Mary Kardash Child Care Inc.

At Mary Kardash Child Care, we have a wide variety of

"Unique" programs and activities for our children.

Mary Kardash Child Care Inc. is privileged to be located in Luxton School. Children have the opportunity to grow up from the age of 2 all the way to 12 years of age under one roof. Research is strong and supports the idea that children who develop in a consistent program and when the environment remains stable they are more likely to succeed as they move into their adolescent years.

Children with unique challenges are always welcome in our program. We enroll children based on first of all, what the needs of the child are, as well as the supports and resources available to both the child and his or her parents. The Luxton School building does not presently have a wheelchair ramp.

During the summer months, Mary Kardash Child Care Inc. has an enriched, enhanced program, most especially for the school age centre. At that time we involve children in many and various fieldtrip opportunities, such as swimming, bowling, fishing, and list goes on. One summer the school age program was involved in "Random Acts of Kindness" in which the children randomly selected someone/business in the community to reach out to in kindness and not expect anything in return. The only act that was expected was that the recipient pass a kind deed on to someone else. This was a wonderful way for the older children to become familiar with our neighbours. School age children also participate in various sporting/team events.

Visitors are always welcome to our centre, and we have had various people come in to tell stories to the children, build kites, teach dance lessons, assist with a drama production etc.

Big and Little Buddies Program

During the school year, children in the pre-school centre participate on a weekly bases with the grade 5/6 classroom. We call this our "Big and Little Buddies program". Each pre-school child is assigned to grade 5/6 students and they spend about 1 hour together. Together they assist in outdoor play, fieldtrips, cooking, story time, art activities etc. The children develop an exclusive relationship with their "BUDDY" This is a wonderful way for children to become familiar with Luxton School, as eventually they will likely be enrolled in the school.

Lunch Program

Recently (2002) the centre has renovated to provide for a full functioning kitchen. This means that children receive a full hot lunch program for a minimal cost of $1.00/day.

The lunch program is based on the Canada Food Guide and the menus were created to be respectful of the cultural diversities, which exist in our centre.

We know the importance of nutrition in children's lives, and with that in mind we also provide a snack in the morning which is really considered a breakfast. We are then certain that children have the opportunity to start their day off with a full stomach.

Snacks in the afternoon consist of 3 of the 4 food groups, and are also of nutritional content.

Music

MUSIKTANZ is an internationally recognized early childhood music and movement program based on the Musikgarten series. Musiktanz is designed to encourage children to explore the world of music through developmentally appropriate activities.

Musiktanz's objectives are to nurture the total musical development of the child.

Weekly, an instructor comes to the centre to teach and promote musical sessions with the children.

Our pre-school program includes bouncing songs, finger plays, body awareness activities, stationary and creative movement, exercises, singing games and rhythmic age appropriate instruments.

The school age program participates in singing, movement and dance activities such as "hip hop".

Children, who do not feel comfortable to begin with, find that they are fully pariticipating after a few sessions have gone by.