Welcome to Extra Steps Learning Centres! We offer fun, friendly 021 (7)preschool programs and summer day camps for young children in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Our programs are play-based and are designed to promote children's physical, emotional, social, intellectual and linguistic development in order to help them get ready for kindergarten and beyond. At Extra Steps, we pride ourselves on getting to know each child as an individual.
Children pass through sensitive periods of development early in life. Dr. Montessori described the child's mind between the time of birth and six years of age as the 'absorbent mind'. It is during this stage that a child has a tremendous ability to learn and assimilate from the world around him, without conscious effort. During this time, children are particularly receptive to certain external stimuli. A Montessori teacher recognizes and takes advantage of these highly perceptive stages through the introduction of materials and activities which are specially designed to stimulate the intellect.
Family Montessori School Society is the longest operating non-profit Montessori preschool in Vancouver. Our first school, located in False Creek near Granville Island on Sitka Square, opened in 1980. Our second school was originally situated at the Dunbar Heights Baptist Church, but was relocated to the Jericho Hill Centre on West 4th Avenue in 1995. The two schools operate as one non-profit society and are governed by a parent-run volunteer Board of Directors. Our schools offer both morning and afternoon classes and run five days a week. Up to 20 children are enrolled in each class. In keeping with the Montessori philosophy, we aim to balance the classes so that each session has a mixed age group and a balance of genders. Both sites offer an integrated preschool and kindergarten program for children between the ages of two years eight months and six years old.
We offer an open plan classroom with over 1,100 square feet of learning space. We also have a fenced and secured outdoor play area on site. Little Steps preschool is a fully licensed childcare facility. This means that our location, layout and curriculum meet the requirements provided by Community Care Facilities Licensing. This also means that the number of children attending the center cannot exceed set guidelines. Additionally, the center has also passed inspection by the City of Vancouver health department for a childcare facility.