Umbrella Family at Gatestone
Our program at Gatestone opened in September, 2005, and provides child care services to children who are 2 ½ to 12 years of age, Monday to Friday, all through the year, including programs for children during school break periods (Christmas, March Break) and programs on PA Days and Early Dismissal Days. The availability of a summer camp program depends on the needs of families living in the Gatestone School neighbourhood. Should families be interested in summer camp programs, we are able to refer them to an alternate Umbrella program site.
Programs for Preschoolers
Care for children who are 2 ½ or older
Child care services are available from 7:30 am until 6:00 pm each day. The daily program provides children with a balance of activities that promote healthy growth and development in all domains…gross and fine motor, speech and language, cognition, self-help skills, social and emotional development...at their own pace! (For more details about our program, scroll down!)
Since children at this age may have very different sleep/eating habits, it is important that staff members and parents work together to determine how our program might be adapted to best suit the requirements of each child.
Programs for JK/SK Children
Care for children who are 3.8 (3 years, 8 months) to 6 years of age
Since kindergarten programs are offered on a full day/alternate day basis, child care is provided during the time children are not enrolled in school (for example, a child who attends Junior Kindergarten on Tuesdays, Thursdays and alternate Mondays would attend the child care program on Wednesdays, Fridays, alternate Mondays and Tuesdays and Thursdays before and after school).
| Time | Mon Week 1 |
Mon Week 2 |
Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri |
| Before School |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
| 9:00 am to 3:20 pm |
Kindergarten | Child Care |
Kindergarten | Child Care |
Kindergarten | Child Care |
| After School |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Programs for School Age Children
Care for children who are 6 – 12 years of age
| Before & After School | Child care services are available from 7:30 am until the morning school bell rings, and again at the end of the day from the time the dismissal bell rings until 6:00 pm. |
| Learning Community Days | Throughout the school year, children are occasionally dismissed early so that school teaching staff members may participate in professional development activities. Child care services are available as soon as the children are dismissed from their classes. |
| PA Days |
A full-day program is available for children on PA Days (Programs for children during Christmas and March Break PA Days is dependent on sufficient enrolment.) |
Curriculum
Developmentally appropriate activities—indoors and outside, too—are planned and implemented based on the observations of qualified early childhood educators/experienced staff members. The interests of children guide educators in determining the wide range of resources required to extend learning, while promoting the development of new skills.
Snacks/Lunch
Children are provided with nutritious snacks each morning (before the school bell rings and until approximately 9:00 am and after school each day. Since our morning snack is served very early and is similar to a breakfast, additional snacks are available throughout the morning should children feel especially hungry. (Snack menus are posted on the Parent Information Board and are also available to parents through newsletters and this website.)
Our on-site cook prepares a full-course mid-day meal which is served to children attending child care for the full day. School age children are required to bring a lunch from home.
Rest Time
The Day Nurseries Act stipulates that children under the age of 3.8 (3 years, 8 months) must have a 2-hour rest period each day. While there is no mandated sleep time for children who are older than 3.8 years (i.e. Junior or Senior Kindergarten), small cots are available in a quiet area, should children choose to have a short nap in the afternoon.
Location
Our program is located within Gatestone Elementary School at 127 Gatestone Drive, in upper Stoney Creek, and is close to:
- Valley Park Recreation Centre
- F. H. Sherman Recreation and Learning Centre
- St. Mark Catholic Elementary School
- Saltfleet Secondary School