Frequently Asked Questions

We open at 7:00AM and close at 5.30PM. We do not offer early drop off or late pick up.

With the size of the facility and the number of children and families currently enrolled, we do not offer tours.
Once we have a space available for your child, we reach out by phone and talk through our process with you. We provide opportunities for all questions to be asked and answered by phone and/or email.
Once you have enrolled at Nurturing Hearts, you will be invited for an evening orientation along with the other families joining in the same month as you.
This is an opportunity to view the entire facility and ask any lingering questions that have not yet been answered here, on the website or by phone.

We invite both parents to attend the orientation of the facility but ask that children remain home.

Yes. For all children in our Infant, Toddler and Casa programs it is. The purpose of this slow entry is to build healthy, strong, secure attachment between your child and his/her new teachers. The intent is to leave each visit feeling positive. The length of the gradual entry depends on the age of your child and typically ranges from 4-8 visits.

Yes, families are welcome inside. Hand sanitization is available upon entry. Children are dropped off at classroom doors and greeted by teachers. At the end of the day, families are again greeted at the classroom door and a teacher dismisses your child. Family members do not enter classrooms.

In the beginning, communication is done through email with our Master of Administration. Any communication with the office is also done this way. Once care begins, communication between parents and teachers is mostly done using the BrightWheel App. This tool is used for daily feedback about toileting, sleeping and eating. 3-5 pictures sent weekly showing your child engaged in activities and with friends. In person conversations at pick up and drop off are also practiced; while being considerate of the children continuing to be cared for inside the classroom! If deeper conversation is needed, classroom teachers are open to phone calls during the day or at a pre-arranged time.

The food program is mandatory for all children in the Infant, Toddler and Casa programs. Dietary needs are considered by the chef. A variety of foods are offered all meeting the Food Guide guidelines.

Yes absolutely. The food program offers 3.25% milk for children. Breastmilk and formula are supplied by families.

Naptime is built into each Infant, Toddler and Casa program. We are guided by Fraser Health and support a period of rest for children who attend full day programs. We are mindful of the recommended average hours of sleep for children by age and follow this guideline as we encourage healthy sleep habits. As children grow, we offer a period of rest- generally 40 minutes. After that period of time children are invited to independent, quiet activities while the remaining children sleep.

Yes, during your orientation you will be provided with a Registration Package in which the daily routines for your particular program will be included. Each includes 2 outdoor play times, circle, work cycle, free play, snacks, lunch, nap and art activities daily.

In the Infant and Toddler programs the ratio is 1:4 and the maximum group size is 12 children. In the 3-5 full day Casa program the ratio is 1:8 and we have classes with both 16 total children (Casa 4 & 5 and 25 total children (Casa 1 & 3).
In the Preschool there are 1:10 with 10 children maximum.
In School Age care we have 1:12 if Kindy or grade 1 students are present with a maximum of 24 children and 1:15 if the children are grade 2 and older only with a maximum of 30 children.

Nurturing Hearts is proud to be a culturally and gender diverse facility.

This will also be included in your registration package but includes details round reasons to keep your child at home and the length of time he/she must be fully well before returning.

Nurturing Hearts Montessori is closed for all Statutory Holidays (plus Easter Monday and Truth and Reconciliation Day) . The facility closes for Winter Break – typically the week between Christmas and New Years (for a period of 5-7 days). And there will be 2 closure dates for Staff Professional Development (February and August) More information regarding exact dates will be included in your registration package.

There are no make-up days for illness, absence or holidays.

No, we do not. We offer care options from 2-5 days per week but according to a set schedule. We also do not offer part day care.

Yes, we do. This is done by pre-registration the month of the school closure. An additional fee of $20 applies, paid at the time of sign-up.

The 1-hour early dismissals are included in your cost of care and regular pick up is done by staff.

Care is only offered as a whole; even if one or the other will not be used.

If space allows drop-in days are available for currently enrolled Nurturing Hearts children only. An additional fee does apply.

Yes, we offer a summer camp program for children who are 5 – 12 years old. The structure for our summer care is on our Website. Children must have entered Kindergarten to be eligible for this care. We do not have summer programs for children under 5 years old.