A parent participation preschool is organized by a group of families with similar philosophies who hire a trained teacher to provide their children with a quality preschool experience.  Parent, children, and their teachers all learn together.

Learning through play

At Lambrick Park Preschool we provide a learning environment where children learn through play.  Through play many of the necessary skills for later life are developed. 

A play based curriculum:

• Supports the development of the whole child- socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually.
• Allows for the recognition of each child's unique learning style, abilities and developmental level.
• Allows for hands on learning, where the curriculum can emerge from the children's interests, needs and desires;  making learning concrete and meaningful.

Central to our program is the belief that:

• Children thrive in an atmosphere of trust where they are provided with support in a safe and gentle environment.
• A child's self-esteem and ability to learn are interdependent. That is, children succeed when they have a strong sense of self, therefore we believe it is important to foster a sense of competency and independence in all aspects of the child's being.

Behaviour Management - Guidance Policy

Guidance and discipline are integral parts of the preschool program, whose aims are to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for children. 

Children in cooperative preschool programs are encouraged to become self-disciplined as they learn appropriate and acceptable ways to treat themselves and others and their environment.

Early Childhood Educators are expected to be effective role models for parents, providing them with ongoing communication and feedback as discipline issues arise.  The ECE is responsible for the program, the set-up of the classroom and the overall discipline.

The ECE and parents in cooperative preschools are both expected to:

• Be caring and respectful to all children, using appropriate verbal and physical interaction.  Guidance strategies will focus on the child's behaviour rather than the child
• Provide clear, consistent limits
• Use verbal direction and redirection for guidance, stating expectations in a positive fashion allowing the children time to respond
• Recognize and encourage positive behaviours in the program
• Validate children's feelings
• Encourage children to use adults as a resource when having difficulty
• Supervise children at all times

Where the parent participant is unsure about this guide, the Early Childhood Educator should be consulted.

Cooperative preschools adhere to the Ministry of Health handbook, Guidance and Discipline with Young Children.  This booklet is included in the Parent Portfolio for your information.