Our curriculum
A structured program which supports the child through every year of pre-school
Our balanced curriculum begins with our Mom & Tot program and continues through our Tumble Tot Twos, Thoughtful Threes and Flourishing Fours. This comprehensive program focuses on the five areas of development with additional pedagogical components to further enrich their learning.
| Cognitive skills | observing, classifying, solving problems |
| Social emotional goals | self-care/independence, social & emotional development |
| English language goals | listening, speaking, pre-reading, pre-writing |
| French language goals | listening, speaking, pre-reading, pre-writing |
| Fine motor goals | practical, sensory/tactile |
| Creative arts | drawing, painting, multi-media, musical |
| Gross motor | locomotive, ball, balance |
Based on these skills, parents receive 2 written assessments throughout the school year and one interim report. As well, an agenda is sent home every day in order to ensure a strong parent-teacher communication.
Tumble Tot Twos
An introductory year to the Montessori approach, the Orchard House philosophy and the social aspect that the school environment brings.
The Tumble Tot program for Twos is many-fold. Children are placed in small groups of 8, and are exposed to various aspects of the Orchard House program:
The Montessori Program provides the children with an introduction to simple Montessori activities. The children gradually adopt the concept of the Montessori 'Work Cycle', where they learn to independently choose an activity, practice it, complete it and return it to its rightful place on the shelf. Shelf activities include transferring rice with a spoon, pouring water into glasses, sorting beads and buttoning clothes frames. Through these simple yet repetitive exercises, the children learn to develop responsible work habits that will last with them a lifetime. Goals in this area include developing concentration, independence, as well as dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
The Art Program provides the children with opportunities for open-ended art exploration. Through a variety of media, the children develop skills which include eye-hand coordination and fine motor control. They learn about shape, symbol and pattern recognition (all of which are pre-literacy and pre-math skills), and gradually develop their creativity and their sense of self-expression.
Gross motor play is an area where the children can not only test and develop their gross motor skills, but can also freely explore their language and communication skills with their friends. Here, the children are encouraged to climb, run and crawl, and to catch and throw balls to their friends. Children learn to follow directions, imitate actions and enjoy a positive outlet for their bundles of energy!
The Theme-Based Learning Centers Approach allows the children to learn through social experiences. They explore and develop language and social skills through the various centers on display. Center choices include the dramatic play area, blocks & building area, music area and literature area. As they learn to follow directions, the children gradually strengthen their auditory processing skills.
French language acquisition is an essential aspect of our program, and is incorporated into our daily activities. The Tumble Tot Twos receive an introduction to the language through songs, stories and games.
Music is incorporated into our daily program, and an additional music lesson is offered once a week by our visiting music teacher. The program includes learning songs through the use of mini instruments and movements, learning about rhythm and beat, and presenting two concerts to the parents during the school year.
Field Trips and special community guests are an important part of our curriculum, and the outings usually correspond to the themes in our Learning Center. Guests are also invited to come and give talks at our Center, and parents are encouraged to come and share hobbies and interests with the children.
Thoughtful Threes
an increased level of autonomy and a greater level of exploration to further support the child’s development
Practical Life
Children learn to care for themselves and their environment, so building fine motor skills, practicing interpersonal communication skills, and gaining confidence and competence in daily life skills. Pouring, lacing, washing, serving oneself snack, are just a few examples of practical life exercises.
The Montessori Classroom
Children work independently at activities from the five main areas of the Montessori classroom:
Sensorial/Perceptual
Here, children develop an ability to order, to classify and to seriate. They learn to perceive differences in size, weight, shape, temperature, sound, and color. Through the sensorial activities, children prepare themselves not only for the upcoming math activities but for the language ones too: many of the sensorial activities deal with muscle development for later hand-writing, sound differentiation for language development and left to right organization for reading preparation.
Mathematics
Children are first exposed to physical impressions of size, quantity, numbers and counting. They make use of carefully developed hands-on materials in order to internalize the concepts learned, and are only later introduced to the more abstract concepts of sequence and operations.
Language Arts
Phonics-based materials lead the children through a natural progression of writing and reading skills, which build upon one another. Yet again, the children work through language manipulatives, such as sandpaper letters and alphabet cut-outs, and through such physical manipulation are more readily able to internalize the lessons learned.
Culture
Various classroom materials and projects assist the children in gaining an understanding of geography, the needs of man, and the beauty of the variety of cultures and customs within our world. Puzzle maps of the world, land and water forms, and many artifacts from around the globe enrich this facet of the curriculum.
Learning Centers
We design effective Centers to help the children relate to the world around them. In these Centers, the children can try out many ideas and rearrange happenings to fit their level of understanding. Small groups of children work and play together cooperatively while getting an immediate response to their ideas, communication and work. They explore, discover and play more freely.
Play is essential to any early childhood program. In play, children develop problem solving skills, language skills and social skills. Themes in the Learning Center include Big and Little, It's a Luau and Community Helpers.
French makes up 50% of the Thoughtful Threes program, and is taught during the Learning Centers. Here, children begin to develop simple phrases and to acquire new vocabulary through drama, play and small group activities.
Music is incorporated into our daily program, and an additional music lesson is offered once a week by our visiting music teacher. The program includes learning songs through the use of mini instruments and movements, learning about rhythm and beat, and presenting two concerts to the parents during the school year.
Field Trips and special community guests are an important part of our curriculum, and the outings usually correspond to the themes in our Learning Center. Guests are also invited to come and give talks at our Center, and parents are encouraged to come and share hobbies and interests with the children.
Flourishing Fours
a French immersion program which focuses on literacy, numeracy and the skills necessary to be successful in Kindergarten.
The Flourishing Fours class is a French Immersion program where children are encouraged to communicate solely in French. The primary goal for this Pre-K year is to equip the children with the language skills necessary for them to have successful experiences in any French or bilingual Kindergarten classroom.
The children engage in a variety of stimulating activities
- In math-based activities, they begin to develop number sense, make numerical comparisons, interpret graphs, and learn the concept of time and measurement.
- In language-based activities, they develop an understanding of phonemic awareness, the Writing Process, and comprehension strategies.
- Through various projects, they explore the Scientific Method and learn about topics such as Life Cycles, Recycling, and Objects in Motion.
- They also develop an understanding and an appreciation of the world around them by learning about the similarities and differences between communities, and by experiencing various cultures through photos, music and food.
In the Learning Centers classroom, the Flourishing Fours apply their language skills in centers such as the Drama Area, Building Area, Art Area, Gross Motor Area and Literature Area. Through various group activities, the children not only develop friendships, but also learn how to negotiate through conflicts and resolve problems in mature and positive ways. In this area, they tackle topics such as Safety in the Neighborhood, Hygiene and Healthy Habits, Promises, and Making Decisions.
Music is incorporated into our daily program, and an additional music lesson is offered once a week by our visiting music teacher. The program includes learning songs through the use of mini instruments and movements, learning about rhythm and beat, and presenting two concerts to the parents during the school year.
Field Trips and special community guests are an important part of our curriculum, and the outings usually correspond to the themes in our Learning Center. Guests are also invited to come and give talks at our Center, and parents are encouraged to come and share hobbies and interests with the children.
Additional programs
Play helps children make sense of the world around them. If you encourage your child to lead in play, the experience will remain meaningful and relevant to her.
Mom & Tot Playgroup
Mom & Tot classes meet twice a week for a series of enjoyable activities guided by our early childhood educators. The program includes story time, music and movement, arts and crafts, and group activities.
Our gentle approach encourages children to feel secure and safe at Orchard House and develop a positive attitude for their first school experience. This program has the option of a separation component; in which children are able to participate in group and individual activities with limited assistance and are ready to attend school without mom.
Yummy!Our sample menu!
Lunch Bunch program
A lunch bunch program is offered daily. Freshly catered, organic, nut-free meals are provided. We also offer the option for your child to bring his/her lunch from home.
This hour long program focuses on both the practical and social skills involved in sharing a meal together. Children are encouraged to feed themselves, discuss healthy food choices, and tidy up after a meal.
Afternoon programs
These activities are offered daily, from 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm.
Our afternoon activities enhance learning and encompass a range of interests. Sample Afternoon Activities are described below:
Quench that French - Sing-along-in-Spanish - Ni Hao Mandarin
Foreign languages expose children to a whole new world of words, and in doing so, promote an appreciation of diversity through language. We, at Orchard House, strongly encourage foreign language learning at the preschool level, where teachers can maximize on the children's ability and willingness to learn. As the children learn a second or third language through fun and play, they will enhance their overall mental development. In particular, they will increase their overall language skills, heighten their sense of self-esteem, strengthen their thinking and reasoning skills, as well as their math and reading ability.
Montessori Madness
Children participate in Montessori exercises where they practice various skills at their own pace. Activities include exercises in the Practical Life, Sensorial, Language and Mathematics areas. As they work, children increase their concentration and time spent on tasks. These successful experiences encourage intrinsic motivation and aid children in reaching their potential.
Kindergarten Readiness Program
The purpose of this afternoon program is to introduce children to exercises and routines that will be useful for Kindergarten. Children experience and practice a "full day" at school where they engage in enrichment activities in Mathematics, Language Arts and Conflict Resolution.
In Mathematics, children begin to practice simple operations, compare quantities and use their math skills in various role-play exercises (e.g. the supermarket). With the use of board games, children learn letter sounds and combine sounds to form words. Children discuss story elements and finally publish their own fiction story. Through drama and literature, children learn to express feelings in a positive manner, discuss how to resolve conflicts democratically, and practice "friendship" skills.
Science and Discovery
Through hands-on experiments and observations, children learn to implement the scientific process, asking a scientific question, constructing a hypothesis, doing an experiment, drawing conclusions and communicating their results. Fun themes include magnets, sinking and floating, the weather, and color mixing.
Boot Camp
Children engage in athletic games which take place both indoors and outdoors. Through group games, they are encouraged to demonstrate sportsmanship and an interest in helping their own team! Through these guided activities, children develop the following areas: large muscles (running), lower body strengthening (kicking, hopping, skipping, jumping), and eye-hand coordination (catching and throwing).
Fun with Art/ L’art c’est amusant!
Through storytelling and observation, children become familiar with various artists from around the world. They explore a variety of art materials and art techniques to create 2- and 3-dimensional art work. Children display and discuss their masterpiece at the end of each class.
Les Petits Chefs
Children learn about the six food groups through sensorial activities (such as smelling, touching and tasting). The children participate in making special dishes related to a monthly topic (e.g. fall vegetables, summer fruits, winter treats remove question mark) They also work on developing fine motor skills through measuring, pouring, stirring, mixing, and kneading various foods. All young chefs get to eat / drink their work of art at the end of each class. Bon Appetit!
Around the World in 80 Days
Children learn about a different country every week. They study the map and become familiar with different geographical regions. Children participate in making flags, costumes, and discussing various cultures. This program is filled with colorful activities!
Dance & Creative Movement
The Dance class helps children of all ages experience the joy of dance. They learn to use their own bodies to explore space, rhythm and music through fun activities, steps and routines.
Yoga
Our Yoga program is designed for young children to develop the relationship between their physical and mental wellbeing. This is done by using an interactive approach. In doing so, the children gain a sense of control over their mind and body in a very relaxing environment.
Actualité en français
This program gives children the opportunity to learn about current events that are taking place around the world, for example: the Olympics. It is designed to broaden children’s horizons to the world around by implementing a multi-dimensional approach.
Do Re Mi Sing with Me
MontréalOur year calendar!
Pointe-ClaireOur year calendar!
Our music program allows children to explore the elements and theory of music using a variety of mini-instruments and materials. Children will learn a repertoire of songs from a variety of cultures, practice various rhythms and have some time to create their own musical masterpieces!
Early and extended day care
After school care is provided for families from
- 3:00pm – 5:00pm at our Notre-Dame-de Grace centre
- 3.00pm – 6.00pm at our Pointe-Claire centre
During this time, children enjoy literature-based exercises and engage in free-play activities.
