extend, reflect and make connections through their play.
We focus on building skills in the areas of language, problem-solving, interpersonal communication, self-awareness, and confidence. We believe these are the foundational educational components for this age group.
We guide children to enhance their skills and knowledge, but do not push an adult concept of academic excellence. For example, while we do focus on the development of reading skills, we do not push children to learn to read by a certain age.
Children's skills are assessed through observation. There are no grades, judgments or comparisons to peers. Anecdotal reports of what the children have been doing at school are provided to parents, as well as serving to inform program planning and individual goals for the child at school.
