Programs
Small World has been offering programs for young children in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia since 1978. Today, we offer several different programs of early learning and care based on Reggio-inspired practice with a focus on forest and nature for children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years.
Reggio-inspired with a focus on forest, nature, and outdoor play.
We follow the Department of Education's Early Learning Curriculum Framework.
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Ages 18 months to 5 years.
Monday through Friday.
From 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Classrooms 1, 4, 5
Reggio-inspired with a focus on forest nature, and outdoor play.
We follow the Department of Education's Early Learning Curriculum Framework.
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Ages 3 to 5 years.
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
From 8 am to 2 pm.
Classroom 2
York Street - Grade Primary to Grade 6:
On-Site
Provides care after school (until 5:00 pm), before school (from 7:30 am), full days during March, Christmas, and Summer break. Classrooms 2 & 3.
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Off-site
BES BAP - Pre-Primary to Grade 6
An after-school program at Bridgewater Elementary School. Provides care after school and on embedded days. Outdoors, gym, pre-primary classroom.
After school until 5:00 pm. * This program does not offer any full-day programs.
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Our early learning and care programs offer access to clean, modern indoor spaces, forest and outdoor areas, adventures to local amenities such as the Centennial Trail, LCLC library, Brookside duck pond and St. Phillips Street playground, and special activities like campfires in our firepit.
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Each month, full-day families receive an individualized portfolio page (via the StoryPark App), a summary of photos and the details outlining the NS Curriculum learning goals and objectives
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Fees are partially subsidized by the Government.
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Our centre and all programs are closed when SSRCE closes public schools due to inclement weather along with other closures listed in our Parent Policies.
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We are a non-profit, registered charitable organization that has been in the community since 1978.
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Full Day Toddler Program - Reggio Inspired with focus on outdoor & nature @ SWLC York Street
AGE: 18 months to 3 years.
HOURS: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DAYS: Monday through Friday.
SCHEDULE: Year-round with exceptions of closures as listed in our Parent Policies.
We provide a safe, nurturing and educational environment for children to learn, play, and grow. Our experienced educators are trained to provide personalized care and attention to each child, helping them develop social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. This class has a 6:1 ratio of three Early Childhood Educators with (max) 17 toddlers. The toddlers have a large, bright indoor space for play, art, snacks, reading and nap-time, and a securely enclosed outdoor space with a large sandbox, riding toys, a pretend kitchen, and shaded spaces for sun-safe play. They also have access to a forest pod with naps in hammocks during the warmer months.
Full Day Preschool Program - Reggio Inspired with focus on forest & nature @ SWLC York Street
AGE: 3 to 5 years.
HOURS: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DAYS: Monday through Friday.
​SCHEDULE: Year-round with exceptions of closures as listed in our Parent Policies.
Our preschool class develops independence and social skills in a highly interactive environment. Our experienced educators are trained to facilitate the creative and interrelational development of each child. This class has an 8:1 ratio of children and educators. The preschool classes each have a large indoor space for play, art, snacks, reading, child-size washrooms and nap- or quiet-time, and a sun-safe wooded forest pods with age-appropriate toys and play equipment.
Full Day Part Week Preschool Program - Reggio Inspired with focus on forest & nature - T/W/T Program @ SWLC York Street
AGE: For children aged 3 to 5 years.
HOURS: 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
DAYS: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
SCHEDULE: Aligns the SSRCE school schedule (i.e. this program operates on school days, and is closed when the school is closed for holidays or Inservice days, and when the school closes early for Embedded/ CLT/ Early Dismissal days.)
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Come and join our educators for a Reggio-inspired, forest and nature-focused program. Most of our time is in our forest pod. We also have a large beautiful indoor classroom, grassy areas, playground equipment (swing, climber, clambering bars), and a fire pit to cook Bannock and other food. We use other areas of the forest and trails and may occasionally join the toddlers in our fenced-in natural backyard space. Snack and lunch are provided. A short rest/quiet time is spent in a hammock in our forest pod or in the classroom. Other outings may include being out in the community anywhere within walking distance.
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Our school-age programs operate in companionship with the SSRCE school schedule.
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Fees are partially subsidized by the Government.
School Age: Before School @ SWLC York Street
AGE: For children in Pre-Primary to Grade 6
HOURS: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
DAYS: Monday through Friday.
DETAILS: Drop off at SWLC 352 York Street. One of our educators walks the children to Bridgewater Elementary School.
School Age: After School & Full days @ SWLC York Street - Reggio Inspired with focus on outdoor, forest & nature
AGE: For children in Primary to Grade 6
HOURS: 2:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Full day hours: 7:30 to 5
DAYS: Monday through Friday. Full days during BES in-service, Christmas, March and Summer Breaks. Embedded and early dismissals included.
DETAILS: Educators meet children at Bridgewater Elementary School after school and walk back to Small World. Pick up at Small World. Full days drop off and pick up are @ York Street.
Offsite after-school program @ Bridgewater Elementary School - BES BAP-Pre-primary to grade 6
AGE: For children in Pre-Primary to Grade 6
HOURS: 2:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
DAYS: Monday through Friday - includes embedded days
DETAILS: Educators meet children at Bridgewater Elementary School after school and remain at BES outdoors, gym, pre-primary classroom or pick up at SWLC forest pods area on 352 York Street. Our educators inform families of offsite pick ups.
This program does not offer any full day care during in-service days or school breaks.
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BAP Before School is combined with our School Age: Before School @ SWLC York Street program, please see above.