Welcome

Background                           

The John Wanless Child Care Program has been in operation since September 1981, responding to a need in the community to provide “total” care for the school age child. We started with a group of twenty 6-9 year old children and have grown to accommodate up to eighty 4-5 year olds (Full Day Kindergarten Before & Afterschool Care) and hundred & twenty eight 6-11 year old children. We have 18 employees of whom 16 are full time Registered Early Childhood Educators and 2 part time assistant.

The Child Care Program is a parent-administered, non-profit corporation. The Board of Directors consists of parents with children in the Child Care. Every family with a child in the program is a member of the Corporation and therefore has a vote at the Annual General Meeting, which is usually held yearly in March.

The Child Care Program is licensed by the Ministry of Education and is subject to provincial regulations and inspections. We also have a “Purchase of Service” agreement with the City of Toronto and a subsidy space may be available to families who apply and are eligible.

In February 2009, the Board of Directors approved a pilot Nursery Program to operate as of September 2009.  This program is offered for children aged 2.6 to 4 years old from September to June from 9:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. in room 005, which is licensed space during off hours.  The program begins the week after school starts and finishes on the last day of school in June.  The program will not operate, on Statutory Holidays, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Break and through July and August inclusive.

Philosophy

Our Child Care Program recognizes the need for a happy, healthy, safe and comfortable environment for our children. It is our intention to incorporate these values into the program and provide a caring, learning atmosphere. The children are involved in daily activities, which stimulate their social, emotional, cognitive, creative and physical growth. These skills are developed through structured and unstructured activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Children are encouraged to cooperate and work together. Through co-operative play and sharing, we help the child recognize and respect other children’s individuality and choices. We encourage independence and self-motivation by providing a variety of materials and programs that encourage exploration and personal creativity.

We recognize the needs of both the child and the parent. Thus, we try to supplement and complement parental care and values to provide an optimal learning and caring environment in a child care setting.