EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE CENTRE
Infant
Niwasa sees all children as sacred gifts from the creator. Our infant program is designed for children between the ages of 0 months-18 months. Our learning environment reflects our cultural curriculum and highlights the seasons and medicines of the land. Educators engage with infants and provide loving, nurturing and responsive care for a maximum of 10 infants. Pedagogical documentation is displayed around the room so that parents and caregivers get a sense of their child’s interests, learning, and growth.
Toddler
Our toddler program is designed to honour each toddler’s energy, enthusiasm and natural desire to explore their surroundings. Our learning environment is supportive of each child’s sense of wonder and curiosity and aligns with our cultural curriculum and the natural rhythm of the seasons. Our Registered Early Childhood Educators create an environment that allows toddlers to engage in experiential learning and express the unique and distinct personalities that each of them carries. Cultural facilitators share Indigenous language, cultural teachings, and traditional songs with the children to celebrate their culture and to build a strong identity and a sense of belonging. Our toddler room is licensed for 15 children between the ages of 18 months and 2.5 years.
Preschool
Our Registered Early Childhood Educators create a rich preschool learning environments that foster the social, physical, emotional, spiritual and cognitive development of each child. Children are encouraged to explore, to challenge, to theorize, to question and to engage with the natural world. Our Indigenous pedagogy sets the foundation for children to explore their world, their culture, their community and to develop a sense of belonging within the circle of creation. Our seasonal teachings and cultural curriculum support traditional knowledge acquisition. Indigenous languages, drumming, dancing, and storytelling are embedded into every aspect of the program and support the formation of a strong cultural identity and sense of belonging. Educators develop program plans collaboratively with the children and use observations and pedagogical documentation to inform possibilities for further exploration and extensions of children’s interests. Children spend a great deal of time outdoors, engaging in land-based learning environments that encourage the formation of meaningful connections with Mother Earth and with all elements of creation.
- Nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks
- Land-based Literacy Program
- The large outdoor learning environment
- Fee-paying and subsidized child care spaces are available
- Full/Part-time care available
- Licensed by the Ministry of Education
Hours: 7:30am-5:30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
Location: 24 Smith Avenue Hamilton ON L8L 5P1
Phone: (905) 549 4884