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● Junior Preschool · ages 2.6–3

Friendships, first independence, and a morning full of discovery.

A warm, busy room where two- and three-year-olds learn to play together, follow a rhythm, and explore the world through play.

2.6–3 yrs
Age range
12
Children, maximum
1:8
Educator ratio
2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Mornings, 9–12
About the class

A gentle step into a bigger world.

Junior Preschool is where children build their first real friendships. The day centres on social relationships, language, following routines, growing independence, and learning empathy toward others — all through play-based discovery, with 45 minutes of outdoor playground time and daily creative activities. Toilet training isn’t required, and children may join from our Toddler class once they’re ready.

A day in Junior Preschool

The rhythm of the day.

Predictable, unhurried, and full of choice — the structure that helps little ones feel secure. And new this September: the day can continue through lunch and the afternoon, until 2:45.

Half Day Schedule · 9:00–12:00 · Monday–Friday
Arrival
Settling in & hellos
Classroom
Activities & free play
Snack
Healthy, made on-site
Gym
Active indoor play
Circle
Songs & stories
Outdoor
Playground time
Pickup
Goodbyes at noon
New Extended Day · 12:00–2:45 · Monday–Friday · Ages 2.5+
12:00–12:15
Reading & quiet activities — a calm transition as the morning program ends
12:15–12:35
le cercle français — French circle time every day: songs, activities and books
12:45–1:15
Lunch in the preschool art room — brought from home; lunch guidelines provided; Oriole remains nut-safe
1:15–1:45
Free play in the classroom
1:45–2:15
Science, STEM & extended art project
2:15–2:45
Outdoor play & dismissal
8 spaces · Ages 2.5+ · Monday–Friday · Begins September 2026 · Places offered in order of response
Tell us you’re interested
More than a morning

Enrichment woven through the week.

Two specialist classes run every single week: Sportball every second Monday and French every Friday — plus a rotating mix of the activities below.

French · Fridays — daily with Extended Day
Sportball · Every second Monday
Music & Dance
Yoga
Science
Cooking
Gardening
Junior fees · 2026/2027

Simple, co-op-friendly tuition.

Monthly tuition, billed over our 10-month school year (September–June). As a co-operative, participating families pay less by lending a hand on Duty Days; non-participating tuition covers a hired assistant instead. Limited spaces available for 2026/27.

Enrolment
Participating (with Duty Days)
Non-participating
5 mornings / week (Monday – Friday)
$795 / mo
$1,016 / mo
4 mornings / week
$747 / mo
$968 / mo
3 mornings / week
$628 / mo
$853 / mo
2 mornings / week (Tue & Thu)
$502 / mo
$727 / mo
Extended day — 5 full days, 9:00–2:45 · NEW · ages 2.5+
$1,380 / mo
$1,601 / mo
$150
Application fee — one-time, non-refundable
$850
Deposit — required to hold your child’s space (non-refundable)
5%
Sibling discount for each additional child enrolled

All mornings run 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The new extended day adds $585/month of afternoon programming ($5,850 over the 10-month year) to the 5-morning rate — 8 spaces, ages 2.5+. Participating families assist on a Duty Day once bi-weekly per child; non-participating families have no classroom assistance requirement. Duty Days cover the morning program only (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) — even if your child stays for the extended day. Every family also holds a Board or non-Board volunteer position. Oriole is a non-profit co-operative and has opted out of CWELCC. Fees are confirmed annually and published each spring — please confirm current rates when you apply.

View the full fee schedule — payment breakdown, dates & policies →
See it for yourself

Take a virtual tour.

A quick look inside our classrooms, gym and playground — then come see it in person.

Get more info

Learn more about Junior Preschool.

Tell us a little about your child and we’ll send program details and answer your questions.

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Beyond the classroom

Special days & visitors they’ll remember.

Throughout the year, the Junior room fills with guests, celebrations and a few adventures out into the city.

Fall Play Date
An informal autumn get-together where families get to know the teachers and each other.
Family Day at Riverdale Farm
A morning together with the animals.
Toronto Botanical Gardens
A spring field trip among the flowers.
Pawsitively Pets
Friendly animal visitors come to school.
Mystic Drumz
An interactive music & rhythm experience.
Rainbow Songs
A joyful family sing-along.
Little Yogis
Gentle yoga and mindful movement.
Bring an Instrument Day
Children share music from home.
Seasonal celebrations
PJ parties, Halloween, and a French Valentine’s morning.
“I Love You Day”
A caregiver-appreciation tea and performance.
Holiday Party
A community-hall celebration for all the family.
Graduation
A proud send-off at the end of the year.
Meet your educator

Emily Toth

Junior Preschool Class Leader · with Oriole since 2011

Curious and creative by nature, Emily focuses on each child’s emotional development — with an emphasis on respect, encouragement and celebrating every child’s individual aptitudes.

She holds an Early Childhood Education diploma from Mothercraft College, where she received an Award for Outstanding Achievement, with training in communication, self-expression, speech and literacy development, and risk-taking play.

Good to know

Junior Preschool questions, answered.

Does my child need to be toilet trained?

No. Toilet training isn’t required for any class. We work alongside you to encourage toileting readiness as a positive, pressure-free experience.

What is a co-operative nursery school?

A co-operative is a non-profit run with its families. Parents take part in classroom life and in how the school is run, which keeps classes small, fees lower, and the community close. We’ll explain the options on your tour — or see our Co-operative page for how it works and the volunteer roles.

What’s your teaching approach?

Learning through play, guided by ELECT — Ontario’s Early Learning framework. Our RECE educators build the program around the children’s real interests, so play is always developing language, early numeracy, motor skills and social-emotional growth.

How big are the classes, and what are the ratios?

Junior Preschool stays small, with high adult-to-child ratios and at least one Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in every classroom.

How does the move up from the Toddler class work?

Children transition from Toddler to Junior around 2.3–2.6 years, once they’re comfortably navigating stairs and the playground independently — always at a pace that’s right for your child.

Do you take part in the CWELCC government program?

Not at this time. Our board found that staying outside CWELCC protects our program quality, staffing flexibility and financial stability as a small co-op.

When can we register?

Registration is on-going throughout the school year, until March (based on availability).

Do classes ever run together?

During times of low enrolment, our Junior class may run in conjunction with either our Toddler or our Senior class.

See the Junior room for yourself.

Enrolments are open for the 2026/2027 school year. Come visit and meet Emily.