Frequently asked questions.

In short, a co-operative preschool is a non-profit organization run together with the parents of the children enrolled. At Oriole, our families play a vital role in the school’s operations and ongoing success. The school is administered by an elected Board of Directors and numerous volunteer committees, comprised of families with children currently (or previously) enrolled in the school. All families choose a Board or non-Board volunteer position that contributes to the daily management and operation of the school and its activities. Each family can affect the direction of the organization as a member of Oriole Nursery School, and is entitled to one vote per child at the Annual General Meeting. The heart of our co-operative school are our Duty Day participants — parents and caregivers of children currently enrolled who act as assistant teachers in the school, participating twice a month in the program.

The list of parent volunteer jobs changes a little from year to year — recent roles include Property Maintenance and Repair, Curriculum Enrichment, Purchaser, Yearbook and Newsletter Editor, Fundraising Committee, Playdough Preparation, Art Filer, Weekly Laundry, School Outings / In-Class Photographers, and Scholastic Book Coordinator. See The Co-operative page for this year’s roles and what each involves.

Duty Day parents or caregivers work with the teachers in the classroom. It is a special opportunity to observe your child playing, interacting with others and engaging in new activities. In addition, it provides valuable support for the teachers and helps them gain a better understanding of your child. Each participating family is normally expected to attend 1 Duty Day every 2 weeks, per child. If families are not able to participate in the classroom they can opt to be non-participating. Non-participating families pay a higher fee to compensate for hiring assistants to maintain our adult-to-child ratio, and still provide assistance to the co-operative by fulfilling a volunteer position. Of course, non-participating parents are always welcome to visit the classroom to observe their child and teacher whenever they’d like — our door is always open!

No. Children do not have to be toilet trained to attend Oriole Nursery School. The school works with parents to encourage children who are interested in using the toilet, and to ensure it is a positive experience.

Oriole’s program emphasizes “learning through play,” where preschoolers learn about themselves, others, and their environment through actively exploring and experimenting with a variety of materials and equipment. Children are naturally curious, eager to learn and want to master new skills. Learning is enhanced when children are free to choose where they play, with what, and with whom. Teachers, assistants and Duty Day participants support the children’s choices and their quest for independence and learning while maintaining a framework of common sense, safety and well-being. Creativity is essential to the early years: Oriole enhances creativity through dramatic arts, music, storytelling, artistic creation and sensory exploration, special events, and gross and fine motor activities. Socially, we nurture the children’s growing interest in playing with others by helping them learn to share, take turns, verbalize their thoughts and feelings, and find acceptable solutions to challenges. The curriculum follows the interests and learning needs of the children, and is based on ELECT, a provincial framework set out by the Ontario government.

Special events on Toronto District School Board PD days are open to siblings of students enrolled in the school (with caregivers present). Special events include (but are not limited to) special classes or visits from Rainbow Songs, Little Yogis, Pawsitively Pets, Mystic Drumz, Little Rebels, and more.

In the Toddler class, our adult-to-child ratio is 1 adult to every 5 children. In the Junior and Senior Preschool classes, our ratio is 1 adult to every 8 children. Every classroom is always led by a licensed Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE).

At this time, Oriole Nursery School will not be participating in the provincial government’s Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.

Our Toddler license allows us to intake children as of 18 months old. Children in the Toddler class play in the Toddler classroom, our small gym, and in one of our dedicated circle-time rooms. Once children are between the ages of 2.3 to 2.6, they will be assessed for their ability to climb stairs independently and to navigate the various inclines and climbing structures in the playground, without the help of an adult. Once children are able to climb safely, a discussion takes place with the teachers, Supervisor and parents to determine which classroom placement is the best fit for each child. If there is space, and the family wishes to move the child into the older class, they will be moved into the Junior class mid-year. (Fees are based on the age of the child upon start date, and not age grouping, as children below 2.6 require a higher adult-to-child ratio.)