The HighScope educational program is research-based. Its core principles are active learning, democratic adult-child interactions, and a learning environment where children can make choices and manipulate materials. The HighScope program values children’s engagement in their play and community, all within a stable and secure daily routine and in partnership with adults.
“If I differ from you, far from harming you, I will actually enhance you.”
(Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
The multi-age approach is very old and has the advantage of being based on the family unit. It is defined as a combination of children of varying ages with different levels of development, cultural backgrounds, personalities, and interests. Thus, each child has their place, each child has something to offer the others, each child progresses at their own pace, and each child has the opportunity to be who they truly are.
The multi-age group provides an important educational environment that promotes:
The advantages:
In a multi-age setting, children remain in the same group for several years, and this consistency in attendance leads to a stability that helps limit undesirable behaviors, facilitates better communication with the family, and promotes the creation of a strong attachment bond that allows the child to feel safe and freely explore their environment for proper development.
“The start of the school year is the threshold of all discoveries; every new beginning is a chance to grow, learn, and reinvent oneself.”
(Taha-Hassine Ferhat)
A school transition is a significant period of change for a child. Our mission is therefore to implement strategies to support the child, as well as the family, through this major transition to make it as smooth as possible.
“Parents are the seed of the child and the soil in which he grows.”
(Martin Gray)
That is why parents are invited to share in the children’s daily life in the environment throughout the year, through the activities offered.
For us, instilling in children the basic principles of a healthy and balanced diet is of great importance, as it has a significant impact on their overall development. Our menus are therefore based on a variety of foods to encourage the discovery of tastes and flavors, on offering fresh fruits and vegetables (mostly locally sourced), on whole grains, and on proteins (half plant-based and half animal-based).
Our meals are lovingly prepared on-site by our food service staff, who carefully limit processed foods, sodium, and added sugars in the recipes. Every new child joining the daycare receives a complimentary bottle of water from the daycare so they can drink whenever they want.
“The secret to living well: eat half as much, walk twice as much, laugh three times as much, and love without measure.”
(Tibetan proverb)
A child who is developing has every right to dream about who they want to become. That’s why we’ve created a space where children can explore, imagine, create, develop a love of learning, and above all, enjoy discovering new things. Reading to a child is a playful and informal introduction to the written word and phonological awareness, well before they start school.
In each of our facilities, to encourage a love of reading, we’ve provided families with a book exchange. The principle is simple: “Take a book or give a book”—it couldn’t be easier. Because a good book is meant to be enjoyed more than once.
“Reading is dreaming with your eyes open.”
(Kerry Reichs)
Here, we guarantee the right to education and equality for every child by promoting respect, acceptance, sharing and inclusion.
“The diversity of each individual makes the wealth of all.”
(Julos Beaucarne)
“Every human group draws its strength from communication, mutual support and solidarity aimed at a common goal: the fulfillment of each individual while respecting differences.”
(Françoise Dolto)
