Programs
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.
Daily Schedule
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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.
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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.
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11:30 – 11:45 AM
Tidying Up & Preparing For Lunch
Children tidy their classrooms, wash up and gather to share their morning experiences.
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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.
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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.
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2:30 – 3:00 PM
Snack Time
Children are greeted as they wake up and invited to have afternoon snack.
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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.
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4:00 – 6:00 PM
Pick-Up & Free Play
Children enjoy unstructured play indoors and out, as they wind down from the day.
FAQs
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Infants: 0 -18 months (Annex only)
Toddlers: 15 – 30 months
Preschoolers: 2.5 – 4 years old
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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 exceedWe 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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:
Continuity
Children have the opportunity to build meaningful connections with familiar educators and peers over time due to our low turnover, 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.
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.
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.
Growing Together, Every Step of the Way
Why Atelier Kids?
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Nurturing Environment
Full-day care in a nurturing, creative environment.
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Inquiry-Based Learning
A Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum focused on inquiry and exploration.
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Indoor & Outdoor Fun
A unique blend of learning experiences.
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Inclusive Support
Care that values every child’s journey

