Questions about the Pre-primary School
Following are some questions people have had about our program and facility.
Is the facility licensed?
Yes, the Oak and Orca Pre-primary is a licensed child care facility under the Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Do you have an Early Childhood Educator?
As a lisenced facility, we have a certified Early Childhood Educator on site. All of our staff is trained at Oak and Orca to teach our unique methods and approach.
How many children are in the facility?
The facility is lisenced for sixteen children. When at capacity we have sixteen children and two or more staff.
What is Pre-primary?
Oak and Orca Pre-primary school is a school for children aged 3-5 years. While we are a lisenced child-care facility, we see this as a school since our activities are playful, yet educational.
What are the hours?
The pre-primary program runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily. Drop-off time is generally between 8:30 and 9:30 am. Pick-up time is between 3:00 and 3:30 pm. For an additional fee, after school care is offered ending at 5:00 pm.
What are the fees?
Pre-primary school fees are $650 per child per month. Additional fees for after school care (3:00-5:00) are $100 per month. There is one other fee, $100 per year for school supplies and activities. If you qualify for a full child care subsidy, the government will generally contribute $550 per month.
Is there a part-time option?
A limitted number of spaces may be available for children to attend the program one or two days per week. Part-time fess are $35 per day (9:00-3:00.) After care fees (3:00-5:00) are $10 per day.
Is this a daycare?
Traditional daycares are set up to provide supervision, play opportunities and some limited enriched learning opportunities. The structure and schedule of a daycare are set and success is measured by the ease in which these can be provided.
Oak and Orca Pre-Primary School holds the educational needs of the individual children first and foremost. These needs must be met through structure and scheduling while in a group setting, but the individual children remain the focus of the program. In this way our programming, from the planning stages up, is distinctly different from that of a traditional daycare.
Is my child ready for school?
Not all children aged 3-5 are ready for the opportunities we offer at the pre-primary school. Developmentally, children must be ready for the opportunities at the school. Children must be toilet trained, and be able to make choices and communicate those choices to staff. Importantly, your child should want to go to school so that learning is fun and not forced. There are no academic requirements. As with all our programs children will not be forced into learning anything they are not ready for. You should definately bring your children for a tour of the facility so that they has an opportunity to be part of the decision.
What do children learn?
Children have a variety of educational choices that are fun and challenging. These include group and individual activities. Children learn what they choose to learn and what they are naturally ready to learn. All children are exposed to academic subjects like reading, drawing, writing and math. However, it is each child's choice what to learn. We never force learning, but we do encourage learning and provide varied opportunities. It is important to understand that we do not plan to teach children any particular thing unless they choose it, and are ready for it. Please don't expect your child to learn to read at an early age. At Oak and Orca, each child will learn to read when he/she is ready to.
What does a tour entail?
Depending on your questions, a tour will take a minimum of 45 minutes. You will be shown around the facility and given an idea of a daily schedule for the children. Children are welcome on the tour. If you choose to come without your child initially, it is important to set up a second tour for your child. It is important that children want to come to Oak and Orca.
