Preschool Near Me with Music and Motion Programs 14388
Parents often search "preschool near me" and then make a shortlist based on location, hours, and rate. All useful, all needed. Yet the programs inside the structure shape your child's days and, with time, their practices of attention, confidence, and delight. Music and movement sit high on that list since they construct more than rhythm. They support language, social skills, motor planning, and self-regulation. I have enjoyed shy young children discover their voice through tapping sticks in time with a friend. I have seen four-year-olds connect syllables to steps, then carry that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre treats music and movement as a daily language, children bloom.
This guide will help you examine preschools and early knowing centres through the lens of music and movement. It blends research-informed practice with the messy, real details you notice during a tour: the way an instructor redirects a wiggle into a stretch, the presence of child-sized instruments that actually work, the sound of children singing their clean-up regimen. You will also discover useful examples of schedules, questions to ask, and what separates a good program from a great one. If you are thinking about a regional daycare or a certified daycare that consists of toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can help you spot quality.
Why music and movement matter more than a "good extra"
Music is the only activity that lights up nearly every area of the brain, according to imaging studies that look at rhythm, pitch, language, and memory. In early child care, that translates into faster vocabulary development, much better phonological awareness, stronger pattern recognition, and steadier psychological regulation. Motion connects it all together. Kids under 5 learn with their whole bodies, not simply their ears and eyes. When you combine rhythm with mobility, you are writing learning into the worried system.
I once worked with a three-year-old who had a hard time to sit throughout circle time. He fasted to dart away, then melt down when asked to rejoin. We developed a "march-in" regimen that started outside the space. He selected a drum, I chose a shaker, and we set a stable beat for 45 seconds before walking through the door. The beat kept us together, the motion burned off static, and we got here inside already controlled. Two weeks later he might sign up with without the drum. His brain had actually learned a pace for transition.
Preschools that get this right are not merely adding a Friday singalong. They weave rhythm and movement across the day. Wash hands to a 20-second jingle. Count steps to the snack table. Use scarves to design syllables in kids's names. Balance on a line while reciting a rhyme. A strong early learning centre constructs these minutes into regimens so kids get daily practice without feeling drilled.
What a robust program looks and sounds like
You can identify the distinction in between a scripted "unique" and a living program within 5 minutes of entering a classroom. Here are the concrete signs.
- The instruments function and fit small hands. Believe eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Damaged tambourines pushed on a high shelf signal token effort. Durable sets recommend planning and budget plan support.
- The room permits clear space for locomotor play. Educators can move racks to open a dance lane. Tape lines on the floor hint at balance beams and paths. Recess alone does not count; indoor movement matters during rain or cold.
- Teachers model participation. An instructor who sings off-key however completely gives permission for children to attempt. Staff clap the beat, mirror movements, and kneel to the child's height to cue turn-taking. A teacher with a guitar is great, however not required.
- Routines operate on rhythm. Transitions consist of call-and-response chants. Clean-up utilizes a brief tune, constantly the exact same, so kids prepare for the ending and shift smoothly. The tune is the schedule.
- Children create as frequently as they mimic. There is time totally free dance after a guided sequence. Kids make up two-beat patterns on the area and schoolmates echo them. Improvisation builds agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a large age range, you must see the very same viewpoint adapted for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Infants check out maracas throughout stomach time. Toddler care consists of stop-and-go games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, fundamental dynamics, and cultural songs. An early child care team that comprehends development will reveal you how they distinguish without overcomplicating.
Anatomy of a day with music and motion woven through
Picture a weekday at a childcare centre near me that treats music and motion as a core. The day starts with arrivals and soft background music at about 60 to 80 beats per minute. The tempo matters. Mild beats lower heart rate and ease separation. On the shelf: a basket of headscarfs and beanbags for children who wish to move while they settle.
Morning meeting starts with a greeting chant that includes each child's name and a simple movement: tap shoulder, clap, wave. That pattern folds social acknowledgment into a rhythm, a small but powerful bond. When a new child joins, the class decides the gesture. Option keeps the ritual fresh.
Centers open. In the art corner, children paint to a piece in triple meter, then switch to a consistent duple beat. They see how brush strokes change. In blocks, 2 kids build a bridge, then check how toy vehicles sound at various speeds. A teacher hums sluggish, then faster, and they change. A lot of finding out happens here: cause and effect, tempo control, and descriptive language.
Before snack, a two-minute movement break resets energy. This is not a benefit, it is hygiene for attention. The instructor cues a freeze dance with 3 levels of intensity, then a last exhale. Heart rates sluggish, hands clean while children sing the hygiene song, enough time for soap to work. This series conserves time later on because less reminders are needed.
Outdoors, you see real gross motor play. Not just running, but rhythm challenges. Hop to the drum. Stroll the chalk line heel to toe while chanting numbers to 20. Toss and catch a soft ball on a count of three, then change hands. When weather keeps everyone inside, the early learning centre leans on a movement room with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to avoid chaos.
After lunch, rest time includes a constant playlist, constantly the same 3 tracks in the same order. Predictability assists kids settle, and the hints tell their bodies what to do. Children who do not sleep can use earphones and listen to instrumental music while "drawing what they hear." That outlet appreciates distinctions without turning rest into a power struggle.
The afternoon brings a short music circle. One day it is world instruments. Another day it is story soundscapes where kids assign instruments to characters. For children in after school care, the exact same technique shows up in club form: a drumming circle, a dance choreography group, or a songwriting lab that turns spelling words into verses. Connection throughout ages develops a neighborhood of practice within the regional daycare.
What to ask on a trip, and how to check out the answers
Families frequently inquire about meals and nap, then leave without finding out how the program deals with rhythm and motion. You can alter that with a few targeted questions.
- How typically do children participate in organized music and motion, and how is it incorporated beyond a weekly class?
- What instruments and products are available free of charge expedition, and how do you teach children to take care of them?
- How do you utilize rhythm and motion to support shifts and self-regulation?
- Can you share an example of a child who took advantage of music and movement in a particular way, and what you changed in response?
- How do you adapt for kids with sensory sensitivities or movement differences?
Listen for specifics. A director who can indicate everyday regimens, reveal you the instrument rack, and name a child's progress is running a living program. Vague statements about "lots of singing" without examples recommend an add-on. Ask to observe a brief section. View teacher language. Do they state, "Use your strong beat hands," or "Stop that noise"? The first channels energy. The 2nd shuts discovering down.
If you are browsing "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some certified daycare programs meet regulative boxes, but you are searching for intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for example, constructed a schedule where every transition, from arrival to snack, has a matching rhythmic cue. That intentionality displays in the calm tone of the room. You want that level of preparation, whether you select them or another strong program.
Development by age: what to look for from 12 months to 5 years
Infants and young toddlers need sensory-rich, low-pressure experiences. The very best programs give them safe instruments, differed textures, and foreseeable songs connected to care regimens. Anticipate gentle bouncing video games that strengthen vestibular systems, vocal play that designs turn-taking, and short, duplicated tunes connected to diapering and feeding. The objective is bonding and sensory organization, not performance.
Older toddlers are prepared for basic rhythm patterns and stop-go control. Anticipate mirroring video games, start-stop dances, and call-and-response chants. They can keep a beat for one to 4 counts and can copy a movement sequence of 2 actions. Teachers should provide clear visual cues, avoid long descriptions, and keep bursts brief: 60 to 120 seconds, then switch.
Three-year-olds love role-play and pretend. Music becomes story. Teachers can construct soundscapes for a storybook, assign rhythms to characters, and let kids pick how to move across a pretend river. This age starts to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Expect counting songs that climb up into the teens and a focus on stable beat rather than complicated syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can manage pattern variation, dynamics, and basic notation. You might see cards with signs for loud and soft, fast and sluggish, and children composing a four-card phrase to perform with sticks. They can partner dance, switch leaders, and assess the sensation of a piece. This is where a preschool near me can draw a straight line from rhythm to checking out fluency, from collaborated movement to much better pencil grip.
Children with developmental differences benefit enormously when music and movement are customized. Autistic kids frequently love clear visual schedules and predictable songs. Kids with motor hold-ups build strength and sequencing through scaffolded movement series. An excellent early knowing centre will show you how they adapt. Ask to see visual assistances and hear how they deal with sound level of sensitivity, perhaps through earbuds, a quiet corner, or body socks for deep pressure.
Teacher skill makes or breaks it
A beautiful instrument cart implies little if teachers feel uncertain. Training matters. Search for staff who understand:
- How to set and keep a stable beat, and how to streamline when children fall behind.
- How to layer guideline: very first model, then mirror, then let kids lead.
- How to utilize "musicalized" language to provide direction: "Walk on tiptoes with tiny mouse actions to the blue square."
- How to handle volume and enjoyment without shaming. Educators can decrease their own voice and slow the pace to cue down-regulation.
- How to observe and adapt quickly, reducing sections or altering the meter to bring back engagement.
When an instructor respects those concepts, group management enhances. Fewer pointers, more participation, fewer crises. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an expected pattern, comforted by repetition, and challenged by variation at the right moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents often fret that motion means risk. Licensed daycare programs manage danger with simple structures: clear flooring area, non-slip shoes, and rules revealed musically. "Sticks kiss the floor, not our heads" chanted before the sticks come out. Tap zones on early learning centre reviews the floor. Two-finger hangs on headscarfs. Those guardrails keep the room safe without dulling the fun.
Check fundamental compliance. A licensed daycare must preserve instrument health, especially for mouthed products. Egg shakers get wiped after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and intact. Floorings are swept to prevent slips. If the program runs mixed ages, ask how they different materials by size to prevent choking risks in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge extra for a professional who goes to weekly. Others develop it into tuition. Both can work, however you want the everyday combination in addition to the unique. If a program just offers a 30-minute class once a week, ask how instructors extend themes throughout the week.
Cultural breadth and respect
Music is identity. A strong program draws from numerous customs without flattening them into novelty. Kids find out a clapping video game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin used by a child's grandma, and a powwow drum rhythm provided with context. Educators name the source and prevent outfits or accents that caricature. Families can contribute tunes, and the class learns them with care. Children take in the message that numerous cultures carry rhythm and story, and that every family's music belongs.
I worked with a centre where a father brought a dhol drum for Vaisakhi. He taught the kids a standard bhangra action. For weeks later, the class used that step as a transition move. Every child understood the dad's name and welcomed him with a mini action when he showed up. That is community structure through rhythm.
How programs determine development without turning it into testing
You will not see an official music test taped to the wall in a top quality program. You will see instructor notes and videos that capture development: a child who holds a steady beat for eight counts by January, a child who learns to freeze on cue, a child who initiates a turn as the leader. Those skills connect to curricular objectives such as self-regulation, collaboration, and emergent literacy.
Look for portfolios with short clips, photos, and instructor reflections. Ask how typically instructors share these with households. Some early knowing centres consist of a brief "home link" where households attempt a chant throughout toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps regimens consistent across home and school.
A quick look at area, noise, and sensory design
Sound quality affects behavior. Rooms with soft materials soak up echoes, making music enjoyable instead of frustrating. Check for carpets, curtains, and wall panels. The very best areas include a quiet corner where a child can listen from the edge, not pushed into the middle from the start. Earphones are a tool, not a crutch. They let a child get involved at a bearable volume up until all set to take part full.
Visual cues assist group flow. Photo cards for start, stop, loud, soft, dive, tiptoe. A pace dial drawn on cardboard that the leader relocations. Kids find out to check out the room, not simply follow the grownup. That is early executive function, and it grows day by day.
What this looks like throughout program types
A childcare centre serving babies through preschool can position movement breaks every 20 to 30 minutes for toddlers and every 30 to 45 minutes for young children. Teachers tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play requires less breaks. Direct instruction needs more and shorter. After school care for older children can include student-led clubs, easy recording jobs, or choreography that blends math patterns with dance developments. The thread is company. Children pick, create, and show, not just copy.
A regional daycare with limited area can still deliver. Short, frequent bursts and clever storage make a difference. Instruments in labeled bins, scarves clipped to a hanger, a foldable mat that ends up being a safe tumbling zone, tape lines that disappear under tables when not in use. Creativity beats square footage.
A preschool near me with bigger premises can invest in outdoor sound walls from recycled materials: metal lids, PVC chimes, wood blocks. Kids try out timbre and force. Teachers cue security guidelines and let expedition run. Rainy-day variations come inside on pegboards.
Red flags to observe throughout a visit
If music and movement are an afterthought, it reveals. You may hear a chaotic, loud free-for-all identified as "dance time" without any hints or boundaries. You might see instructors standing back and shouting suggestions instead of modeling. Instruments might be broken or hoarded for "big days," which tells children these tools are delicate and uncommon. Another red flag is a stiff, performance-only state of mind where kids practice a tune for weeks only to impress households at a vacation show. Performance can be fun, however it needs to not change everyday exploration.
Watch the transitions. If the class takes ten minutes to line up and three kids sob daily, the program needs better rhythmic scaffolds. That is understandable, however it requires staff training and leadership support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families frequently ask what to do in the house that supports what they want in school. Keep it simple and consistent.
- Create two or three short tunes for daily tasks: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Utilize the exact same tune every time.
- Add a 90-second movement break in between homework or dinner actions. Jump, sway, freeze, breathe.
- Keep a little basket with two instruments and one headscarf. Turn items every couple of weeks to keep interest fresh.
None of this needs to be elegant. Your steady presence and determination to be a little ridiculous teach more than any playlist.
A note on staffing and leadership
Even the best concepts stall without a director who values them. Ask how administrators support planning time for instructors to prepare music and movement segments. Do they money materials every year, not just when? Do they generate a trainer each year to revitalize abilities? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that budgets for ongoing training and constructs rhythm into its curriculum map will weather staff turnover much better. Connection is not luck; it is structured.
Finding the ideal fit in your area
When you type daycare near me or preschool near me, the map peppered with pins can feel frustrating. Start with distance, hours, and whether the program is a certified daycare. Then go to 3 to 5 sites. Throughout each tour, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not hunting for a conservatory. You are looking for a location where music and movement make life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you find a centre that discusses music with the very same seriousness as literacy, take a second look. If the instructors laugh quickly and sign up with kids on the flooring, that is a good sign. If your child starts tapping a beat en route out the door, excited to come back, your search is currently responding to itself.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre – South Surrey Campus
Also known as: The Learning Circle Ocean Park Campus; The Learning Circle Childcare South Surrey
Address: 100 – 12761 16 Avenue (Pacific Building), Surrey, BC V4A 1N3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-385-5890
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/
Campus page: https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/south-surrey-campus-oceanpark
Tagline: Providing Care & Early Education for the Whole Child Since 1992
Main services: Licensed childcare, daycare, preschool, before & after school care, Foundations classes (1–4), Foundations of Mindful Movement, summer camps, hot lunch & snacks
Primary service area: South Surrey, Ocean Park, White Rock BC
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Plus code:
24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia
Business Hours (Ocean Park / South Surrey Campus)
Regular hours:
Note: Hours may differ on statutory holidays; families are usually encouraged to confirm directly with the campus before visiting.
Social Profiles:
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelearningcirclechildcare
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is a holistic childcare and early learning centre located at 100 – 12761 16 Avenue in the Pacific Building in South Surrey’s Ocean Park neighbourhood of Surrey, BC V4A 1N3, Canada.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus provides full-day childcare and preschool programs for children aged 1 to 5 through its Foundations 1, Foundations 2 and Foundations 3 classes.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers before-and-after school care for children 5 to 12 years old in its Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders program, serving Ecole Laronde, Ray Shepherd and Ocean Cliff elementary schools.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus focuses on whole-child development that blends academics, social-emotional learning, movement, nutrition and mindfulness in a safe, family-centred setting.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is closed on weekends and most statutory holidays.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus serves families in South Surrey, Ocean Park and nearby White Rock, British Columbia.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus has the primary phone number +1 604-385-5890 for enrolment, tours and general enquiries.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus can be contacted by email at [email protected]
or via the online forms on https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/
.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers additional programs such as Foundations of Mindful Movement, a hot lunch and snack program, and seasonal camps for school-age children.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is part of The Learning Circle Inc., an early learning network established in 1992 in British Columbia.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is categorized as a day care center, child care service and early learning centre in local business directories and on Google Maps.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus values safety, respect, harmony and long-term relationships with families in the community.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus maintains an active online presence on Facebook, Instagram (@tlc_corp) and YouTube (The Learning Circle Childcare Centre Inc).
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus uses the Google Maps plus code 24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia to identify its location close to Ocean Park Village and White Rock amenities.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus welcomes children from 12 months to 12 years and embraces inclusive, multicultural values that reflect the diversity of South Surrey and White Rock families.
People Also Ask about The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus
What ages does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus accept?
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus typically welcomes children from about 12 months through 12 years of age, with age-specific Foundations programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Where is The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus located?
The campus is located in the Pacific Building at 100 – 12761 16 Avenue in South Surrey’s Ocean Park area, just a short drive from central White Rock and close to the 128 Street and 16 Avenue corridor.
What programs are offered at the South Surrey / Ocean Park campus?
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers Foundations 1 and 2 for infants and toddlers, Foundations 3 for preschoolers, Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders for school-age children, along with Foundations of Mindful Movement, hot lunch and snack programs, and seasonal camps.
Does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus provide before and after school care?
Yes, the campus provides before-and-after school care through its Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders program, typically serving children who attend nearby elementary schools such as Ecole Laronde, Ray Shepherd and Ocean Cliff, subject to availability and current routing.
Are meals and snacks included in tuition?
Core programs at The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus usually include a hot lunch and snacks, designed to support healthy eating habits so families do not need to pack full meals each day.
What makes The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus different from other daycares?
The campus emphasizes a whole-child approach that balances school readiness, social-emotional growth, movement and mindfulness, with long-standing “Foundations” curriculum, dedicated early childhood educators, and a strong focus on safety and family partnerships.
Which neighbourhoods does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus primarily serve?
The South Surrey campus primarily serves families living in Ocean Park, South Surrey and nearby White Rock, as well as commuters who travel along 16 Avenue and the 128 Street and 152 Street corridors.
How can I contact The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus?
You can contact The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus by calling +1 604-385-5890, by visiting their social channels such as Facebook and Instagram, or by going to https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/ to learn more and submit a tour or enrolment enquiry.
