When your child is eligible for a Pre-Primary Program, here are a few things to consider or ask the Pre-Primary Educator/Lead/ Supervisor:

• Is this a mandatory program?
• What is the maximum number of children per educator?
• What is the maximum number of children in the classroom?
• How much space is provided per child in the classroom?
• Is the classroom set up like a home environment?
• How many bells, announcements and disruptions are there every day?
• How much outside time will my child have? Will it be structured or free choice play? Will they be outdoors in the morning and afternoon?
• What are the restrictions on outdoor play? Where will they play? Are they outdoors in all kinds of weather? Will my child be able to interact with his/her siblings when outdoors?
• Are you licensed and regulated by the Department of Education Early Years Branch?
• Will my child be able to nap or rest in the afternoon?
• Do you serve dietitian approved snacks and lunches?
• What is the annual budget for classroom supplies and equipment?
• As a parent am I welcome into the room any time and to stay as long as I want?
• How often will I receive a portfolio page on my child? Monthly?
• How does your program provide my child with a sense of the larger community?
• What are the qualifications and experience of the Pre-Primary educators and of those that give the Pre-Primary educators lunch breaks?
• Will all staff be required to have current Criminal Records Checks, Child Abuse Registry Checks and First Aid?
• How will misbehaviours be handled? Do you have a policy procedure for that?
• How are parent concerns handled?
• What are the hours of the Pre-Primary program?
• Do you offer before and after school care? What will I do with my child on Christmas and March Break? (also all the in-service, marking and early release days)
• Will my child be able to travel to school by bus?

And here are some of the answers when it comes to Small World Learning Centre’s Pre-Primary Program:

• We have been providing the foundation for school success and lifelong learning for over 40 years.
• Maximum class size is 16 with at least 2 educators
• Ratios: 1 to 8; 2 to 16
• Hours 7:30 to 5:30
• Hours 9:00 to 12:00
• Outdoor time:
  • Natural large playground designed and built for children 18 months and older.
  • Forest time – SWLC programs spend a combined total of 916 children hours in the forest each week. Forest play and trail hikes provide many ecological opportunities as well as connecting to nature.
  • Earth Education – Every day each classroom has scheduled time in nature with a small group of children, their classroom educator and an earth/nature educator
  • No restrictions on times that children are allowed to use the outdoor spaces.
  • Full day program children spend an average of 3 to 5 hours outdoors every day.
• Our educators were among the first in the province to pilot the Nova Scotia Early Learning Curriculum Framework (2017). We have continued training through hiring a consultant who provides monthly professional development workshops.
• The new curriculum fits easily into our well established Reggio Inspired Curriculum, play based experiential learning.
• SWLC’s educators have a combined 170+ years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education.
• Children are regarded as powerful, skilled, intelligent and creative. They are spirited and full of potential, curiosity, and knowledge about their world.
• Art Studio time- each classroom has scheduled time for a small number of children to work with the art studio educator in the studio using a variety of art materials and mediums.
• Community Partnerships – Green Schools Nova Scotia, visits to the library, HB Studios for indoor recreation; Sobeys; Guest speakers, Outings to various businesses. Relationships between children, parents, community members, and educators are central.
• Healthy dietitian approved snacks and lunch each day.
• Our centre was designed and built for children from the age of 18 months to 12 years with an emphasis on home-like (not institutional like) space for children.
• Our programs are licensed and regulation by the Department of Education Early Years Branch. We go beyond licensing minimum requirements – for example providing 45 square feet of indoor space instead of 36 square feet of space for each child.
• SWLC is a registered charitable organization, our board provides a generous budget for classroom supplies and equipment annually. Paint, glue, paper, etc. is never limited.
• Open door policy that means parents are welcome anytime into our program – many parents read a story before going to work in the morning or stay and play with their child at the end of the day; etc.
• Monthly portfolios for each (full day) child.
• Established professional relationships with Nova Scotia Hearing and Speech, EIBI; Early Intervention; Psychologists; Mental Health; Occupational Therapy.
• Multi-age play and playing with sibling outdoors enhances social and emotional development.
• Educators use and teach a six-step problem solving approach that teaches responsibility, enhances confidence, social emotional development and self-esteem.
• SWLC has received awards: Excellence in Programming; Recognition of achievement and dedication in support of children with Autism; Active Transportation Leadership; Best Day Care on the South Shore.
• SWLC has contributed to three of Susan Stacey’s books on emergent curriculum and pedagogical documentation.