Foundational Years - JK/SK
Creating positive, nurturing learning experiences for our youngest learners.
Our Foundational Years program nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in a warm, play-based environment with strong academic foundations.
Gentle Transitions
making a child's first learning experiences positive and enjoyable!
To support a smooth and confident start, our Kindergarten families are invited to participate in a Gentle Transition Plan. Throughout the weeks leading up to September, children attend scheduled visits with their classroom cohort to explore the space, engage in activities, and begin forming relationships with their teacher and classmates. Dates and times are shared in advance so families can plan for this gradual and reassuring introduction to school life.
Outdoor Learning
bringing nature and fresh air into the learning experience!
Weather permitting, Junior and Senior Kindergarten students benefit from three afternoons of outdoor learning each week. Students explore and learn a variety of subjects in the great outdoors! Indigenous story telling, life cycles and seasons, ecology and environmental preservation, measurement and basic math concepts....the sky's the limit....literally!
Students also spend time outside for two 40-minute recess breaks daily, as well as a 30 minute end-of-day break at dismissal.
Limited Technology
using tech sparingly and intentionally
We believe in thoughtful, limited technology use in the early years. Devices are used intentionally and sparingly—occasionally for targeted phonics or math apps, or to enjoy a shared movie experience on a special day—so that hands-on learning, conversation, and real-world exploration remain at the heart of each day.
Explicit Literacy Foundations
laying the groundwork for successful, happy readers!
Early literacy skills are built through explicit phonics instruction combining the best of the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) framework, Jolly Phonics, and the Heggerty approach. Students are screened on an ongoing basis, allowing us to identify strengths and areas for growth early. When needed, we provide individualized 1:1 interventions and targeted support to ensure every child develops strong phonemic awareness and foundational skills for confident reading.
Foundational Math
developing and enjoying basic numeracy
In our play-based Kindergarten classroom, math is experienced through exploration, movement, and meaningful real-world connections. Children build number sense by counting, sorting and patterning with manipulatives and engaging in deliberately designed math-rich play. Through guided instruction and purposeful math centres, students develop foundational skills in counting, composing and decomposing numbers, patterning, and early problem-solving in ways that feel joyful and developmentally appropriate.
