Early Years at Elmwood

Our nurturing environment encourages our youngest students to feel secure and helps them start to build their independence. We balance a rich, academic environment with creative and purposeful play, helping students construct a solid base of knowledge of the world around them. A skilled, dedicated educator who is an expert in early childhood education and inquiry-based learning leads each classroom. In our purpose-built Junior School, the Kindergarten classrooms are designed to meet the needs of our youngest students. Through experiential and imaginative play, Elmwood students engage in early literacy activities and tackle mathematical problems using a variety of strategies, helping them establish a strong foundation for their future studies.

We are so pleased to have our daughter in the Pre-K program at Elmwood. At only three years old, we can already see her passion for school flourishing. Her engaging and loving teachers make every day fun and exciting for the girls. Each day our daughter can't wait to tell us about her new learning and adventures had with friends.

~ Pre-Kindergarten Parent

Early Years has three components:

Pre-Kindergarten: 3 years old by December 31st of the academic year
Junior Kindergarten: 4 years old by December 31st of the academic year
Senior Kindergarten: 5 years old by December 31st of the academic year

Program Highlights:

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
Healthy snacks and meals provided by the Elmwood Bistro
Ample outdoor learning
Before and after-care

Early Years Daily Schedule

9 to 9:30 a.m. Circle time
9:30 to 9:50 a.m. Math activity
9:50 to 10:05 a.m. Story time and snack
10:05 to 10:10 a.m. Body break
10:10 to 10:30 a.m. Literacy activity
10:30 to 11 a.m. Screen-free break
11 to 11:30 a.m. - Small group and 1:1 learning
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Break
1:30 to 1:50 p.m. Art, science, inquiry
1:50 to 2:10 p.m. French
2:10 to 2:30 p.m. Reflections and farewell

Welcome to Early Years at Elmwood!

Explore our Early Years facilities, including our kindergarten classrooms through our 3D self-guided tour.

Overheard at Elmwood Podcast

Early years educators Kate Meadowcroft (PYP Coordinator), Vanessa and Carole Hawley discuss play-based learning, the value of student choice, laying a foundation for lifelong learning and how parents can best prepare their children for Early Years!

Early Years On-Demand Open House

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP)

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) programmes aim to do more than other curricula. The IB gives students distinct advantages by building their critical thinking skills, nurturing their curiosity and their ability to solve complex problems.

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong journey of learning.

Each of the IB's programmes is committed to the development of the whole child according to the IB learner profile.

The profile aims to develop learners who are: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, inquirers, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.

Is your daughter ready for Kindergarten?

Kindergarten is an exciting time of learning and growth! Help prepare your daughter for Kindergarten with our Top Five Tips for Kindergarten Readiness!

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