the first teacher
Our design-forward education centres are also built to be intrinsic teachers.
With nature-inspired textures and fixtures, every detail is intentionally tailored to support the children's emotional, social and cognitive development.
The environments children inhabit actively shape who they become. Before words, before instruction, a child's nervous system reads the room; the softness of a textile, the rhythm of light through the window, the quiet order of objects placed with care. These are not background details. They are the first teachers.
Identity in the earliest years is not taught — it forms, subconsciously, through experience. By shaping that experience with intention, we lay the internal foundation from which confidence, curiosity, and calm emerge.
At Kinder Roots, every space is designed to speak a single, unspoken message: you belong here, and your growth matters.
Daily Rhythm
(10 MONTHS – 5 YEARS)
Each day follows a gentle rhythm of learning and play, designed to balance exploration, connection, and reflection.
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
PROVOCATIONS &
MORNING TRANSITION SUPPORT
- Morning Transition and sign-in
- Open-ended indoor play (blocks, sensory, books, pretend play)
- Diapering/toileting as needed
- One-on-one connections with children
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
NUTRITION
BREAK
- Nutritious snack provided
- Hand washing routines before and after snack
- Mindful eating practices promoting health and social
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
PLANNED
LEARNING
EXPERIENCE
- Planned learning experiences
- Age-appropriate programming based on curriculum / play-based learning
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
OUTDOOR
LEARNING
CONNECTION
- Gross motor activities (climbing, running, nature walks, seasonal exploration)
- Outdoor free play and teacher-led activities (on playground or off site)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
MORNING GATHERING
- Songs, stories, calendar, sharing, and simple group discussions
- For infants: shorter, interactive sensory or musical experiences
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
LUNCH
- Balanced, hot lunch served
- Educators encourage self-help and independence (where developmentally appropriate)
- Young/bottle-fed infants may be fed individually or at flexible times
12:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Rest &
Relaxation Period
- Rest time with cots or cribs, soft music or white noise
- Non-sleepers engage in quiet table activities (books, puzzles)
- Young Infants nap according to their individual schedules (Generally twice a day)
2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
Rise &
Rejoin / Toileting
- Gradual wake-up, toileting or diaper changes
- Quiet re-entry to play
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM
Nutrition
Break
- Nutritious snack provided
- Hand washing routines before and after snack
- Social mealtime interactions
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
Outdoor Learning
Connection
- Open-ended gross motor activities, sandbox, bikes, group games
- Opportunities to engage in nature-based inquiry (collecting leaves, observing bugs, exploring weather changes)
- Encourage stewardship through caring for outdoor spaces (watering plants, tidying garden areas)
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Planned Learning Experience
- Planned learning experiences (art, music, science, fine motor, etc.)
- Age-appropriate programming based on curriculum / play-based learning
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Exploration & Family
Connection
- Indoor play (quiet centres, dramatic play, construction)
- One-on-one check-ins with children and families during pick-up
- Clean-up and transition routines
NOTES:
Daily Rhythm is flexible and responsive to individual and group needs. Educators may adjust timing and activities to meet the emotional, developmental, and cultural needs of each child.
Our Classrooms
Children at this age follow their own individual schedules (naps, feeding) and participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities each day. Our infant classrooms are staffed by infant specialists with additional training in RIE principles.
(AGES 3 MONTHS-17 MONTHS)
Children at this age follow their own individual schedules (naps, feeding) and participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities each day. Our infant classrooms are staffed by infant specialists with additional training in RIE principles.
(AGES 18 MONTHS - 30 MONTHS)
Toddlers are natural scientists. Our junior program supports their growing independence, language acquisition, and social awareness through guided play and hands-on activities.
(AGES 3 - 5 YEARS)
Our Junior Kindergarten 2 program prepares children for school readiness with a focus on social-emotional skills, literacy, and numeracy, all within a play-based framework.
Our Meal Program:
Nutrition With Purpose
At Kinder Roots, nutrition is a foundational part of a child’s growth and daily rhythm. Our meal program is thoughtfully designed to support physical development, sustained energy, and healthy habits during the most important years of growth.
Children are served fresh, balanced meals and snacks each day, prepared with whole foods and developmentally appropriate portions. Menus are designed to provide a balance of protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats — supporting steady energy, focus, and overall well-being throughout the day.
Meals are served warm, shared in a calm and social environment, and aligned with children’s natural routines — reinforcing consistency, nourishment, and care.
WHAT FAMILIES CAN EXPECT