Program Statement - Beacons' Early Learning Haven

Our Program Statement

Let’s Play, Learn, and Grow - Together

Beacons' Early Learning Haven creates a welcoming environment that values each child's unique qualities. Our program follows child-led, adult-supported, emergent, immersive approach, inspired by the HighScope™ model, and is based on the guidelines of E.L.E.C.T. (A framework for Ontario early childhood settings) and H.D.L.H.?: Ontario's Pedagogy for Early Years, as well as the Ontario Education Minister’s Policy Statement on Programming and Pedagogy(2015). Our comprehensive program focuses on active involvement and individuality, with experiences in S.T.E.A.M., literacy, social studies, civic responsibility, movement, physical education, health, and wellness. We also offer enrichment programs in music, dance, art, cooking, sports, and games. We believe in values that support holistic development, emphasizing play, inquiry, and exploration.

The Statement

We understand the importance of creating a learning environment that fosters play and exploration. We provide a wide range of resources to enhance your child's experience. We also recognize the vital role nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness play in your child's development. Therefore, we provide fresh and nutritious meals, mindfulness, and structured physical activities daily to support their health and well-being. We prioritize the safety and confidentiality of your child. Our secure building and innovative child-management app ensure that all children under our care are accounted for at all times, providing you with peace of mind. We strive to build a culture of respect for our community and the environment where every child can grow and thrive. Our state-of-the-art facilities and bilingual environment provide a fun, engaging, and supportive learning environment. We also promote parent-teacher connections and work with neighborhood partners to foster positive relationships.

We acknowledge that children are competent, creative, capable of complex thinking, and rich in potential. Therefore, we employ a child-led, adult-facilitated approach in our interactions with the toddlers, preschoolers and school age children who attend our programs.

Discover Our Comprehensive Programs

At Beacons’ Early Learning Haven, we offer a range of dynamic programs designed to foster holistic growth and development in children. Each program is thoughtfully crafted to provide engaging and enriching experiences, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to explore, learn, and thrive in a supportive environment. Explore our programs to find the perfect fit for your child’s needs and interests.

Toddler Program

The Toddler Program at Beacons’ Early Learning Haven is crafted to support the development and curiosity of young children. Through engaging activities and a variety of experiences, toddlers can explore new skills and interests in a safe, encouraging environment, fostering their holistic growth and development. Please visit our Toddler Page for more on our Seedlings and Sprouts.

Preschool Program

Our Preschool Program at Beacons’ Early Learning Haven lays the foundation for lifelong learning. With a focus on a well-rounded curriculum, children are introduced to a variety of skills and activities in a stimulating, supportive setting, ensuring their overall development and readiness for the next stage of education. Our Preschoolers Page carries details on the exploits of our Explorers and Adventurers.

Dynamic Enrichment Programs

At Beacons’ Early Learning Haven, our enrichment programs bring excitement and diversity to the core curriculum. They provide children with opportunities to discover new skills and hobbies in an engaging, supportive environment, promoting their overall development and well-being. There’s more on our Enrichment Programs here.

Beacons’ Brilliant Beyond-School Program

Our Beyond-School Program at Beacons’ Early Learning Haven offers children aged 4 to 12 years old, an enriching environment beyond regular school hours. Normally known as “extended day programs”, the Beyond-School program is designed to complement their academic learning, this program encourages exploration of new interests and skills in a fun and nurturing setting, supporting their continuous growth and well-being. Our brilliant extended day programs are detailed here.

BEL-H Program Goals and Values

Our program is built on four essential foundations:

Belonging: We create a sense of community and inclusivity through positive interactions among children, parents, and staff.
Well-being: We ensure children’s health and safety with nutritious menus, daily physical exercises, as well as wellness and well-being activities like yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness.
Expression: We encourage self-expression through language, art, music, and play in a supportive environment.
Engagement: Our curriculum integrates indoor and outdoor play, rest, and family communication. The Brightwheel app provides real-time updates to parents.

Inspiring Learning through Play: Our Core Curriculum and Enrichment Programs

At Beacons’ Early Learning Haven, we provide a comprehensive and enriching educational experience tailored to foster the holistic development of each child. Our programs blend structured and flexible activities that nurture a love for learning and support all areas of development.

Core Curriculum

Our core curriculum is built on a child-centered, play-based learning approach inspired by the HighScope™ “plan-do-review” sequence. This methodology encourages children to plan their activities, engage deeply, and reflect on their experiences, promoting independence and critical thinking. Goals:

Holistic Development: Supporting social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language growth.
Bilingualism: Cultivating language skills in both English and French.
Environmental Awareness: Fostering a connection to nature and understanding of sustainability.
Creativity and Problem-Solving: Enhancing creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Inclusive Environment: Ensuring every child feels valued and included.

Educational Philosophy:

Child-Centered Learning: Tailoring education to the interests and needs of each child to promote engagement and motivation.
Play-Based Approach: Utilizing play as a fundamental tool for exploration, discovery, and meaningful learning.
HighScope™ Framework: Encouraging active participation in learning, fostering a sense of ownership and independence.

Curriculum Design

Our curriculum design emphasizes:

Learning Environments as the ‘Third Teacher’: Classrooms are flexible and stimulating, reflecting children’s interests and supporting dynamic learning.
Pedagogical Documentation: Documenting children’s learning through observations and reflections, involving families, and informing our teaching strategies.
Responsive Relationships: Prioritizing strong, supportive relationships between educators and children to create a secure and trusting environment.
Collaborative Inquiry: Children and educators explore questions and ideas together, fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and a love for learning.

Please visit our Curriculum page for more information.

Family Engagement and Communication

We use the Brightwheel App to keep parents informed with real-time updates on their child’s activities, meals, naps, and developmental milestones, along with regular pictures and videos. Additionally, Brightwheel provides digital daily reports and webcam access for parents to stay connected throughout the day.

Represented by Ravi Sameer, we enhance family engagement through:

Parent-Teacher Meetings: Discuss progress, set goals, and address concerns.
Family Events and Workshops: Encourage participation and build community.
Personalized Communication: Daily reports and messages keep parents informed.
Feedback and Participation: Welcoming family feedback to improve our programs.

Our educators actively engage with families to understand their needs and support each child’s continuum of development and learning. This approach recognizes and nurtures each child’s unique growth journey, ensuring that learning experiences are interconnected and build upon previous knowledge and skills. By fostering open communication and involving families, we create a collaborative environment that supports each child’s holistic development.

Regulatory Compliance

Our program aligns with key regulatory standards to ensure high-quality care and education:

Ontario Regulation 137/15: Sets standards for health, safety, nutrition, positive interactions, exploration, play, and ongoing communication with parents and community partners.
Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), 2014: Emphasizes the health, safety, and well-being of children in child care programs.
How Does Learning Happen?: Guides our approach to promoting well-being, engagement, expression, and belonging.
Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT): Provides developmental indicators for program planning and assessment.

We strive every day to exceed these standards to provide the best for the children. We support continuous professional learning for our staff and regularly review the impact of our strategies on children and families to maintain compliance and enhance our program’s effectiveness.

For more details on each program, please visit our program pages:

Enrichment Programs
Beacons’ Brilliant Beyond-School Program
Toddler Program
Preschool Program

Want to know more? Ready to Start your journey with us? We would love to hear from you!

Arrival Checks, Handwashing and Free Play

Morning Yoga/Mindfulness: Start the day with gentle stretches and breathing exercises with Stormi Carpenter.

Small Group Activities:

Plan-Work-Cleanup-Recall Sessions: Simple planning, working, cleaning up, and recalling activities to build routine and memory.
Sensory Play: Explore textures, shapes, and sounds with the STEM stars, Sam and Olivia, and our artsy maestro, Sergio.
STEM and Writing Activities: Engaging in basic science, technology, engineering, math projects, and early literacy exercises.

Snack Time (AM): A nutritious morning snack to fuel their bodies and minds.

Large Group Activities:

Storytime/Literacy Time: Interactive storytelling and learning the Word of the Week in English, French, and sign language with Ollie O’Learn and Binta Lang.
Music and Movement: Dance and physical exercises with Wally the Walrus.
French Lessons: Fun and interactive lessons three times a week with Binta Lang.
Sign Language: Engaging sessions twice a week with Binta Lang.
Functional Life Skills (FLS): Learning basic skills like tidying up, cleaning spills, hand-washing, and simple dressing twice a week with Stormi Carpenter.

Lunch: A healthy and balanced meal to recharge for the afternoon.

Nap Time: A restful nap to rejuvenate and prepare for more learning and fun.

Afternoon Activities:

Continue with Small Group Activities and Large Group Activities as listed above.
Outdoor Play: Physical activities and exploration with Wally, Luca, and Reina.

Snack Time (PM): A nutritious afternoon snack to keep them energized.

Join the adventure with Beacons’ Early Learning Haven! Explore our dynamic programs where play, creativity, and education come together to shape the future. Let your child’s journey of discovery and growth begin here!

Bringing Our Values to Life

At Beacons’ Early Learning Haven, our commitment to nurturing every child’s potential is deeply rooted in our core values. Our program elements are thoughtfully designed to align with these values, ensuring the holistic development of each child. We foster a love for lifelong learning, encourage curiosity, and promote a strong sense of community and inclusivity. By integrating these principles into every aspect of our curriculum, we create a supportive environment where children can thrive, explore, and grow into confident, compassionate individuals.

Join us to see your child flourish in our exceptional, caring environment.

Beacon’s Early Learning Haven is a licensed, innovative bilingual childcare center in Orleans, Ottawa East, where your child’s every need is our top priority. We are committed to providing your child with an exceptional learning experience that will foster their growth and set them up for success in life. Our approach is based on the pedagogical frameworks set by the Province of Ontario and inspired by the innovative HighScope™ model.