Umbrella Family at Hillcrest
Our program at Hillcrest School opened in September 2006 and provides a range of child care services to children who are 2 ½ to 12 years of age, all through the year, including Christmas Break, March Break and throughout July and August.
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.
A Universal Preschool Program is available to children living in the Hillcrest School neighbourhood, for the school year before the child enters Junior Kindergarten. This free program provides children with the opportunity to become more familiar with a school setting while engaging in developmentally appropriate activities with their peers, under the supervision of qualified Early Childhood Educators. This program is offered for 2 ½ hours each day, Monday to Friday.
Artists at the Centre is a project that brings artists to child care centres and family resource centres in Hamilton, Ontario, where Early Childhood Educators are exploring the Reggio Emilia approach. It is funded by the Hamilton Community Foundation, the City of Hamilton, the Ontario Arts Council and Ontario Early Years, with significant support from the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. It has also received funding from the Ontario Trillium foundation and the Art Gallery of Hamilton.
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 half-day basis, child care is provided during the time children are not enrolled in school (for example, a child who attends a Kindergarten program in the mornings would attend the child care program before the bell rings each morning, and then return to the child care where they are served a full-course mid-day meal and benefit from an afternoon of activities).
| Time | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thur | Fri |
| Before School |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
Child Care |
| Mornings |
Kindergarten | Kindergarten | Kindergarten | Kindergarten | Kindergarten |
| Lunch & After School |
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
& Camp Programs |
A full-day program is available for children on PA Days and during March Break, July and August and Christmas Break. Typically, field trips are planned for PA Days and at least 2x per Week during March Break and July/August. |
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, along with an Ontario Early Years Centre operated by Kiwanis Boys’ and Girls’ Club, is located within Hillcrest Elementary School at 40 Eastwood Street and is also in close proximity to:
- Roxborough Park Presbyterian Church
- Roxborough PARC East-end Multiservice Centre (St. Matthew’s House)
- Lowe’s Home Improvement (Barton Street)
- Hamilton Doublerink Arena (Barton Street)
- Sir Winston Churchill Elementary School
- Sir Winston Churchill Recreation Centre
- Pat Quinn (Parkdale) Arena
- Parkdale Elementary School