Quality Home Childcare in Barrie Since 2007
Half Pints Daycare Academy
Welcome to Half Pints!
Please Note... SUBSIDY is NOT available as I am private home daycare and do not qualify​
My location is on bottom of the page if you scroll down
Please check out the pages on this website for questions you may have as I have covered a lot of them but feel free to reach out for anything I might have missed
Our Learning Space
Home based Daycare and Preschool located in Barrie's South East side with large upper level space for the children to enjoy. Fully separate and childproof with large play yard for outdoor play. I provide care in a loving family style environment with a preschool atmosphere. My daycare offers a school like atmosphere as a centre would but with smaller ratio of children to foster your child's learning and ensure their safety.
I offer for all ages lots of educational and fun activities for school readiness, variety of age appropriate toys, imagination and language skill activities, encourage logical thinking, opportunities for fine and gross motor development, encourage team work and sharing
I believe that children learn best through daily learning and exploring. Free play is also very important especially for very young children as they learn best by observing their surroundings. Music and creativity are a very healthy part of children's development.
I have setup my space to resemble a kindergarten classroom and along with our daily routine it combines to help the children feel more confident when they begin their school journey.
MY PHILOSOPHY
* To create life long learners
* To create open minds
* To develop each child as an individual
* Teach children how to play and work in a respectful way
* Encourage children to open their hearts and minds to those who might be different
* Encourage children to share their own ideas and respect other points of view
- INFANTS & TODDLERS aged two weeks to two years old receive consistent, positive attention in a cozy, loving home environment where they will grow and thrive.
- PRESCHOOLERS aged two to five years are encouraged to discover new things, develop social/emotional skills,and become more independent in a safe, supportive setting.
Studies show that children who attend a high quality childcare program are better prepared to enter school, more likely to complete high school, attend college, and become successful adults.
CHILDREN LEARN BEST...
When they are treated as individuals with interests and needs, when respect to others is emphasized, when there are well defined rules for everyone to follow, when their space is clean, safe and friendly, when there is Love, Support, Attention and some Structure.
I offer a stimulating, semi structured play-based curriculum that encourages each child to be the best learner they can be. Your child will participate in activities such as:
* Circle-time
* Arts and crafts
* Singing, dancing and musical instruments
* Free play
* Pretend play
* Sensory activities
* Outdoor play
* Worksheets once they are able to complete them
As a parent, you will enjoy the following:
* Peace of mind
* An open-door policy
* Open communication
* First Aid/CPR certified provider, up to date
* Yearly Receipts
* Compassionate, experienced daycare provider dedicated to you, and your little one
- A provider with knowledge of child development, years of experience caring for children of all ages, and a love of children.
- Enrollment for children aged two weeks to 10 years, so siblings can stay together
- Small group size that fosters strong friendships, develops social skills through peer relationships, and allows each child to enjoy lots of individual attention.
- A safe, child-centered home learning environment that promotes independence and child-led learning
- Developmentally-appropriate toys and materials that are rotated to meet the children's interests and needs
- A planned daily routine that children thrive on: flexible, yet predictable, with a healthy balance of structured and unstructured time.
- Mixed age grouping where children experience different roles in a family, build self-help skills, and learn how to get along with others.
- Gentle yet firm child guidance procedures that promote positive self-esteem and teaches self control and socially acceptable ways of expressing needs and feelings.
- Large, fenced-in outdoor play yard with a variety of learning activities as well as plenty of room for children to run, play, and practice using their whole body.
Low Group Size Enhances Quality Child Care
I believe that the lower child-to-caregiver ratio in family child care provides a higher quality of care for the children. Each child's individual needs can be met more easily than in a large group center, and the small group size promotes close relationships and the feeling of being a family.
SPEECH & LANGUAGE KEY INDICATORS
BY 6 MONTHS OLD
* Turns eyes or head toward a sound
* Watches your face when you speak
* Smiles & laughs in response to your smiles & laughs
BY 9 MONTHS OLD
* Responds to his/her name
* Babbles (bababa, dadada)
* Plays social games with you (peek-a-boo)
BY 12 MONTHS OLD
*Follows simple 1 step directions (sit down)
* Points to things he/she wants
* Gets your attention using sounds & gestures while looking at your eyes
BY 18 MONTHS OLD
* Identifies several body parts when asked
* Says about 20 words consistently
* Pretends to feed a doll/teddy or pretends a bowl is a hat
BY 2 YEARS OLD
* Follows 2 step directions
* Uses at least 100 words including action words (fall/eat/go)
* Combines at least 2 words (daddy sleep)
BY 3 YEARS OLD
* Understands who, what, where & why questions
* Can create long sentences combining at least 5 words
* Speech is understood at least 75% of the time
BY 4 YEARS OLD
* Follows 3 part directions
* Uses sentences with adult-type grammar (he is going to the park now)
* Speech is understood by strangers most of the time
Where there are concerns, parents should contact the Simcoe County Preschool Speech and Language Program at 705-739-5696 or 1-800-675-1979