Programs

How Does Learning Happen?

How Does Learning Happen? (HDLH) is Ontario’s official early years pedagogy, guiding licensed childcare and early learning programs across the province. It emphasizes that children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships.

The framework is built around four key foundations that support every child’s growth:

Belonging – feeling connected, valued, and part of a community
Well-Being – developing physical and emotional health and a sense of safety
Expression – exploring ideas, creativity, and communication
Engagement – discovering, problem-solving, and pursuing curiosity

At First Steps Learning & Child Care Centre, our programs follow HDLH principles, ensuring that children learn, play, and grow in a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment, while families stay connected to their child’s daily experiences.

Infant Program (0–18 Months)

Babies grow and change rapidly during their first 18 months, and our Infant Program is designed to support each stage of development at your child’s own pace.

Your baby will be cared for in a safe, comfortable, and stimulating environment that encourages growth and discovery. Parents receive daily communication through our trusted app, and morning check-ins ensure consistency between home and daycare routines. This partnership helps create a nurturing and predictable environment for your little one.

When your child is developmentally ready — usually around 18 months — we begin a smooth transition to the Toddler Program. This includes child-sized tables and chairs, gross motor activities, outdoor play, and gradual visits with toddler teachers and children.

At every step, our educators work closely with families to ensure your child feels secure, supported, and ready for their next stage of learning.

Toddlers are learning to develop control over their bodies, emotions, and social skills. At First Steps Learning & Child Care Centre, our Toddler Program provides a consistent, predictable routine filled with songs, stories, creative exploration, and play, helping children build confidence while having fun in a supportive environment.

Our program is interactive and tailored to each child’s needs. Classrooms, toys, and equipment are thoughtfully designed to support social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Activities include:

Music and movement
Dramatic play and storytelling
Daily indoor and outdoor physical activity
Open-ended art projects
Nutritious, catered meals and snacks

We offer full-time toddler programs, licensed under the Ministry of Education. Our Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) work together to create an engaging, energetic, and fun learning environment where toddlers can explore, grow, and thrive.

The transition from toddler to Preschool is gradual and thoughtful, allowing children to embrace new challenges as they develop independence and confidence.

Our Preschool Program is interactive and fun, guided by the needs and interests of each child. Using an emergent curriculum philosophy, our classrooms are designed to act as a teacher — inviting children into exploration, guiding individual and small-group play, and fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning.

Our Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) provide a wide range of materials and activities, allowing children to make choices, solve problems, and develop essential social and cognitive skills. The program helps prepare children for kindergarten in a safe, engaging, and stimulating environment.

We offer full-time preschool programs, licensed under the Ministry of Education, ensuring a structured yet flexible learning experience for every child.

Days & Hours of Operation

First Steps Learning & Child Care Centre Inc. operates Monday to Friday, 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

Ratios and Class Sizes

Group	Age	Teacher-Child Ratio	Class Size
Infants	3 - 18 Months	1:3	10
Toddlers	18 Months – 2.5 Years	1:5	15
Preschool #1	2.5 - 6 Years	1:8	24
Preschool #2	2.5 - 6 Years	1:8	23

We offer a stimulating, high quality care and education to children 3 months-6 years. Staff members encourage children to develop problem-solving skills, creativity, a sense of responsibility, independence and a positive sense of self worth. Our centre offers stimulating play activities that are organized into interest areas such as blocks, science activities, floor toys, book centre, art activities, sand-and-water area, and outdoor play. Consistent daily routines help children feel safe and secure and include opportunities for them to plan their own activities.