Nanaimo Innovation Academy
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A unique educational program to inspire life-long learning.
PROGRAM DETAILS
At Nanaimo Innovation Academy, we utilize the best practices from various educational pedagogies-- Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio, Whole Child Education, Forest School Theory, and Play-based Learning-- without being limited by the rigidity of ascribing to just one philosophy. By being flexible and in constant evaluation of what is best for child development and learning, we innovate and create a program designed for our student’s current needs, interests, and growth.
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Some key aspects of our program:
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Gentle guidance
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Small, intimate learning environment
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Teachers are co-learners
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Following the interests of the children
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Social and emotional learning is more important that academic
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Respect for nature and environmentally sustainable practices
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Use of natural materials and mindful class setting
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Loose parts play (with no set way on how a toy should be played with)
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Lots of outdoor time
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Creative play and free play encouraged
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Many varieties of ways to explore with arts and materials
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Respectful and mindful expressions
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Learning self-regulation tools, self- expression, and how to identify feelings
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Problem solving, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills
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Exploring our community
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Valuing differences and diversity
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Please read more about:
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Daily schedule with room for flexibility.
At Nanaimo Innovation Academy, we recognize one size does not necessarily fit all. We have a general schedule for how the day should go but value a lot of flexibility to follow natural curiosity and progression of exploration, as directed by the children. The children need a relaxed pace with ample time to explore.
We aim to help children make connections between various topics and activities that they are interested in, without having a pre-programmed curriculum or prescribed schedule to follow. This also means that teachers are not planning elaborate projects or learning points in advance – they’re allowing projects to emerge based on the interests of the children while still meeting learning outcomes and goals. Teachers will introduce new topics or ideas to a group, typically based on natural seasonal activities and changes. These new ideas will be explored further if the children show an interest.
Basic Program Information
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OAK INFANT & TODDLER PROGRAM
905 Hecate Street Building – lower floor
In this class, there are 8 children age 16 months -3 years to two-three ECE Teachers each day.
Exceptions may be made for younger children on a case-by-case basis.
At least one of the teachers in the program each day will have their Infant/Toddler designation.
All full-time spaces from 8:00am-5:00pm.
Drop off is between 8am-9am. Pick up is typically between 3pm-5pm. Most children nap once a day (between 12:30-3:00) in our designated nap room. All children nap on low cots
The day is spent on-site in their program’s classroom and outdoor space.
There is a large outdoor play space with sand box, mud kitchen, ride on toys, and climber with slide.
The class sometimes goes on neighbourhood walks.
CEDAR INFANT & TODDLER PROGRAM
929 Hecate Street Building – south classroom
In this class, there are 8 children age 16 months -3 years to two-three ECE Teachers each day.
Exceptions may be made for younger children on a case-by-case basis.
At least one of the teachers in the program each day will have their Infant/Toddler designation.
All full-time spaces
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4 spaces from 8:00am-3:00pm
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4 spaces from 8:00am-5:00pm
After 3pm the remaining children and staff join the other IT Program in the Oak IT indoor and/or outdoor yard space.
Drop off is between 8am-9am. Pick up is typically between 3pm-5pm. Most children nap once a day (between 12:30-3:00) in our designated nap room. All children nap on low cots
The day is spent on-site in their program’s classroom and outdoor space. There is a roll up garage door for indoor/outdoor play. Outside there is a sand box, ride on toys, and playhouse.
The class sometimes goes on neighbourhood walks.
OAK PRE-K PROGRAM
905 Hecate Street Building – upper floor
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In this class, there are 16 children age 30 months-5 years old to three ECE Teacher each day.
Independent toileting not required (see our sheet on Toilet Learning).
​Mostly full-time spaces from 8:00am-5:00pm (two part-time spaces of 3 days)
Drop off is between 8am-9am. Pick up is typically between 3pm-5pm.
Napping is optional. We divide the group into nappers and non-nappers. Quiet time is from 1:00pm-2:30pm in a dimmed area in the classroom (while the other non-napping children play outside).
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There is a large yard for outdoor play and a covered outdoor play space. Most of the day is spent on-site in their program’s classroom and outdoor space at the daycare. In the warmer months, the class stay outside the full day.
The class sometimes goes on neighbourhood walks
CEDAR PRE-K PROGRAM
929 Hecate Street Building – north classroom
In this class, there are 6-8 children age 30 months-5 years old to one ECE Teacher each day. Managers are available to support the teacher at all times throughout the day. Children must be independent in toileting but may need support when wiping
​All full-time spaces
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2 spaces from 8:00am-3:00pm
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6 spaces from 8:00am-5:00pm
After 3pm the remaining children and staff join the other Pre-K Program in the Oak Pre-K outdoor yard space.
Drop off is between 8am-9am. Pick up is typically between 3pm-5pm.
Napping is optional but most will likely not nap in this program. We do not have a separate nap room.
Most of the day is spent on-site in their program’s classroom and outdoor space at the daycare.
The class sometimes goes on neighbourhood walks
FOREST PRE-K PROGRAM - CLICK HERE FOR INFO ABOUT THE FOREST PROGRAMS
905 Hecate Street Building – west classroom
In this class, there are 12 children age 4-5 years old to two ECE Teachers each day. Children must be 4 years old at time of starting. Children must be independent in toileting but may need support when wiping.
All full-time spaces from 8:00am-5:00pm
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Drop off is between 8am-9am. Pick up is typically between 3pm-5pm.
Each day we take the bus to a local forest, lake, or beach location. Children must weigh over 40lbs to be able to sit in a booster seat (have limited number of car seats for children on the small side).
Sometimes we go on walking excursions in out community (library) or to parks. We are back in time for lunch.
All children in this program are expected to be able to follow the safety regulations as outlined in the Forest Programs Handbook.
Napping does not usually happen in this program.
FOREST EXPLORERS - CLICK HERE FOR INFO ABOUT THE FOREST PROGRAMS
This is a licensed afterschool program that picks up children in a bus each day at 2:35pm from Pauline Haarer School. Homeschoolers are welcome to join the program by meeting the bus at 2:00pm or at the regular pick up at Pauline Haarer Elementary school at 2:25pm.
In this class, there are up to 13 children age kindergarten to Grade four to two ECE/ECEA Teachers each day. All teachers have first aid certification.
There are some part-time spaces, but priority given to full time spaces.
The class will take the bus to a local forest, lake, or beach location. Children must weigh over 40lbs before starting the program to sit in a booster seat on the bus (have limited number of car seats for children on the small side). Some days we go on walking excursions in out community (library) or to parks. They will be back at the daycare for 4:45pm for pick ups. On extra hard weather days, the group will return back to the daycare earlier and utilize our indoor library space. Children must be picked up before 5:30pm.
All children in this program are expected to be able to follow the safety regulations as outlined in the Forest Programs Handbook.
Must be independent in toileting and does not need support when wiping