Licenced Preschool Program

The Cookie Monster Preschool has been serving families since 1972 at the Douglas Recreation Centre.  Over time the program has developed from a recreational program to a licensed preschool. We are proud of our history and the quality of our preschool. During the 2023-2024 School Year, Cookie Monster Preschool will be re-locating at Timms Community Centre as Douglas Recreation Centre will be going through an extensive renovation to create 72 new child care spaces.
 

The goals and objectives for our preschool are based on the belief that children learn through play, exploration and interaction with other children.  Our preschool is intentionally structured in order to provide the children with opportunities to explore, make choices and interact with other children and adults in the classroom.
 
We believe that a child’s growth is sequential.  This is reflected in certain routines which are repeated each time your child attends class.  These routines allow the freedom for each child to grow at his/her own pace socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.

A $50 non-refundable fee and the September payment are due at the time of registration. Monthly payments are due on the 1st of each month by automatic withdrawal from a credit card or bank account. 

Affordable Child Care Benefit
The Affordable Child Care Benefit is a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Factors like income, family size, and type of care determine how much support families can get. Families need to renew their application every year.

We are proud of our teaching staff and their qualifications. Our staff are chosen for their skills in providing loving and understanding care to children.  We are dedicated to providing the best environment for your child’s growth and development. 
 
All preschool teachers are licensed in Early Childhood Education, and have completed Criminal Record checks and valid first aid certificates.

Free Play:
During this time the children are encouraged to discover, explore and use their imagination while engaging in the block, manipulative, dramatic, art, sensory, library and science centers in the classroom.
 
Activity Transition:
Our teacher uses songs to signal a change in the routine. For example, clean up time has a “Clean Up” song and the children learn to clean up.
 
Learning Centres:
Learning centres are areas within our classroom with a collection of activities and materials.  These materials are related by subject, purpose, or projected skills.  These activities and materials are used independently by the children, or with teacher direction, to reinforce and/or enrich one or more skills or concepts. 
 
Snack:
We have a snack time during every class, and parents are asked to provide a healthy, appropriate-sized snack and water or juice in a reusable container for their child. Due to allergy concerns, we do not encourage sharing. 
 
Music and Movement:
Through movement, children develop gross motor skills and stay fit at the same time. They learn cause and effect, action and reaction and adding music makes it fun. The children move to the beat, finding their rhythm.
 
Gross Motor Skills:
Our program plans for at least 30 minutes each day of either outside playground time at our newly fenced in playground or inside gym time.
 
Circle Time:
Teacher-led activities include songs, poetry, finger-plays, discussions, stories, puppets, music and movement or drama.