Tykes & Tots

We encourage our children to develop and appreciate their individuality and to learn to express themselves widely and freely in accordance with their imagination and ability. Our programs offer many opportunities for choice and for a child to be responsible to him/herself within the limits of his/her capabilities. There are opportunities for free play, solitude, and for creative expressive activities.  Activities at the Centre stress co-operation and personal achievement rather than competition. The staff attempts to enhance each child’s self-confidence and self-esteem and to set aside time each day for individual attention.

We attempt to introduce our children to the diversity of normal human experience by providing a full and varied program.  Further, we encourage the children to sample as many things (including food) as we can offer. Each day, time is set aside for the development of intellectual and problem-solving skills, for creative arts, for learning and the satisfaction of curiosity, for work, for recreational activities and group exercises, for unstructured play, and for rest and solitude. Preschool-age children take part in periodic field trips to such locations as libraries, museums, stores, etc.

We encourage our children to appreciate and respect the diverse nature of humanity. We believe open-mindedness to be desirable and we discourage racial, sexual, national,  physical, or other harmful stereotyping. We encourage children to combine individual expression with an awareness of, and respect for, the needs and concerns of others. We thus attempt to promote their social growth – working with others, sharing, and accepting the limits of group living. We emphasize co-operation more than the competition.

Only if parents become and remain informed about the activities of the Centre can we enhance the personal development of our children. Thus, we must communicate regularly with the
parents of our children about the activities at the Centre and must express an interest in, and become knowledgeable about, daily activities outside the Centre. 

We endeavor to maintain facilities in which our children are secure from diseases and hazards. When children contract a  contagious or infectious disease, for their health and the health of the remainder of our children, they must be sent home. Where direct and immediate medical attention is required, we attempt to provide it in accordance with parental instructions. We undertake frequent and regular checks for unsafe conditions at the Centre and we have a regular fire drill for the children. We provide varied and nutritious meals and snacks for the children. The children are discouraged from bringing candy, gum, or other confections to the Centre. We schedule activities to enhance the children’s physical, sensory, and motor development.  Medication and special dietary requirements are dispensed to particular children upon the request of, and provision by, the parent.

We are a community-based organization and as such place an emphasis on positive partnerships within the community and our partner schools. Tykes and Tots actively seek out partnerships within the broader community as well as within the educational community and look to deepen and broaden all partnerships.