The Early Years
We believe that a child's first educational experiences are the stepping stones to a lifetime of learning. Our Program fosters a love for learning in a nurturing and engaging environment.
We believe that a child's first educational experiences are the stepping stones to a lifetime of learning. Our Program fosters a love for learning in a nurturing and engaging environment.
Our Early Years Program for Toddlers and Pre-kindergarten embraces the natural curiosity of children, encouraging them to explore and discover through play, interaction, and inquiry.
Our approach is holistic, ensuring that each child feels valued and connected to the VMA community and the world at large. Our educators are specialists in early childhood education, and they create a warm, welcoming space that supports each child's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our classrooms are vibrant learning communities where children can express their creativity, solve problems collaboratively, and build the confidence that comes with mastering new skills. The Early Years Programs are not just about preparing for the next academic step, they are about instilling a sense of wonder, a passion for inquiry, and a deep respect for the world around us.
Toddler classrooms are supported with 3 educators and 15 students. This program starts for students as young as 18 months.
Pre-k classrooms are supported with 2 educators and 16 students. This program is for students 2.5 to 4 years old.
Classroom sizes have a maximum 15 children for Toddler and 16 for Pre-k with set classrooms from Sept-June.
We prioritize small class sizes and consistent classroom groups to create a learning environment where children can thrive. Our programs are intended to nurture the needs and interests of the individual students in each classroom.
Students and teachers are in the same classroom for 10-12 months, without the disruption of children transitioning in and out of the classroom.
Our class size promotes a close-knit, engaging, and supportive environment for children's growth and development. Small class sizes cultivate a deep connection between teachers and students developing a strong sense of belonging, security, and trust.
Pre-kindergarten classes are capped at 16 students, while Toddler classes have a maximum of 15 students.
Our Early Years Programs are enriched with many opportunities for students to learn and grow beyond the classrooms.
Including:
We know that families are a cornerstone to student learning. The parent community at VMA is engaged, involved, and informed with their child’s learning and we know that aids in our student success.
Our program offers regular connections through:
When we watch children carefully and sensitively, we can observe the richness in their play and interaction. Through thoughtful observation and assessment, we can become aware of what children know, and what they are interested in to build programs and learning that are closely linked in their abilities, needs, and interests on a daily basis.
Our educators build weekly planning for students using:
Our hours of operation are 7:30am-6:00pm.
Vincent Massey Academy has two campuses.
Daisy Campus:
Franklin Horner Campus:
There is no difference between our two campuses, except for the ages of programming offerings.
VMA only provides full-time programs.
No, VMA's enrollment months are July, August, and September each year; however, mid-year withdrawals may create additional openings.
Eight weeks written notice is required if you wish to withdraw your child from our Early Years Program. Our Day School Program requires a 10-month commitment.
VMA is licensed by the Ministry of Education under the Child Care and Early Years Act. We are inspected annually by the Ministry of Education and Toronto Children's Services.
We are also subject to inspections by the Toronto Public Health Department and the Fire Department to ensure that our facilities meet all city standards. Our playground is also inspected annually. All inspection reports are posted in the main hallway of the school.
Toddler: 1 teacher to 5 toddlers
Preschool: 1 teacher to 8 preschoolers
Each classroom follows their own daily schedule, which is posted outside of the room as they change seasonally. Consistent, predictable routines help young children understand their environment and feel secure. A regular routine enables children to reduce anxiety by knowing what is coming next. A well-planned routine will also help encourage a child’s positive behaviour by meeting their basic needs for eating, sleeping, active, and quiet play, time alone, and time with other children.
Our daily schedule is carefully designed to promote children's learning and development through a balance of child-led and teacher-planned educational, stimulating, and exciting activities.
Toddler and Pre-kindergarten students are encouraged to rest for at least one hour. Quiet activities are programmed for children who are unable to rest. Naptime is approximately two hours in length.
Yes, VMA is catered by Real Food for Real Kids. RFRK is a leading children’s caterer, who provides high-quality meals and snacks for children attending child care and schools. A hot, nutritious lunch is provided as well as two well-balanced snacks every day and is included in the cost of tuition.
We are a nut, pork, and shellfish-free facility. Alternative food choices are available to those children with other food allergies and/or restrictions. Our menus are reviewed annually through a registered dietitian based on the Canada Food Guide and the provincial Child Care and Early Years Act.
For our Early Years Programs, VMA does not allow outside food to be brought into the school. Exposure to certain foods is a life-threatening issue for some of our students.
2% milk is provided at lunchtime and water is available throughout the day. You are welcome to bring alternative beverage options for your child.
VMA often has students enrolled in an E.C.E or O.C.T program at various universities or colleges, visit our school to complete their co-op placements. Their role is to observe the teachers and program in action and provide activities as required as part of their course.
All health certificates, first aid training and criminal reference checks will be collected from the student before they start their placement at our school. Student placements are typically one semester long. The co-op student’s supervising teachers from the college will also visit the classroom to observe the student in action and provide feedback to them regarding their performance.
Our toddler and preschool students take their nap/rest periods on a cot.
Each child has their own designated crib or cot. VMA supplies cot sheets that are washed weekly or more often if required.
There is no additional cost for food. However, parents are required to supply all toileting supplies (diapers, wipes, creams) for their child in our toddler program.
Yes. All fees must be paid regardless of sick days, extra vacation days, and statutory holidays.
Fees will be withdrawn by direct withdrawal on the first business day of each month.
VMA charges a $1,000.00 registration fee for new students. The first month fees are required at the time of registration to secure your child’s placement.
