Our Early Learning Program
Children's ways of thinking involve the imagination, emotion, and community, and should play the entire symbolic range. Learning should be an adventure
Our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are our youngest cohort of IB learners, taking their first steps in the Meadowridge IB Continuum of Learning.
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a transdisciplinary program designed to foster the development of the whole child, and our early learners do so while in a nurturing, stimulating, and developmentally-appropriate environment.
Students learn about significant concepts (or, big ideas) through units of inquiry; and, while exploring the unit’s central idea, students learn specific elements from the core subjects – language arts, science, social studies, mathematics, french, physical education, art, and music – and form their own connections between what they are learning and how it relates to the world around them; in essence, students don’t just learn, they learn how to learn.
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children play is serious learning.
Play is really the work of childhood.”
Fred Rogers
Students in the Early Learning Program thrive in a curricular framework that is challenging, while also being provided a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow.
Our early learners develop independence, responsibility, self-confidence, creativity, and initiative.
At Meadowridge, we build on what students have already learned and challenge each student to reach their full potential by focusing on specific areas of development:
- Physical
- Intellectual
- Artistic and Aesthetic
- Emotional and Social
- Social Responsibility
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- Play-Based Learning
- Early Learning Centre
- 27 Acres to Learn & Play
- A Community of Care
- Specialty Classes
- A Continuum of Learning
- Fresh & Nutritious Lunch
Play-Based Learning
The Early Learning Program comes to life through play-based learning: it influences pedagogy, educational practices, and the student experience.
Play is a child’s work and it’s an important part of daily life. It is one of the most important ways children inquire into the world around them. Through play, our early learners develop socialization, problem-solving, language, and creativity skills. Structured and guided play allows for children to build the early foundations in literacy, numeracy, and scientific thinking. As children try out new experiences, they master fine and gross motor skills, too!
Early Learning Centre
Our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms are in the newly-built Early Learning Centre, which has been designed and outfitted to meet the specific needs of our youngest learners.
With attention to materials, light, softness, and functionality, the Early Learning Centre is an inviting, flexible, and student-centred space for learning.
27 Acres to Learn & Play
Meadowridge offers a learning space unlike anywhere else. Our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students have 27 acres designed for experiential learning, practical exploration, physical activity, and mental wellness, including:
- Speciality playgrounds
- Gardens and greenhouses
- North Forest
- Two gymnasiums, including a climbing wall and movement centre
- Cafeteria
- Library with over 42,000 resources
- Theatre
A Community of Care
Our Early Learning Program has the benefit of small class sizes, while offering the community of the greater school populace: our students live, learn, and play with students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. They take part in special assemblies, spirit days, and are grouped together with buddies in the upper grades.
Specialty Classes
A Continuum of Learning
Fresh & Nutritious Lunch
Our daily lunch program is provided by SAGE Dining, our in-house cafeteria provider.
The daily lunch program includes a soup, a hot entrée or sandwich, a dessert, and a beverage.
Our chefs at SAGE cook everything from scratch, and the menu is as creative as it is fresh and healthy! The menu is highly-planned, taking into consideration such things as common allergies, cultural backgrounds, and other dietary needs.
Hot lunch is included for Junior Kindergarten and available at an additional cost in Kindergarten to Grade 3.
