FAQs

We are pleased to offer part-time care in both our morning and afternoon programs. Our morning program runs Monday to Friday from 9 am to 11:30 am. We have a 2-day program (Tuesday and Thursday) and 3-day program (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Children may enroll for all 5-mornings by enrolling in both programs. Our afternoon program runs from 1:15 to 3:45 pm. This program is 3-days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

Children ages 2 to 5 years old may attend. Please note there are limited spots available for children 2 to 2.5 years old.

Absolutely, we recommend it. Please call or email us to set up a time to meet with us.

Yes, in almost all cases. Inclusion is very important to us and we will work with you to ensure we understand all the needs of your child and how we may support your child in our program. We are also actively involved with Grandview Kid’s Preschool Outreach Program, which can provide assistance to our staff in developing strategies to help your child fully participate in our program.

Yes, in most cases we can, please contact us to discuss your child and we will put together plans with parents and doctors. Forms will need to be filled out and medications and or devices will need to be provided for your child to keep at school before your child starts to attend.

We request that you call or email the school before 9:00am if you know your child will be absent from school for illness or otherwise. Let us know your child’s symptoms if they are ill or if he/she has developed any contagious conditions including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, a new rash, runny nose, coughing, red eyes or discharge. To prevent the spread of disease, we ask that all children, teachers, volunteers, caregivers and guests remain at home until 24 hours after the last sign of these symptoms.

To further prevent the spread of germs, teachers perform daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and disinfecting tasks as well as practice (and teach) safe hand washing procedures set out by the Health Department.

Parent bulletin boards are located as you enter our school. Our daily schedule, upcoming activities, weekly curriculum, newsletters, monthly calendars, holidays, and snack menu will be posted. Teachers will provide information about events and agencies in the community that support families by email or postings on the parent board. A newsletter will be emailed in September, January and April, and the supervisor will send out weekly emails with housekeeping notes and reminders of upcoming events.

Our License is also posted as you enter the school. If you wish to see the detailed copy we have it for your review. We are also required to post any serious occurrences that may affect the program for 10 days on the licensing board to support increased transparency to parents as required.

Please follow us on our Facebook page at  and Instagram for additional information about classroom activities and upcoming events. Pictures of children will not be posted to any social media without written consent from a parent/caregiver.

We want you to contact us quickly if you have any questions or concerns about the program. Staff will do their best to speak with you when you enter and leave the program but at times we are busy with the children and a convenient time will need to be set up for discussion. You can also call or email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also email the Chair person of our board of directors at chair@littleblessingsns.ca

Yes. A waitlist is created when any of our individual programs reaches its full capacity of enrolment. Our spaces available are divided into two age groups: 24 to 29 months and 30 months and up, as regulated by the Ministry of Education. Children are accepted into the program on a first come, first serve basis when spots become available in the required age group. There is no fee to have your child placed on our waiting list, but we do recommend you schedule a visit to ensure our centre is a good fit for your family. Parents are welcome to call the office for an update of their child’s status on the waiting list at any time.

When a space becomes available, the family at the top of the waitlist, with a child of the required age, will be contacted and invited to accept a childcare spot. If the family accepts the offer we move to the next step. If the family, for any reason, declines the spot then we will offer the spot to the next family on the list. Any family that declines a spot will remain on the list in the same sequence unless they request to be removed from the waiting list.

Every year, we provide one position in our afternoon program for families that are struggling financially, but have a real need or benefit for what our program offers. This is an open application and we invite any family that feels they would benefit to apply. Click here for more information on the program

Every room has a staff member that has a degree in Early Childhood Education, and are members of, and in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators (RECE). However, all of our teachers bring a wealth of different experiences and backgrounds that complement one another and allows our program to offer a dynamic and creative group of activities for the children and families.

The health and safety of the children in our care is of the utmost importance to us and is taken very seriously. The teachers follow set guidelines for the supervision of children at all times. We constantly inspect the areas and items the children are using for anything that could harm them. We will only permit individuals in the program to interact with children that have had a full orientation, police check, health assessment and have read our full policy and procedures manual. Pictures of these individuals are posted on the board as you enter the school. Qualified ratio staff will have current First Aid and Infant and Child CPR training and Occupational Health and Safety training. Other individuals with access to the program area will be asked to sign in in the log book (professionals from an outside agency, individuals doing repairs, community helpers, inspectors, etc.) these individuals will not have any physical contact with the children, although they may speak to the children and be supervised by a team member. Professionals doing assessments and having contact with children must have written consent from the parent to do so, these individuals will provide us with an attestation from their employer that they have an up to date police check including a vulnerable sector check.

Little Blessings entrance doors are locked at 9:30 am and 1:45 pm. Interior classroom doors are kept closed and teachers are trained to always be aware of the door areas, children are taught to only go through the classroom doors with a teacher or parent/guardian. Stop signs are posted to remind the children of this rule and are used as a teaching tool.

Yes absolutely! We are always looking for volunteers to help both inside and outside of the program. In-Program Volunteers do require a police check, health assessment and completion of an orientation session, including reading our policies and procedure manual. We are also always looking for new Board Members who are dedicated to our organization’s mission and passionate about keeping our school operating. Serving on the LBNS Board of Directors is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who is passionate about their local community and the nursery school, but also someone who thrives and enjoys volunteer and nonprofit sector work. Please contact our supervisor if you are interested in learning more about any of our volunteer opportunities!

Please visit our registration page for full details. Please do not hesitate to call us for additional information or a tour.

Please send along with your child: Indoor shoes, back pack with a change of clothes, diapers and wipes (if needed), appropriate seasonal clothing and footwear for outdoor time. For children with medication/allergies/medical devices please ensure all documentation is completed by your child’s doctor and staff are aware of all medical needs and on-site medical equipment or accessory. To ensure the safety of the children, we are a nut free facility, and ask you do not send along any food or drink items with your children to school. Please label all of your child’s items to help prevent loss. Labels may be purchased online at Lovable Labels​. Our lost and found is located at the main entrance.

A teacher will meet each child at the time of arrival. A written record will be kept of each child in attendance. Any special instructions for your child can be given to a teacher who will write the instruction in our log book.

Sample Morning Program Schedule:

9:00 to 9:30 am – Arrival and free play

9:30 to 10:15 am – Art activity

10:15 am – Tidy up

10:15 to 10:30 am – Circle time

10:30 to 10:45 – Snack

10:45 to 11:00 am – Children get ready for outdoor play

11:00 to 11:25 – Outdoor play/gross motor play

11:25 to  11:30 – Tidy up/dismissal

A teacher will assist with opening the gate if we are in the play yard for dismissal. This way a teacher is aware of who is coming and going.

This is not a problem. We believe that all children work at their own pace and will be toilet-trained when ready. Our staff will work with parents to ensure the child’s routine at school and home are as seamless as possible.

The first few weeks of school are an adjustment period for both parents and children. During the first few days attending school, there may be some tears and apprehension. Parents are encouraged to stay with their child as long as needed to help them feel comfortable, then progress to shorter goodbyes. When leaving, it is preferable to not hesitate when saying goodbye. Empower your child by assuring him/her that they will have fun and you will be back. Help your child get involved in an activity or ask a teacher to help you with this (it makes the transition easier if they feel involved and that they belong). Any hesitation on your part gives your child the impression that you are unsure and worried about leaving them at school — show your child you believe in them!

Once enrolled in the program starting in September we will call you mid August to set up a time for you to experience the program with your child the first week after Labour Day. This one hour visit will allow you and your child to participate in the program.

If you have enrolled during the school year we will set up a time for you to come and experience the program with your child. The Supervisor will call you to set up this visit and give you your child’s start date.