Junior Kindergarten

Our childcare and Junior Kindergarten centres are warm, friendly, bright, and bustling with creativity.

The JKs (as they are affectionately known) are unique places for children to learn, grow and play. We believe it is important for children to know they are in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment.

All of our educators are certified Early Childhood Educators or Early Childhood Educator Assistants. Our educators work collaboratively as a team to encourage appropriate behaviours and lead by example for the children. We believe in open, courteous communication between the educators, children and their families.

Learning through play is an essential part of our enriched curriculum.

Faith: All children participate in daily grace at lunch time. We attend chapel once a month, and we participate in bi-weekly faith classes.

Emergent curriculum: Whenever possible we facilitate small group learning. Our curriculum may start with a theme, but as the children’s interests develop and change, so does our theme. We believe it is important to follow the children’s interests for optimal learning.

Specialty Classes: We love being able to offer different activities and allow the children to learn and develop new skills. Our centres offer Art Class, Music Class, Kindergym, Spanish Class, Yoga and Movement, and Land Based Learning Class. Our centres also use the “We Thinkers” series with the children to help them develop healthy social emotional skills. All our specialty classes are offered by special teachers!

Kindergarten Readiness: In your child’s last year at the JK before starting school, we have a special “Kindie Club” group every Friday. Our kindergarten readiness program was developed with our Kindergarten teacher at Christ Church Cathedral School. The program focuses on five key components. They are: Literacy and Numeracy, Fine motor skills, Gross motor skills, Social Emotional Skills and Independence Skills. Our program exposes your child to a deeper level of these concepts so they will be prepared for their next journey. Our educators are deeply committed to supporting the growth and development of your child.

Community: Our Educators work hard to create a warm community within our centre. Educators update the parent boards daily with information about what we did during the day. We also host BBQ’s and other family gatherings a few times a year (Unfortunately not during Covid-19.) Both our centres also use an App called Hi Mama. Hi Mama allows our teams to update families in real time and send photos and updates right to your mobile device. Hi Mama creates a digital learning story of your child’s journey with us. Keeping track of all their developmental milestones and documenting all the valuable life skills they are learning each day.

Literacy: Educators read daily with the children. We teach the children name and letter recognition and we use the Jolly Phonics program for pre-literacy. As children become older and are ready for the next challenge, we help support them in learning to write their names.

Adventures: We are outside EVERY DAY! Rain or shine, there are always new adventures and things to learn. In addition to our playgrounds, we explore the many natural settings and local playgrounds in the neighbourhood.

Our program offers full time spaces for children aged 2.5-5 years. All children who are attending for the day must be at the centre by 9:30am so they will not miss out on any adventures.

JK Parent Handbook St. Dunstan and St. Mathias-2021_2022

Fees effective July 1, 2020 at our Fairfield (St. Matthias) Location. Full day program 7:30 – 5:30:

• Registration with Cathedral Childcare & JK (one time, non-refundable administration fee): $100.00
• 2.5 year olds Monthly fee $1,1300.00 (Minus $350 govt fee reduction = Parent fee $780.00)
• 3 – 5 year olds Monthly fee $1,130.00 (Minus $100 govt fee reduction = Parent fee $1030.00)
• $50 discount per month for those with an Anglican envelope number

Fees effective July 1, 2020 at our Gordon Head (St. Dunstan) Location. Full day program 7:30 – 5:00:

• Registration with Cathedral Childcare & JK (one time, non-refundable administration fee): $100.00
• 2.5 year olds Monthly fee $1,190.00 (Minus $350 govt fee reduction = Parent fee $840.00)
• 3 – 5 year olds Monthly fee $1,190.00 (Minus $100 govt fee reduction = Parent fee $1090.00)
• $50 discount per month for those with an Anglican envelope number