Curriculum and Philosophy

Philosophy

It is our belief that children develop skills to thrive, grow and learn when their days are filled with many play opportunities and peer interactions. While we consider ourselves a play-based program; our philosophies, learning materials and provocations, curriculum, teacher-child relationships, teacher observations, and classroom environments also align with cognitive-based programs. A cognitive-based program has classrooms planned to encourage exploration and problem solving, curiosity, socialization and negotiation all in a warm, respectful environment. There are a number of prominent early childhood experts whom have influenced our philosophy and whose educational values we hold onto strongly. They are: Bev Bos, Howard Gardner, Loris Malaguzzi, and Nellie Edge.

“Education begins the moment we see children as innately wise and capable beings. Only then can we play along in their world.”

~ Vince Gowan

Curriculum

A strong curriculum is rooted in philosophy and inspired by the interests and needs of the children. When developing our curriculum, we first get to know the children, building strong relationships with each child. As Regie Routman, so eloquently put it, “unless we reach into our children’s hearts we have no entry into their minds.” We spend time observing, playing and talking with the children. We devote much of our time at the beginning of the year getting to know the children, setting routines, learning transitions and creating community.

Our curriculum involves The Whole Child.

We believe that every child is a capable being. Bev Bos believes, as we do, children learn best when they experience and participate. Young children are not meant to be passive learners. As children involve more senses in their experiences, their brain activity increases, thus making their understanding more complete. Our curricular activities and provocations are hands on, open experiences in which children can be the designers of their play with learning support from teachers. The teachers offer support by observing and then questioning, providing additional materials, challenges and extensions. For example: children playing with balls and ramps noticed some balls were faster and went further. The teacher wondered to them if a scale might be a helpful tool. They eagerly retrieved the balance scale and made some quick observations about weight and the speed and distance of the balls.

Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is supported by recent brain/mind research. It tells us there is a need to match children’s intelligence and the way they learn with teaching strategies and play opportunities designed to maximize the full development of each individual child.

Our Curriculum Utilizes Mixed-age Classrooms

At Kidspace, we have leaned into the concept and value of mixed-age classrooms. Our mixed-age preschool classrooms are educational environments where children of different ages, typically spanning a few years, learn and play together under the guidance of our trained educators. Unlike traditional single-age classrooms, our mixed-age preschool brings together children from various developmental stages, fostering a dynamic and enriching learning environment.

In our classrooms, older children often serve as role models and mentors to their younger peers, promoting empathy, cooperation, and social skills development. Our younger students benefit from observing and interacting with older ones, while our older students reinforce their knowledge by teaching and assisting younger classmates.

Mixed-age preschool classrooms emphasize individualized learning experiences tailored to each child’s unique pace, interests, and abilities. This approach allows children to progress at their own speed, building confidence and self-esteem along the way.

Moreover, mixed-age settings promote a sense of community and belonging, where children learn to appreciate and respect differences in age, background, and abilities. Our inclusive atmosphere nurtures collaboration, empathy, and a positive attitude towards diversity.

Overall, Kidspace’s mixed-age preschool classrooms offer a holistic approach to early childhood education, promoting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in a supportive and inclusive environment where benefits abound for our students and teachers alike.

Our curriculum uses the Classroom Environment as the Third Teacher.

The schools of Reggio Emilia (founded by Loris Malaguzzi) and Bev Bos believe that carefully constructed environments support the communities they serve. There is a beauty and a purpose in the design and organization of all the spaces in our school, the equipment, and materials within it. The environment is rich in potential and is valued and cared for by children and adults. Our intentionally-designed classrooms and centers provide children the ultimate opportunity to play and learn all day while growing and interacting with the world around them.

Engaging in Physical Activities is part of our daily curriculum.

It is a proven fact that movement positively stimulates brain growth and development. “Exercise is beneficial to both body and mind,” says Lise Eliot, Ph.D. and author of What’s Going on in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life. “Exercise has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, improving cognition.” Besides increasing brain power, exercise strengthens muscles and bones, increases coordination, boosts self-confidence and begins a life-long routine of healthy habits. We offer three different environments for gross-motor play:

Our indoor gym offers safe big-body play, developing balance, coordination, spatial awareness, and strength.
Our outdoor play yard features a bike path, mud kitchen, large sand pit, climbing stumps and more. Gross and fine motor work, and imaginative play are just a few learning areas supported by this environment.
The side patio is utilized for outdoor fine motor work, messy sensory play and gardening.

Language, literacy and Music are key components of our curriculum.

Nellie Edge’s work celebrates language. She stresses the importance of music and prose to introduce and integrate language and literacy (the foundation of reading and writing) into all facets of the classroom. Our literacy-rich curriculum is influenced (like the ABC Phonics and Sign Language Song) from the teachings of Nellie Edge along with fun, frolicking music, rhymes and poetry, and the beautiful pieces of literacy written and illustrated for children.

Check out our page on Literacy and how KIDSPACE approaches teaching children the joy of reading.

Building Community is essential to our curriculum.

Investing time in building community within the classroom honors all the children. They feel safe, connected and valued. Children learn respect for one another when they see themselves and their classmates as part of the community.
Through large and small group activities and free play, children practice social, emotional and executive function skills. With teacher support and encouragement, children develop confidence in being a part of a learning community. Social and cognitive skills such as knowing how to enter into a group of children already playing, navigating the steps of solving a problem with a peer, working together through the triumphs and failures for a common goal, taking risks and patiently waiting for a turn are life-long skills which can’t be taught except through experience. We value our community of joyful learners. The benefits last forever!

Daily Rhythms

The entire center has a daily rhythm as does each class. Enrichment programs also give their weeks and specific days a rhythm of their own. The specifics of the weekly/daily rhythms will be shared with families at the beginning of each school year. Below is a glimpse of the flow of the center and general activities. Please note: math, literacy, science, cognitive, fine and large motor skills are integrated into activities throughout the day.

Classroom centers open.

Morning classroom routines include the following: outside play, small group experiences, gym play, large group gathering, classroom centers

Lunch, quiet rest time, outside play, small groups

Good-byes, outside play, classroom centers open, gym play

Small Groups

Every class, every day, has at least one time where the children participate in a teacher-led or child inspired activity together in a small group. Giving young children opportunities to work/play in small groups is beneficial due to their still developing social and cognitive skills. In small groups children are more likely to contribute to discussions and participate longer during hands on activities. When children work in small groups, teachers are able to interact, observe and focus on a few children at a time. The information the teachers gather about the learning and skill development of each child gives the teacher better insight on how to meet the learning needs of each child.

Our philosophy, learning environment, and curriculum are influenced by the works of three prominent individuals in the field of early childhood education. They are Loris Malaguzzi (who founded the schools in the northern city of Italy named Reggio Emilia), Bev Bos, and Nellie Edge.

Learn About Us

What families say about our program.

Loving, Caring, and Attentive to Each Child’s Needs

We love Kidspace so much! The teachers are so caring and dedicated to helping the kids learn and grow. They are so thoughtful about coming up with activities that would interest and challenge each student. The teachers are also very dedicated to helping kids work on their social and emotional skills. They really meet the kids where they are at, instead of trying to make the kids fit into their classroom. It is very clear that they are experienced educators, and not just babysitters trying to get through the day. We had a tough experience at another preschool in Vancouver, so it was such a relief to finally feel at home at Kidspace!

Truly, every single teacher and staff member is lovely and caring. Everyone knows all of our names, even teachers from other classes. And they are very careful and thoughtful about our kid’s allergies. It’s a relief to send him to school feeling like he is in safe hands.

We also love the play-based curriculum — our kid comes home every day with a new project or story about a fun classroom activity. He is excited to go to school and see all his friends and teachers. What a joy! I am so glad we found Kidspace.

Beth Ford

Happy, Engaged, Supported Independent Play

My husband and I found Kidspace while searching for an alternative to the daycare our 3 year old daughter was previously enrolled in. We toured several different locations, but the moment we found Kidspace we stopped our search. As we toured the classes, we saw happy, engaged, supported independent play. It was like night and day from our previous childcare experiences.

We have been there for a year now, and it is not just our favorite childcare facility in Vancouver, it is one of our favorite places in Vancouver, period. Our daughter comes home excited about what she learned and what she explored every day. Her teachers, Miss Shasta and Miss Tracy are kind, attentive, and endlessly positive. The director of the school, Miss Kathy is one of the most thoughtful, reflective, and compassionate people I know. She runs a truly special program.

When my husband and I talk about our experience with KidSpace, the one thing we repeatedly say is, “I can’t believe this place isn’t at the top of the search results when you look for preschools. I can’t believe our good fortune in them having space for our daughter!”

Jennifer McIntyre

Opened Up a World

Kidspace was absolutely instrumental in my daughter’s growth. Her first language was Vietnamese when we enrolled and yesterday when I said it was very windy outside she said, “No, Papa, it’s blustery!”

This staff is all in on student-centered learning and the arts, crafts, and activities are just next level compared to other preschools. They’ve opened up a world in my daughters mind and we are so grateful to have found this place.

If there was a sixth star rating they’d get it. Worth every penny. Thank you

Scott Million

Perfect Fit

A little over three years ago when we first walked through the doors of KIDSPACE, we knew we’d found our fit. We’ve watched our son grow so much through his Chickadee, Bluebird, and Robin years.

KIDSPACE became home. And the amenities aren’t just limited to the high ceilings, fantastic gym, whimsical playground, and classrooms packed full of the best math, science, sensory, music, building blocks, table toy/manipulatives, libraries, and art centers. No, what makes a house a home is love. The teachers and staff have loved us all like family and we feel the same way. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to lay the foundation for our son’s education.

Katie Scot

Awesome Teachers

After visiting 6 different preschools in the area, we chose kidspace. They work with an in depth curriculum which is suited for the age group. They provide essential social skills and most importantly, the awesome teachers provide and loving and safe environment. Kathy, the owner is an experienced educator and runs a superb school. This school is truly the highest quality you will find. My son has grown by leaps and bounds in all areas in the two years he has been here.

Valerie Jones

Getting Out Energy Through Play

“My son, who is an only child and pretty introverted is absolutely LOVING Kidspace. It’s only day 4 as I write this review, and he goes 3x per week and I think he wishes he could go more! He is already learning so much, and thriving. The space truly nurtures his natural athletic ability, so that was a very important factor for us when choosing a preschool. He thinks the gym at Kidspace is his own American Ninja Warrior training space, so that’s pretty funny and awesome for us because he’s actually tired at night. He can really get out all that energy he has through play, but also learn so much about social skills and communicating his emotions, etc. They spend a lot of time outside and that’s so important! I highly recommend Kidspace.”

Meagan Hope

Well-rounded Education

“We have had two kids attend here and both have truly excelled when entering kindergarten thanks to KIDSPACE. They were always excited to go attend, even after 2.5 years! The staff is educated, and they teach in a wonderful, creative environment that is built on an excellent curriculum. They also go beyond that to teach manners, feelings, and basic life and self-managing skills. Most importantly, they do this because they are passionate to teach, and you can tell that. It has been a great experience for us and the kids!”

Kimberly Nelson

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