Programs

Several children standing at a large easel, painting

Thoughtfully designed for young minds to thrive.

Full-day and part time programs for children aged 15 months to 5 years, inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy

FAQs

  • You're absolutely right—childcare is a significant investment, and at Atelier Kids, we believe that families deserve exceptional value in return. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to excellence in every detail of your child’s experience.

    Our educators are the heart of our program. We invest deeply in them with daily planning time, ongoing professional development, and a best-in-class work environment—resulting in one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry. That means your child is always surrounded by familiar, trusted faces, not rotating staff or temporary hires.

    We offer a beautifully balanced curriculum grounded in the Reggio Emilia approach, with daily outdoor learning, rich creative exploration, and real-world community outings to places like High Park, local theatres, restaurants, and museums. Our children don’t just learn in a classroom—they engage with the world around them.

    Parents stay deeply connected throughout the day with our communication app, which shares updates, photos, videos, meals, naps, and toileting details in real time. Each family also receives a curated Journey Book—a gorgeous, personalized record of their child’s growth and experiences—along with professional family photo days to help capture these fleeting, precious years.

    And beyond your child’s care, we prioritize building community. From seasonal celebrations to parent nights and class representatives, we make it easy to connect with other families who share your values.

    Atelier Kids offers more than childcare—it’s a thoughtfully crafted experience for your child and your entire family. We’re proud to provide a level of care, communication, and community that truly stands apart.

    • Full-time tuition: $2,795/month

    • Part-time options

      • 3 days/week (Mon-Wed-Fri): $1,750/month

      • 2 days/week (Tues-Thurs): $1,215/month

    • Infants: 0 -18 months (Annex only)

    • Toddlers: 15 – 30 months

    • Preschoolers: 2.5 – 4 years old

    • We are licensed through the Ministry of Education, Toronto Public Health, Toronto Fire, and Toronto Building Code. We receive regular inspections and comply with the required policies.

    • Toddlers: 12–15 children, 1:5 ratio

    • Preschool: 12–18 children, 1:8 ratio

      *These are guaranteed minimum ratios, which we typically exceed

    • We never rely on temp agencies or workers—our classrooms are staffed with familiar, trusted educators every day, thanks to our built-in support team that's always on hand when needed.

  • Our hours are 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM.

    We are closed for all public and bank holidays. We shut down in between Christmas and New Years Day.

    We offer our staff several professional development days throughout the year and families are notified well in advance when our centre is closed for PD.

  • Exceptional Educators, Exceptional Environment
    At Atelier Kids, we believe that the quality of care begins with the quality of our people. Our passionate, highly trained educators are the heart of our program—and we’re proud to have one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry. This stability ensures your child is nurtured in a consistent, familiar environment where relationships can flourish.

    We invest deeply in our team: from in-day planning time and ongoing professional development to a thoughtfully designed workplace culture that allows educators to thrive. We also work in an amazing community. With additional staff on hand when needed and no reliance on temp agencies, we maintain the highest standards of care, every single day.

  • We understand how hard it can be to miss out on the little moments throughout the day—and we’re here to help you stay closely connected to your child, even while you’re apart.

    Through our parent communication app, you’ll receive real-time updates on your child’s day—from what they ate and how long they napped to toileting details and learning activities. You’ll also enjoy a stream of beautiful photos and videos, which can be shared with anyone you approve. Of course, we respect each family’s preferences and always honour your privacy when it comes to photography.

    Beyond daily updates, we create a stunning, personalized Journey Book for every child—a thoughtfully curated keepsake that documents their growth, friendships, creative work, and meaningful experiences throughout the year. It’s like a yearbook, but far more intimate and special—our families often tell us it’s one of their most treasured mementos.

    We also host a professional family photo day, capturing beautiful images of you and your child to mark these precious milestones in time. At Atelier Kids, we know how meaningful these moments are—and we go out of our way to help you hold onto them.

  • Mealtimes at Atelier Kids are more than just fuel—they’re a daily celebration of connection, curiosity, and real food. In partnership with Real Food for Real Kids, we serve fresh, organic, and ethically sourced meals that are free from artificial additives and common allergens. But it doesn’t stop there. With family-style dining, a vibrant garden-to-table curriculum, and a joyful, social atmosphere, our children are inspired to explore new flavours, share stories around the table, and develop a lifelong love of wholesome food—often surprising even themselves (and their parents!) with what they’re willing to try.

  • After a nourishing lunch, most children are naturally ready to rest—full bellies and busy mornings make for sleepy little ones. At Atelier Kids, we create a peaceful, cozy environment by dimming the lights, playing calming music, and offering gentle back rubs from familiar educators. In fact, if you were to visit during nap time, you might be tempted to curl up and join them!

    We view rest as an essential part of the day—not just for children, but for adults too. Guided by the cadence of our Italian-inspired pedagogy, we embrace a midday pause to slow down, recharge, and prepare for an afternoon of joyful exploration.

  • It’s true—you’ll often spot the Atelier Kids crew out and about in High Park and beyond! Children are incredibly resilient, and we help build their confidence and stamina for community walks by starting with short, manageable outings. Over time, these little adventures become a cherished part of their routine.

    We’re always well-prepared: children wear clearly identifiable pinnies, our educators carry first aid kits, and we bring wagons for rest breaks if needed. With extra staff on hand, we ensure every child is supported, safe, and engaged throughout the journey.

    Most importantly, our children love being outside—rain or shine. We often invite our parents to join us as well, which is always enjoyed by our community. Whether it’s a visit to the park, a trip to a local theatre, a meal at a neighborhood restaurant, or an exploration of a nearby museum, we believe it’s essential to help children connect with the vibrant community around them.

  • Absolutely—it's true that children tend to get sick more often when they first enter childcare. A new environment means exposure to new germs and common childhood illnesses that are easily transmitted. While this can be challenging, it’s also a normal and important part of building a stronger immune system.

    At Atelier Kids, we take a proactive and supportive approach. Because we have extra staff on hand each day, we’re able to quickly remove a child who is feeling unwell from the group and provide individual care in a calm, quiet space until a parent or guardian arrives. Our team monitors each child’s health closely and notifies families right away if there are any concerns.

    We also follow rigorous daily sanitizing procedures to minimize the spread of illness and have the centre professionally cleaned every evening, ensuring it’s always fresh, safe, and ready for a new day of exploration.

    The same care applies to our educators. Illness among staff is a reality in this field, and we encourage our team to prioritize their health. Our staffing model allows for seamless coverage so educators can take time to recover without disrupting the program or the children’s day.

  • At Atelier Kids, we believe that a strong sense of community is just as important for parents as it is for children. While your child is thriving and happy in our care, we also create many opportunities for families to connect meaningfully with one another.

    We host seasonal events throughout the year—from festive winter gatherings to summer barbecues and elaborate end-of-year celebrations that are sometimes surprise parties just for the kids to Toronto Island or High Park. We also offer family photo days, knowing how busy life can be and how special it is to have beautiful keepsakes.

    Parent-teacher conferences, information nights, and dedicated class representatives further support connection, communication, and collaboration between families. We truly believe it takes a village to raise a child—and Atelier Kids offers a warm, vibrant village where both children and families feel a deep sense of belonging.

Daily Schedule

  • Children and their teacher in a hallway with cubbies along the walls, wearing casual clothes and hats, getting ready for an outdoor adventure

    7:30 – 9:30 AM

    Arrival & Free Play

    Children arrive and settle into the day with free play, fostering creativity and connections.

    A healthy breakfast snack is available.

  • Children with orange pinnies running through a beautiful forest trail, led by an enthusiastic educator

    9:45 – 11:00 AM

    Project Work & Outdoor Exploration

    Children engage in independent and small-group projects, exploring their interests with gentle guidance from educators. We are outside for at least 2 hours a day, all year-round. 

    Children explore our natural playground, garden, the forest and other community spaces.

  • Overhead view of a table with five plates of penne pasta, peas, and sauce, each with a spoon. Five metal cups are placed next to the plates.

    11:30 – 11:45 AM

    Tidying Up & Preparing For Lunch

    Children tidy their classrooms, wash up and gather to share their morning experiences.

  • Young child with blonde hair eating at a table with other children nearby, small metal cups and bowls of food on the table.

    11:45 – 12:30 PM

    Lunch

    A healthy, delicious meal is served. Children and educators enjoy this time together, sharing stories and building a healthy relationship with food.

  • Children sleeping on cots with a caregiver rubbing their backs lovingly

    12:30 – 2:30 PM

    Rest & Quiet Time

    After lunch, children prepare for rest by washing up and settling onto their beds. Soft music and dim lighting create a calm atmosphere.

    Those who do not nap are invited to rest for 30-60 minutes before quiet activities such as reading or drawing.

  • Child eating pasta and peas at a table with a stainless steel cup.

    2:30 – 3:00 PM

    Snack Time

    Children are greeted as they wake up and invited to have afternoon snack.

  • Child playing with a dinosaur figurine on a wooden stump outdoors.

    3:00 - 4:30 PM

    Revisiting Projects & Afternoon Outdoor Time

    The afternoon is an opportunity to revisit morning projects or dive into new learning experiences.

    Children head back outside for more play in the fresh air.

  • Happy children playing indoors with colorful materials and LED lights. A caring educator sits cross legged on the floor with them

    4:00 – 6:00 PM

    Pick-Up & Free Play

    Children enjoy unstructured play indoors and out, as they wind down from the day.

Time to Grow,
Time to Thrive

At Atelier Kids, time isn’t rushed—it’s cherished.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we value time for the opportunities it brings:

A loving educator playing the ukelele with a small child in her lap

Continuity

Children have the opportunity to build meaningful connections with familiar educators and peers over time, creating a supportive and consistent community. This continuity fosters a strong sense of security and belonging, allowing children to grow emotionally, explore confidently, and thrive in a nurturing environment.

Three little girls wearing butterfly wings and hugging

Socialization

With warm guidance from our educators, children develop essential skills in communication, self-regulation, conflict resolution, and making friendships—setting them up for success by building a strong foundation that allows them to navigate social interactions with confidence and focus more fully on their academics.

A child very focused on dipping her paintbrush in paint

Rich Experiences

Children fully engage in activities, exploring their interests with curiosity and intention. With the freedom to revisit and build upon their experiences at their own pace, they deepen their understanding, form meaningful connections, and develop insights about the world around them—nurturing a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

We understand the importance of a supportive transition into group care, for both child and caregivers. Rooted in research on attachment theory, we have developed a comprehensive family onboarding experience.

Our educators connect with each new family to prepare them and offer visits before starting. When children observe their caregivers at ease in our environment, it reassures them that it is a safe place to be.

As children progress through our classrooms, administrators work closely with families and educators to make thoughtful, collaborative decisions about placement and timelines.

We work to address the needs of each child by honouring friendships, educator relationships and by giving them the opportunity to visit their new classrooms multiple times, ensuring a smooth and confident transition.

A green triangular character with eyes and thin legs jumping up and down

Growing Together, Every Step of the Way

Why Atelier Kids?

  • Woman reading to two children in a cozy setting with children's books

    Nurturing Environment

    Full-day care in a nurturing, creative environment.

  • Child playing with colorful wooden stacking arches on wooden floor.

    Inquiry-Based Learning

    A Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum focused on inquiry and exploration.

  • Four young children wearing bright orange  pinnies walk towards a pond in a forested area, surrounded by lush green trees.

    Indoor & Outdoor Fun

    A unique blend of learning experiences.

  • A woman and a child engaged in using clay and natural materials such as pine cones and leaves, in a bright art studio

    Inclusive Support

    Care that values every child’s journey