At a Glance
Encouraging Discovery and Play
Play is at the heart of everything we do at the Early Learning Centre. We understand that preschool-aged children develop valuable self-regulation and problem-solving skills through play. This leads to the growth of emergent literacy, vocabulary, and early mathematics skills, which are strong predictors of continued success in later years.
Program Benefits
A Safe, Nurturing Environment
01
Our team of qualified and passionate Early Childhood Educators includes teaching staff who have been working together for over ten years.
02
Students have many opportunities for play-based, hands-on learning, both indoors and outdoors, in our safe and caring setting.
03
Small class sizes and plenty of opportunities for family involvement contribute to the Early Learning Centre’s supportive and personalized learning environment.
Programs
Enriched Educational Opportunities
French
JK4 Only
Our French teacher visits the JK4 class once a week and uses games, songs, and hands-on activities to help the children develop an understanding of the French language. The introduction of French during preschool, using the Accelerative Integrated Method (AIM), allows children to become acquainted with French at an early age.
Music
Students are exposed to music every day through songs, clapping games, and dancing. A more formal music time is held once a week. Our music teacher engages students’ minds and bodies through a mixture of singing, dancing, acting, and the use of musical instruments.
P.E.
The Junior Kindergarten P.E. specialist teaches each JK class once a week. We focus on the development of skills like balancing, traveling in different ways, turn-taking and following one-two step directions. Our P.E. teacher often takes advantage of our 40-acre campus by taking the P.E. classes outside.
Drama
Dramatic play is an important part of our program; students are given the opportunity to role-play, express emotions and share ideas. So fun! This early exposure builds confidence, empathy, and clear communication skills.
Art
Art is an everyday opportunity in Junior Kindergarten: our teachers focus on engaging students in a variety of open-ended, and often messy, art experiences. Students are empowered to make their own discoveries through experimentation with materials, mediums, and tools. Students develop skills such as fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and creative problem-solving.
Library
Our librarian helps students choose developmentally appropriate reading materials to share with their families at home. In addition, our librarian provides stories, songs and learning engagements related to the class’s Units of Inquiry.
Forest Day
It’s a fact: Outdoor play is foundational to children’s healthy development. Our weekly Forest Days provide students with high-quality, unstructured play in natural areas around our 40-acre campus. In addition to gaining environmental awareness and a connection to nature, outdoor play promotes students’ cognitive and social development, physical health, mental well-being, improved executive functioning, and MORE!
Yoga
JK4 Full Day Program Only
Students are introduced to the mindfulness of Yoga on a weekly basis. Yoga practice can improve focus, memory, self-esteem, and emotional regulation. Yoga is also linked to reduced anxiety and stress in children.
And more!
Jolly Phonics, Public Speaking, Outdoor Education, we do it all! Our educators collaborate weekly to develop and implement meaningful learning engagement for every child.
Meet Alison Strobl
EARLY LEARNING CENTRE DIRECTOR
As Aspengrove School’s Early Learning Centre Director, Alison Strobl oversees the Early Learning Team and our Junior Kindergarten and Out of School Care Programmes. Alison has been with Aspengrove School for 16 years—first serving in various educational roles specific to Early Childhood Education, including Lead Junior Kindergarten Teacher for five years, before assuming her role as Early Learning Centre Director in 2020.
Outdoor Learning
Connecting with Nature
At the Early Learning Centre, we value time spent outdoors, with weekly forest classes and opportunities to play outside, rain or shine, right here on our beautiful 40-acre campus, located just outside of Nanaimo! We know that with increased exposure to nature and the outdoors, children’s creative thinking, motivation, and well-being are boosted. Alongside our outdoor classes, our students participate in various indoor activities delivered by our team of dedicated, specialist Early Childhood Educators.
NUTRITIOUS offerings
Nanaimo Foodshare
The Early Learning Centre is excited to announce a partnership with Nanaimo Foodshare for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a pilot project aimed at providing healthy lunch options for our youngest students.
A variety of lunches made from local sustainable foods will be provided to all students registered in our Junior Kindergarten Programme. The menu includes a variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, and baked goods, with all meals being nut-free.
Click here to learn more about Nanaimo Foodshare.
Junior Kindergarten Programs
Junior Kindergarten 3-4 Program Options
Families can choose between three preschool program options at both the Junior Kindergarten 3 and Junior Kindergarten 4 levels:
Programs
Doors Open: 7:45 a.m. | Classes Begin: 8:15 a.m.
- Extended Day Program
- Monday – Friday: 7:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Tuition: $19,580
- Estimated Child Care Fee Reduction: – $5,440
- Net Fees Payable: $14,140
- Monthly Installments: $1,414
- Full Day Program
- Monday – Friday: 7:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
- Tuition: $17,080
- Estimated Child Care Fee Reduction: – $5,440
- Net Fees Payable: $11,640
- Monthly Installments: $1,164
- Half Day Program
- Monday – Friday: 7:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
- Tuition: $10,280
- Estimated Child Care Fee Reduction: – $805
- Net Fees Payable: $9,475
- Monthly Installments: $947
Aspengrove School is a participating school under the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative, which can reduce the cost of daycare for students enrolled in JK and Kindergarten students who are enrolled in Out of School Care.
The subsidy will be automatically credited to your account based on enrollment. Students enrolled in Full-Time Daycare can receive up to $545 per month towards the cost of daycare.
Summer Program
Our summer program includes a variety of fun learning activities such as independent inquiry, nature walks, gym time, art projects, and reading. Sign up begins May 2025.
Visit our blog to read more about the Early Learning Centre, including the recent Early Learning Centre Fair!
Our Faculty and Staff
Meet the Aspengrove team, whose enthusiasm for learning, diverse skill sets, and student-centred care enrich our school community.