Preschool Near Me with Music and Movement Programs 66189
Parents typically browse "preschool near me" and then make a shortlist based on area, hours, and price. All useful, all needed. Yet the programs inside the structure shape your child's days and, with time, their habits of attention, confidence, and happiness. Music and movement sit high up on that list because they develop more than rhythm. They support language, social abilities, motor preparation, and self-regulation. I have watched shy toddlers discover their voice through tapping sticks in time with a good friend. I have actually seen four-year-olds link syllables to steps, then carry that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre deals with music and movement as a day-to-day language, kids bloom.
This guide will help you evaluate preschools and early knowing centres through the lens of music and movement. It blends research-informed practice with the untidy, genuine information you discover throughout a tour: the method an instructor redirects a wiggle into a stretch, the existence of child-sized instruments that actually work, the sound of kids singing their clean-up regimen. You will also discover practical examples of schedules, questions to ask, and what separates a great program from a terrific one. If you are thinking about a local daycare or a licensed daycare that consists of toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can assist you find quality.
Why music and movement matter more than a "good additional"
Music is preschool South Surrey curriculum the only activity that illuminate nearly every area of the brain, according to imaging research 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 acknowledgment, and steadier emotional guideline. Motion connects everything together. Children under five discover with their whole bodies, not just their ears and eyes. When you combine rhythm with mobility, you trusted early child care are writing discovering into the worried system.
I as soon as 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 constructed a "march-in" regimen that started outside the room. He selected a drum, I picked a shaker, and we set a consistent beat for 45 seconds before strolling through the door. The beat kept us together, the motion burnt fixed, and we got here inside currently regulated. 2 weeks later he might sign up with without the drum. His brain had actually discovered a tempo for transition.
Preschools that get this right are not merely including a Friday singalong. They weave rhythm and motion across the day. Wash hands to a 20-second jingle. Count steps to the treat table. Use scarves to design syllables in children's names. Balance on a line while reciting a rhyme. A strong early knowing centre builds these moments into regimens so kids get day-to-day practice without feeling drilled.
What a robust program looks and sounds like
You can spot the distinction between a scripted "special" and a living program within 5 minutes of entering a class. Here are the tangible signs.
- The instruments work and fit little hands. Believe eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Damaged tambourines pushed on a high shelf signal token effort. Long lasting sets recommend planning and spending plan support.
- The room allows clear area for locomotor play. Educators can move racks to open a dance lane. Tape lines on the flooring hint at balance beams and paths. Recess alone does not count; indoor movement matters during rain or cold.
- Teachers model involvement. A teacher who sings off-key however completely permits for children to attempt. Personnel clap the beat, mirror movements, and kneel to the child's height to cue turn-taking. An instructor with a guitar is great, however not required.
- Routines run on rhythm. Shifts consist of call-and-response chants. Clean-up utilizes a brief song, constantly the exact same, so children prepare for the ending and shift smoothly. The melody is the schedule.
- Children develop as typically as they mimic. There is time free of charge dance after an assisted series. Kids compose two-beat patterns on the spot and classmates echo them. Improvisation develops agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a broad age range, you ought to see the very same viewpoint adapted for infants, toddlers, and young children. Infants explore maracas throughout stomach time. Toddler care includes stop-and-go video games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, standard characteristics, and cultural songs. An early child care team that comprehends advancement will show 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 deals with music and movement as a core. The day starts with arrivals and soft background music at about 60 to 80 beats per minute. The tempo matters. Gentle beats lower heart rate and ease separation. On the rack: childcare centre services a basket of scarves and beanbags for children who wish to move while they settle.
Morning conference begins 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 little but effective bond. When a new child joins, the class chooses the gesture. Choice keeps the routine fresh.
Centers open. In the art corner, children paint to a piece in triple meter, then change to a constant duple beat. They see how brush strokes alter. In blocks, two kids construct a bridge, then evaluate how toy cars sound at different speeds. An instructor hums slow, then quicker, and they change. A great deal of learning occurs here: cause and effect, tempo control, and descriptive language.
Before treat, a two-minute movement break resets energy. This is not a benefit, it is health for attention. The instructor cues a freeze dance with three levels of strength, then a final exhale. Heart rates sluggish, hands clean while kids sing the hygiene song, long enough for soap to work. This series conserves time later because less tips are needed.
Outdoors, you see genuine gross motor play. Not simply running, however rhythm difficulties. 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 switch hands. When weather condition keeps everyone inside, the early knowing centre leans on a motion space with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to avoid chaos.
After lunch, rest time includes a constant playlist, always the same 3 tracks in the exact same order. Predictability helps children settle, and the cues inform their bodies what to do. Kids who do not sleep can use headphones and listen to important music while "drawing what they hear." That outlet respects 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 designate instruments to characters. For kids in after school care, the very same technique shows up in club form: a drumming circle, a dance choreography group, or a songwriting lab that turns spelling words into verses. Continuity throughout ages develops a neighborhood of practice within the local daycare.
What to ask on a trip, and how to read the answers
Families typically ask about meals and nap, then leave without learning how the program deals with rhythm and movement. You can alter that with a few targeted questions.
- How frequently do children participate in scheduled music and movement, and how is it incorporated beyond a weekly class?
- What instruments and materials are available free of charge exploration, and how do you teach children to look after 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 altered in response?
- How do you adapt for children with sensory sensitivities or mobility differences?
Listen for specifics. A director who can indicate day-to-day regimens, show you the instrument shelf, and call a child's development is running a living program. Unclear statements about "great deals of singing" without examples recommend an add-on. Ask to observe a short segment. Watch instructor language. Do they say, "Utilize your strong beat hands," or "Stop that sound"? The first channels energy. The 2nd shuts discovering down.
If you are searching "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some certified daycare programs satisfy regulatory boxes, however you are searching for intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for instance, constructed a schedule where every transition, from arrival to treat, has a matching balanced hint. That intentionality displays in the calm tone of the space. You want that level of planning, whether you pick them or another strong program.
Development by age: what to search for from 12 months to 5 years
Infants and young toddlers need sensory-rich, low-pressure experiences. The very best programs provide safe instruments, varied textures, and foreseeable tunes linked to care routines. Anticipate gentle bouncing games that strengthen vestibular systems, singing play that designs turn-taking, and short, duplicated songs linked to diapering and feeding. The objective is bonding and sensory organization, not performance.
Older young children are ready for simple rhythm patterns and stop-go control. Expect matching games, start-stop dances, and call-and-response chants. They can keep a beat for one to 4 counts and can copy a movement series of two actions. Teachers should use clear visual hints, prevent long descriptions, and keep bursts short: 60 to 120 seconds, then switch.
Three-year-olds like role-play and pretend. Music ends up being story. Educators can build soundscapes for a storybook, appoint rhythms to characters, and let kids pick how to cross a pretend river. This age starts to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Anticipate counting songs that climb up into the teenagers and a focus on constant beat instead of complex syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can deal with pattern variation, characteristics, and easy notation. You might see cards with symbols for loud and soft, quick and sluggish, and kids making up a four-card phrase to carry out 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 distinctions benefit enormously when music and movement are tailored. Autistic kids typically love clear visual schedules and foreseeable songs. Children with motor hold-ups develop strength and sequencing through scaffolded motion series. A great early knowing centre will reveal you how they adapt. Ask affordable daycare near me to see visual assistances and hear how they deal with noise sensitivity, maybe through earbuds, a peaceful corner, or body socks for deep pressure.
Teacher skill makes or breaks it
A gorgeous instrument cart indicates little if teachers feel unsure. Training matters. Search for staff who comprehend:
- How to set and keep a steady beat, and how to simplify when children fall behind.
- How to layer direction: first design, then mirror, then let children lead.
- How to utilize "musicalized" language to give instructions: "Stroll on tiptoes with small mouse actions to the blue square."
- How to handle volume and excitement without shaming. Educators can reduce their own voice and slow the tempo to cue down-regulation.
- How to observe and adapt quickly, reducing segments or altering the meter to restore engagement.
When an instructor appreciates those principles, group management improves. Less reminders, more participation, less meltdowns. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an anticipated pattern, comforted by repetition, and challenged by variation at the best moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents sometimes worry that motion indicates threat. Licensed daycare programs manage danger with easy structures: clear flooring space, non-slip shoes, and guidelines expressed musically. "Sticks kiss the floor, not our heads" shouted before the sticks come out. Tap zones on the floor. Two-finger holds on headscarfs. Those guardrails keep the space safe without dulling the fun.
Check fundamental compliance. A licensed daycare ought to keep instrument health, specifically for mouthed items. Egg shakers get cleaned after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and intact. Floors are swept to avoid slips. If the program runs combined ages, ask how they different materials by size to prevent choking hazards in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge additional for a professional who visits weekly. Others construct it into tuition. Both can work, however you want the daily integration in addition to the unique. If a program just offers a 30-minute class once a week, ask how daycare services Ocean Park instructors extend themes throughout the week.
Cultural breadth and respect
Music is identity. A strong program draws from many traditions without flattening them into novelty. Children discover a clapping game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin used by a child's granny, and a powwow drum rhythm provided with context. Educators name the source and prevent costumes or accents that caricature. Households can contribute songs, and the class learns them with care. Children take in the message that many cultures bring rhythm and story, and that every household's music belongs.
I worked with a centre where a father brought a dhol drum for Vaisakhi. He taught the children a standard bhangra step. For weeks afterward, the class utilized that step as a shift move. Every child knew the father's name and greeted him with a mini action when he showed up. That is community structure through rhythm.
How programs measure progress without turning it into testing
You will not see an official music test taped to the wall in a premium program. You will see instructor notes and videos that catch development: a child who holds a stable beat for eight counts by January, a child who finds out to freeze on cue, a child who starts a turn as the leader. Those skills connect to curricular objectives such as self-regulation, partnership, and emergent literacy.
Look for portfolios with brief clips, pictures, and instructor reflections. Ask how often teachers share these with families. Some early learning centres consist of a brief "home link" where households try a chant during toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps routines consistent across home and school.
A quick look at space, noise, and sensory design
Sound quality influences habits. Rooms with soft materials soak up echoes, making music pleasant instead of frustrating. Check for rugs, drapes, and wall panels. The very best spaces consist of 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 till ready to participate full.
Visual cues direct group circulation. Picture cards for start, stop, loud, soft, jump, tiptoe. A tempo dial drawn on cardboard that the leader relocations. Kids learn to check out the room, not simply obey the adult. That is early executive function, and it grows day by day.
What this looks like across program types
A childcare centre serving babies through preschool can place movement breaks every 20 to thirty minutes for young children and every 30 to 45 minutes for young children. Teachers tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play needs fewer breaks. Direct instruction requires more and shorter. After school take care of older kids can include student-led clubs, basic recording projects, or choreography that mixes math patterns with dance developments. The thread is company. Kids select, produce, and show, not simply copy.
A local daycare with minimal space can still provide. Short, frequent bursts and clever storage make a difference. Instruments in labeled bins, scarves clipped to a hanger, a collapsible mat that becomes a safe toppling zone, tape lines that disappear under tables when not in usage. Creativity beats square footage.
A preschool near me with bigger premises can invest in outside sound walls from recycled materials: metal covers, PVC chimes, wood blocks. Children try out tone and force. Teachers hint safety guidelines and let exploration run. Rainy-day variations come inside on pegboards.
Red flags to see throughout a visit
If music and movement are an afterthought, it reveals. You might hear a disorderly, loud free-for-all labeled as "dance time" without any hints or boundaries. You might see instructors standing back and yelling pointers instead of modeling. Instruments might be broken or hoarded for "big days," which informs kids these tools are delicate and rare. Another warning is a rigid, performance-only frame of mind where children practice a song for weeks only to impress families at a vacation program. Performance can be enjoyable, but it ought to not replace day-to-day exploration.
Watch the transitions. If the class takes ten minutes to line up and three kids weep daily, the program requires much better balanced scaffolds. That is solvable, however it needs personnel training and management support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families often ask what to do at home that supports what they desire in school. Keep it basic and consistent.
- Create 2 or three short tunes for daily tasks: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Use the same melody every time.
- Add a 90-second movement break in between research or dinner steps. Jump, sway, freeze, breathe.
- Keep a little basket with 2 instruments and one scarf. Rotate items every few weeks to keep interest fresh.
None of this needs to be elegant. Your consistent presence and willingness to be a little silly teach more than any playlist.
A note on staffing and leadership
Even the very best concepts stall without a director who values them. Ask how administrators support preparing time for teachers to prepare music and motion sectors. Do they money products yearly, not just once? Do they bring in a trainer each year to refresh skills? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that budget plans for continuous 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 licensed daycare. Then check out three to 5 sites. Throughout each trip, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not searching for a conservatory. You are searching for a location where music and motion make life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you discover a centre that speaks about music with the very same seriousness as literacy, take a second look. If the instructors laugh quickly and sign up with children on the floor, that is a good indication. If your child begins tapping a beat en route out the door, excited to come back, your search is already 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
Google Maps
View on Google Maps (GBP-style search URL):
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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:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelearningcirclecorp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlc_corp/
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.
