FAQs

Little Blessings Nursery School is pleased to offer part-time care in our morning or afternoon programs.
Our morning program runs from 9 am to 11:30 am. We have a 2-day morning program (Tuesday and Thursday) and 3-day morning program (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Children may attend for the 5-day by enrolling in both morning programs. Our afternoon program runs from 1:15 to 3:45 pm. This program is 3-day (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

We do not offer full time care.

Children ages 2 to 5 years old may attend our programs. Please note there are limited spots available for children 2 to 2.5 years old. Our spaces available are divided into two age groups: 24 to 29 months and 30 months to 5 years old, as regulated by the Ministry of Education.

Absolutely, we are always welcome to schedule a tour. 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 Resources for Exceptional Children and Youth — Durham Region (Early Learning Inclusion [ELI] Services) as well as 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 before your child starts to attend. All staff will be signed and knowledge of your child’s anaphylactic allergy, dietary restrictions, and/or medical needs.

We request that you call or email the school before 9:00 am 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 or 48-hours for vomiting / diarrhea 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 and classrooms bulletin boards are located as you enter our school. Our daily schedule, upcoming activities, weekly curriculum, newsletters, monthly calendars, 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 bulletin 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 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 concerns or questions 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.

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 or email us 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.

The Regional Municipality of Durham’s Child Care Fee Subsidy Program helps families who live in the Durham Region pay for licensed child care. Click Here for details.

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). 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. Click Here to learn about our teachers.

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 including a vulnerable sector 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 outside agencies, 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. And also 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. We are also always looking for Board Members who are dedicated to our organization’s mission and passionate about keeping our school operating. Serving on the Little Blessings Nursery School 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 non-profit sector work. Please contact our supervisor if you are interested in learning more about any of our volunteer opportunities!

Please click here to visit our registration page for full details. Do not hesitate to call or email us for additional information or schedule a tour.

Please send along with your child: a pair of easy-to-put-on indoor shoes that will be kept at school, a child-size back pack with a change of clothes, few diapers and wipes (if needed), appropriate seasonal clothing and footwear for outdoor time. For children with medication/allergies/dietary restriction/medical devices, please ensure all documentation is signed. 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​.

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 am – Arrival
9:00 to 10:15 am – Free play
10:15 am – Tidy up
10:15 to 10:25 am – Art activity
10:25 to 10:45 am – Circle time
10:45 to 10:55 am – Snack
10:55 to 11:05 am – Children get ready for outdoor play
11:05 to 11:30 am – Outdoor play/Gym
11:15 to 11:30 am – Pick up time

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. When parents are dropping off at the door, 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. 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, the supervisor will email you mid May to have a Meet with Teachers Day for you to experience the programs and environments with your child. This one hour visit will allow you and your child to get more details about our school.
The supervisor will also email you around mid August which will send you a questionnaire and reminder about the first week after Labour Day.

If you have enrolled during the school year, the supervisor will email you to set up a tour and give you your child’s start date.