Infant, Toddler and Preschool Programs (Full Day)

Infants (0 – 18 months)

Our Infant Program accommodates ten, full-time children from birth to 18 months of age. Although we have a daily written schedule, the schedule is based on the needs of each individual child. Children may sleep and eat as they require throughout the day. 

Infants learn through play, exploration and interaction with objects and meaningful relationships with trusted adults. Both parents and staff will collaborate on learning goals for their child, creating learning opportunities for each child based on their unique skills, interest and needs.

Toddlers (18 months to 30 months)
Preschoolers (30 months to 44 months)

The daily program for toddlers and preschoolers provides children with the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that encourage and stimulate growth in all areas of development and includes both indoor and outdoor play. Children play outdoors for a minimum of one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon, weather permitting. 

Each week, staff members plan and implement a program based on the observed interests and developmental needs of the children in their group. A weekly program plan is posted in the Parent Information Area.

Toddlers and preschoolers are provided daily with lunch, as well as a morning and afternoon snack. The weekly menu is posted in the Parent Information Area. 

The children also rest after lunch, for a period not exceeding two hours, on cots provided by the program.

Kindergarten and School Age Programs

Kindergarten (44 months to 68 months) and School Age (68 months to 12 years) Children

Staff in extended day programs work closely in partnership with HWDSB staff to provide a consistent experience for children and their families Before and After School.

Before School Programs

Before school programs begin at 7:00 am. Parents are required to bring their children into the school building to assure their safe arrival into the program. Children remain in the program until the morning school bell rings.

A morning snack, consisting of items one might eat for breakfast (e.g. fresh fruit, cereal with milk, muffins, toast) is offered. The menu is posted in the Parent Information Area in each program.

A variety of activities, designed to stimulate all areas of development, and based on the observed interests of children, is provided. The weekly program plan is posted in the Parent Information Area.

After School Programs

After school programs begin as soon as school is dismissed in the afternoon. Parents are required to pick up their children by 6:00 pm.

An afternoon snack (e.g. fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, vegetables and dip, etc.) is offered. The menu is posted in the Parent Information Area in each centre.

A variety of activities that are of interest to school-age children (e.g. arts and crafts, games, puzzles, sport activities, music, etc.) are offered each afternoon, based on the observed interests of children. The weekly program plan is posted in the Parent Information Area.

Children participate in active outdoor activities each afternoon, so it is essential that children have appropriate clothing (e.g. running shoes, outerwear, etc.). Our outdoor session is longer than a 15-minute recess period, so hat, gloves, sunscreen, etc. are a necessity.

Extracurricular After School Activities

From time to time, children in school-age programs may be involved in supervised activities organized by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board that occur either before or after school. Permission to participate in such a program must be granted in advance by the child’s parents – not the child care staff. Please notify the program, using the appropriate Umbrella form, when your child will be participating in an extra-curricular activity. If a child needs to spend additional time in his/her school program (e.g. sports team, club, assisting a teacher, gaining additional help, etc.), the child must first report to the Umbrella staff to assure their safety.

P.A. (Professional Activity) Days

Programs for Kindergarten and School-Age children are offered in select locations on P.A. Days. If these programs are not available at your child’s location, you will be offered care at another Umbrella centre. Children are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

P.A. Days provide the Kindergarten and School age staff members and children the opportunities to plan and implement activities that are not possible during regular program operation. Field trips are common on P.A. Days, where children travel to and from a place of interest, under the careful supervision of our staff members. A variety of additional activities take place at each program, ensuring that children enjoy their day off. You will be provided with information about these programs at to the start of each school year and be invited to register.

Once you register for a P.A. Day, fees will apply regardless of whether your child attends or not. (This is because we coordinate staffing, trip locations and buses based on the number of children enrolled.)

Programs During School Breaks

Full day programs are offered in select schools during School Break Periods (e.g. Christmas, March Break and summer) for Kindergarten and School-age children. If these programs are not available in your child’s school, you will be offered care in another nearby school. Children are accepted on a first come, first served basis. You will be provided with information about these programs prior to each school break and be invited to register.

Once you register for these programs, fees will apply regardless of whether your child attends or not. (This is because we coordinate staffing, trip locations and buses based on the number of children enrolled.)