PROGRAMMING
At PetiteCare, children spend their days exploring, moving, creating, and discovering. Our nature-based approach to early childhood education encourages children to learn through direct experience, meaningful relationships, and hands-on exploration.
Every day includes outdoor play, community exploration, sensory experiences, creative expression, and opportunities for children to develop confidence and independence at their own pace. We believe children learn best when they are active participants in their environment, supported by caring educators who meet them where they are and respect their unique ways of learning.
Whether we're exploring the ravine, visiting a local community garden, caring for butterflies, or simply discovering a new bug at the playground, every experience becomes an opportunity to learn.
Infant
3 - 18 months
Even our youngest children spend time outdoors every day, in every season. Through exploration with natural materials, uneven terrain, and open-ended play, infants develop strength, balance, coordination, confidence, and resilience while learning about the world around them in real-world experiences.
Daily experiences may include:
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Outdoor exploration in all weather
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Sand and sensory play
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Observing nature with all senses
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Walking and movement activities
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Neighbourhood walks using walking ropes and wagons
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Gross motor development through climbing, balancing, and navigating natural materials
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Nature observation and discovery
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Music, stories, and relationship-based learning
Building these skills early helps children develop physical endurance, body awareness, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in their own capabilities.
Toddler
18 months -
2.5 years
Our toddler program offer abundant opportunities for children to explore both nature and their community through hands-on experiences, imaginative play, and meaningful social interactions.
Children regularly venture beyond the classroom to experience the city around them. Whether visiting Riverdale Farm, exploring local parks and ravines or participating in community garden projects children learn through real-world experiences that foster curiosity and a sense of belonging.
Daily experiences often include:
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Nature exploration and outdoor learning
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Community walks and field trips
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Loose-parts play indoors and outdoors with objects such as wooden shapes, art supplies, textiles and natural materials
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Imaginative and dramatic play
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Science and discovery activities
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Gardening and seasonal projects
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Collaborative problem-solving
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Literacy and numeracy experiences embedded in play
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Creative arts and building projects
Through these experiences, children develop social skills, self-regulation, communication, empathy, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Preschool
2.5 - 4 years
As children grow, our preschool program expands their opportunities for exploration, creativity, and community connection. Through outdoor learning, imaginative play, science, gardening, and hands-on discovery, children build confidence, curiosity, independence, and the skills they need for lifelong learning.
Daily experiences often include:
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Nature investigations and outdoor learning
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Community walks and field trips that connect children with their neighbourhood
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Open-ended loose-parts play using natural materials, wooden pieces, art supplies, textiles, and found objects
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Imaginative and dramatic play, storytelling, and collaborative role-play
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Science experiments, observation, and discovery
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Gardening, planting, and seasonal projects
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Collaborative problem-solving, planning, and decision-making
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Literacy and numeracy experiences woven naturally into play and everyday activities
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Creative arts, construction, design, and building projects
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Opportunities to develop independence, leadership, and responsibility within the classroom community
Through these experiences, preschoolers strengthen their communication, social skills, self-regulation, empathy, creativity, independence, critical thinking, and confidence as capable learners.