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Dartmouth Day Care Centre’s toddler program provides full-time, inclusive care for children aged 18 months to 3 years. We provide lunch and two snacks made from scratch daily, as well as whole milk. We abide by the nutrition guidelines provided by the Government of Nova Scotia.
We strive to provide daily programming that is developmentally appropriate, and nurtures the development of toddlers’ wellbeing, language and communication, discovery and invention & personal and social responsibility.
Dartmouth Day Care Centre strives to provide a daily routine that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of the children in our care. Our routine may change subject to the interests, needs, play engagement and development of the children in our toddler groupings.
7:00 – 9:15 ARRIVALS/CHILD-LED PLAY TIME
As children are dropped-off, they engage in free-play within the toddler classroom. Educators may provide open-ended activities based on children’s current interests. Children often visit other units at this time as staff arrive for their shifts. *Please notify us if your child will be absent or arriving later than 9:30am (no arrivals after 11:30 am)
9:30 – MORNING SNACK
10:00 – OUTDOOR PLAY
If weather permits, we head outside to our playground where children can engage in gross motor play, explore, socialize or create with each other as their interests lead them. Educators may implement table-top activities or games to extend learning and development.
10:45 – CIRCLE TIME
Children gather on the carpet for an educator-led experience. They may share stories, songs, discussions or finger plays related to an interest the children are currently exploring.
11:15 – LUNCH TIME
11:45 – QUIET TIME/REST TIME
Children rest their bodies on a cot with their favourite blanket and stuffie. Educators support children by rubbing their backs, holding their hands, or singing to them as they fall asleep, based on their daily needs.
2:00 – CHILD-LED PLAY TIME
Children engage in free-play and child-led experiences within the classroom. Educators may provide open-ended activities based on children’s current interests.
2:30 – AFTERNOON SNACK
2:45 – 3:45 OUTSIDE TIME
If weather permits, we head outside to our playground where children can engage in gross motor play, explore, socialize, or create with each other as their interests lead them. Educators may implement table-top activities or games to extend learning and development.
4:00 onwards – DEPARTURES
**At the end of the day, children may move to other units, gradually gathering back to the main floor. Your child’s outdoor belongings are often left in the room they entered after outside time. We try our best to return them to their locker if time permits. Please LABEL all your child’s belongings to ensure safe return to their locker.
Dartmouth Day Care Centre’s preschool program provides full-time, inclusive care for children aged 3 to 5 years. We provide lunch and two snacks made from scratch daily, as well as milk. We abide by the nutrition guidelines provided by the Government of Nova Scotia.
We strive to provide daily programming that is developmentally appropriate, and nurtures the development of preschoolers’ well-being, language and communication, discovery, and invention & personal and social responsibility.
Dartmouth Day Care Centre strives to provide a daily routine that is flexible and adaptable to the needs of the children in our care. Our routine may change subject to the interests, needs, engagement in play and development of the children in our preschool groupings.
7:00 – 9:15 ARRIVALS/CHILD-LED PLAY TIME
Children arrive and are free to explore, investigate, create, and socialize with other children as their interests lead them. Learning investigations set up by the teacher are prepared. Children often visit other units at this time as staff arrive for their shifts. *Please notify us if your child will be absent or arriving later than 9:30am (no arrivals after 11:30 am)
9:30 – MORNING SNACK
9:50 – GROUP TIME
Children gather for an adult-led experience. We share a story, song, game, activity, or discussion together often relating to an area of investigation we are actively exploring.
10:50 – 11:40 – OUTSIDE TIME
Children are free to explore, investigate, create, and socialize with other children as their interests lead them. Adult-led activities are implemented during this time designed to enhance learning and development of the children.
12:00 – LUNCH TIME
12:30 – REST TIME
Children are encouraged to rest their bodies and minds. As children get older, they may not fall asleep during this time. If not, they are provided with quiet, restful, developmentally appropriate activities to maintain a quiet atmosphere for sleeping peers.
2:00 – CHILD-LED PLAY TIME
Children are free to explore, investigate, create and socialize with other children as their interests lead them. Learning investigations set up by the teacher are prepared. Personal sensory bins and play dough are readily available and accessible to children at this time.
3:00 – AFTERNOON SNACK
3:20 – GROUP TIME
Children gather for another short adult-led experience. We share a story, song, game, activity or discussion together.
3:50 – OUTSIDE TIME
Children are free to explore, investigate, create and socialize with other children as their interests lead them.
4:30 onwards – DEPARTURES
**At the end of the day, children move to other units, gradually gathering back to the main floor. Your child’s outdoor belongings are often left in the room they entered after outside time. We try our best to return them to their locker if time permits. Please LABEL all your child’s belongings to ensure safe return to their locker.