We treat each child as a unique individual. Our program emphasizes human relationships and individuality, which forms a basis for your child's creative, physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth.
We provide care for children from three months of age through six years in infant, toddler, preschool and kindergarten programs. Each child at Hester How has his or her own support teacher in every program. Although the staff share responsibilities within a program, your child's support teacher will know your child best and be able to plan and guide your child's progression to new levels.
Hester How's system and procedures are well designed and maintained, and ensure a reporting system to parents which is regular, thorough and detailed. Your child's teacher will provide you with a written profile of your child's progress and development while he or she is in each program. In addition, if you wish to discuss any concerns, teachers are available at any time for a private meeting.
Young children learn best through play, and Hester How offers a rich variety of activities and play experiences. Indoors, our individual program rooms provide your child with age-appropriate activities and intellectual stimulation. Outdoors, children romp in our two playgrounds. We also use the community in an extension of our facilities. Walk through Toronto's underground city, excursions to Toronto Island, local parks and special children's activities on Nathan Phillips Square are all part of your child's day at Hester How.
Enrollment Policies & Priorities
The over-riding objective of the daycare, as a non-profit centre, is to maintain full enrolment in order to meet the economic needs of the daycare centre and its ongoing financial viability.
The following determines priority for enrolment at Hester How Daycare Centre when a space is available:
- A child currently enrolled who is developmentally ready to assume a space in the next developmental group, specifically when the move is from infants to toddlers, from toddlers to preschool, from preschool to kindergarten.
- A child on the Sibling Priority Waiting List (i.e. the sibling of a child currently enrolled, a child who is returning to care, the sibling of a previously enrolled child).
- A child on the City Waiting List (staff and parents, permanent or continuing temporary employment with the City of Toronto or Hester How Daycare).
- A child on the Community Waiting List.
On any of the above mentioned waiting lists consideration is given to:
- the date of application
- the date for which care is required
- the age of the child(ren)
Click below for detailed information on each program
3 months to 18 months / 12 children and 4 teachers
Our youngest children learn to explore their world in a secure, trusting environment. In each of two large rooms, your baby will receive individual support, with plenty of hugs and cuddles as he or she experiences a variety of sensory-based activities within a structured routine of snacks, lunch and sleep time.
Senior infants, usually children who are older than 15 months, spend part of their day with their support teacher and the toddlers. Our practice of gradually introducing children to the next program group allows for a seamless transition for your child from one program to the next, while stimulating his or her natural curiosity for new experiences.
18 months to 2 1/2 years / 2 groups, with 10 children and 2 teachers in each
Social interaction, co-operative play experiences and the development of language within a safe, supportive environment fosters your toddler child's individual development.
Special extended learning experiences, such as visits to the library, cooking activities (for a special snack or no-cook recipe), special visitors and summer-time outings offer your child diverse activities which support weekly learning modules appropriate to their developmental needs.
Senior toddlers, usually children who have reached their second birthday, spend part of their day with their support teacher and the youngest preschool group. As with senior infants, the transitional groups slowly and gradually integrate children into their next level on a daily basis.
2 1/2 years to 6 years / 34 children and 4 teachers
We know that children who are provided with a carefully planned process of early childhood education gain significantly in competence, coping skills, socialization, and a positive attitude towards learning. At Hester How, our preschool/kindergarten children are provided with a rich opportunity to gain the necessary skills to discover a love of learning and to achieve daily growth.
Our preschool/kindergarten programs are designed to meet all of your child's development needs as he or she becomes more independent. A low teacher/child ratio of one teacher for eight children in preschool, and one teacher for ten children in kindergarten, means that your child's teacher is in an excellent position to offer individual care and support.
As in the infant and toddler programs, our staff continues to provide you with a written development profile or your child, as well as one to one conferencing to discuss your child's progress in detail. Together, you and your child's teacher make plans for his or her development.
Click here for Kindergarten Program details
