Preschool Near Me with Music and Movement Programs 74124
Parents typically search "preschool near me" and then make a shortlist based upon location, hours, and rate. All practical, all required. Yet the programs inside the structure shape your child's days and, in time, their habits of attention, self-confidence, and happiness. Music and motion sit high up on that list because they develop more than rhythm. They support language, social skills, motor preparation, and self-regulation. I have watched shy toddlers find their voice through tapping sticks in time with a buddy. I have actually seen four-year-olds connect syllables to steps, then bring that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre treats music and movement as a day-to-day language, children bloom.
This guide will help you assess preschools and early knowing centres through the lens of music and motion. It mixes research-informed practice with the untidy, genuine information you discover throughout a trip: the method a teacher redirects a wiggle into a stretch, the presence of child-sized instruments that in fact work, the noise of children singing their clean-up routine. You will also find practical examples of schedules, concerns to ask, and what separates a great program from a fantastic one. If you are considering a regional daycare or a licensed daycare that includes toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can assist you spot quality.
Why music and motion matter more than a "nice additional"
Music is the only activity that illuminate nearly every region of the brain, according to imaging research studies that take a look at rhythm, pitch, language, and memory. In early childcare, that equates into faster vocabulary growth, better phonological awareness, more powerful pattern acknowledgment, and steadier emotional policy. Movement ties it all together. Children under 5 discover with their whole bodies, not simply their ears and eyes. When you match rhythm with mobility, you are writing finding out into the worried system.
I when worked with a three-year-old who struggled to sit throughout circle time. He fasted to dart away, then melt down when asked to rejoin. We constructed a "march-in" routine that began outside the room. He picked a drum, I selected a shaker, and we set a constant beat for 45 seconds before walking through the door. The beat kept us together, the movement burned off static, and we arrived inside currently controlled. 2 weeks later on he could sign up with without the drum. His brain had discovered a tempo for transition.
Preschools that get this right are not simply including a Friday singalong. They weave rhythm and motion throughout the day. Wash hands to a 20-second jingle. Count steps to the snack table. Usage scarves to model syllables in kids's names. Balance on a line while reciting a rhyme. A strong early learning centre constructs these minutes into regimens so children get day-to-day practice without feeling drilled.
What a robust program looks and sounds like
You can find the local childcare centre difference in between a scripted "special" and a living program within 5 minutes of entering a classroom. Here are the concrete signs.
- The instruments operate and fit small hands. Believe eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Broken tambourines pushed on a high shelf signal token effort. Durable sets suggest preparation and budget support.
- The space permits clear area for locomotor play. Educators can slide shelves to open a dance lane. Tape lines on the floor mean balance beams and pathways. Recess alone does not count; indoor movement matters during rain or cold.
- Teachers model involvement. An instructor who sings off-key but totally allows for children to attempt. Personnel clap the beat, mirror motions, and kneel to the child's height to hint turn-taking. An instructor with a guitar is nice, but not required.
- Routines work on rhythm. Transitions consist of call-and-response chants. Clean-up uses a brief tune, always the exact same, so kids anticipate the ending and shift smoothly. The tune is the schedule.
- Children produce as frequently as they mimic. There is time free of charge dance after a guided sequence. Kids compose two-beat patterns on the spot and schoolmates echo them. Improvisation constructs agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a large age variety, you should see the very same viewpoint adjusted for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Babies explore maracas during stomach time. Toddler care consists of stop-and-go games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, basic characteristics, and cultural tunes. An early childcare group that understands development will show you how they distinguish without overcomplicating.
Anatomy of a day with music and movement woven through
Picture a weekday at a childcare centre near me that deals with music and motion as a core. The day starts with arrivals and soft background music at about 60 to 80 beats per minute. The pace matters. Gentle beats lower heart rate and ease separation. On the rack: a basket of scarves and beanbags for kids who wish to move while they settle.
Morning meeting begins with a greeting chant that consists of each child's name and a simple motion: tap shoulder, clap, wave. That pattern folds social recognition into a rhythm, a little but powerful bond. When a brand-new child joins, the class chooses the gesture. Option keeps the routine fresh.
Centers open. In the art corner, children paint to a piece in triple meter, then change to a steady duple beat. They observe how brush strokes alter. In blocks, 2 kids build a bridge, then check how toy cars sound at different speeds. A teacher hums sluggish, then much faster, and they adjust. A lot of discovering occurs here: domino effect, tempo control, and detailed language.
Before snack, a two-minute motion break resets energy. This is not a reward, it is hygiene for attention. The teacher hints a freeze dance with three levels of intensity, then a final exhale. Heart rates slow, hands clean while kids sing the health tune, enough time for soap to work. This series saves time later because fewer suggestions are needed.
Outdoors, you see genuine 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 capture a soft ball on a count of 3, then change hands. When weather condition keeps everybody inside, the early knowing centre leans on a motion room with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to prevent chaos.
After lunch, rest time includes a consistent playlist, always the same 3 tracks in the same order. Predictability helps kids settle, and the cues tell their bodies what to do. Kids who do not sleep can use earphones and listen to crucial music while "drawing what they hear." That outlet respects distinctions without turning rest into a power struggle.
The afternoon brings a brief music circle. One day it is world instruments. Another day it is story soundscapes where children appoint instruments to characters. For children in after school care, the very same technique shows up in club kind: a drumming circle, a dance choreography group, or a songwriting lab that turns spelling words into verses. Connection throughout ages builds a neighborhood of practice within the local daycare.
What to ask on a tour, and how to read the answers
Families often ask about meals and nap, then leave without learning how the program handles rhythm and motion. You can alter that with a couple of targeted questions.
- How typically do kids take part in organized music and movement, and how is it integrated beyond a weekly class?
- What instruments and materials are available totally free expedition, and how do you teach kids to look after them?
- How do you use rhythm and movement to support transitions and self-regulation?
- Can you share an example of a child who took advantage of music and motion in a particular way, and what you altered in response?
- How do you adapt for children with sensory sensitivities or movement differences?
Listen for specifics. A director who can point to everyday routines, show you the instrument shelf, and call a child's development is running a living program. Vague statements about "lots of singing" without examples recommend an add-on. Ask to observe a short sector. Enjoy teacher language. Do they state, "Use your strong beat hands," or "Stop that sound"? The first channels energy. The second shuts learning down.
If you are browsing "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some certified daycare programs satisfy regulative boxes, but you are looking for intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for example, developed a schedule where every shift, from arrival to treat, has a matching rhythmic hint. That intentionality displays in the calm tone of the space. You want that level of preparation, whether you pick them or another strong program.
Development by age: what to try to find 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 predictable songs linked to care regimens. Expect gentle bouncing video games that reinforce vestibular systems, vocal play that models turn-taking, and short, repeated songs linked to diapering and feeding. The objective is bonding and sensory company, not performance.
Older young children are prepared for basic rhythm patterns and stop-go control. Anticipate mirroring games, start-stop dances, and call-and-response chants. They can keep a beat for one to 4 counts and can copy a motion sequence of two actions. Teachers should provide clear visual hints, avoid 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, designate rhythms to characters, and let children pick how to move across a pretend river. This age starts to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Anticipate counting tunes that climb up into the teens and a concentrate on constant beat instead of complex syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can deal with pattern variation, dynamics, and easy notation. You might see cards with symbols for loud and soft, fast and slow, and children making up a four-card phrase to perform with sticks. They can partner dance, switch leaders, and assess the feeling of a piece. This is where a preschool near me can draw a straight line from rhythm to checking out fluency, from collaborated motion to much better pencil grip.
Children with developmental distinctions benefit tremendously when music and movement are customized. Autistic children frequently thrive with clear visual schedules and foreseeable tunes. Kids with motor delays construct strength and sequencing through scaffolded movement series. A good early learning centre will reveal you how they adapt. Ask to see visual assistances and hear how they handle sound level of sensitivity, possibly through earbuds, a peaceful 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. Look for personnel who comprehend:
- How to set and keep a stable beat, and how to streamline when children fall behind.
- How to layer instruction: first model, then mirror, then let children lead.
- How to utilize "musicalized" language to give instructions: "Stroll on tiptoes with tiny mouse steps to the blue square."
- How to manage volume and enjoyment without shaming. Educators can lower their own voice and slow the tempo to cue down-regulation.
- How to observe and adjust rapidly, reducing sections or changing the meter to restore engagement.
When a teacher respects those concepts, group management enhances. Fewer pointers, more involvement, fewer disasters. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an anticipated pattern, comforted by repetition, and challenged by variation at the right moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents often worry that movement means threat. Accredited daycare programs manage risk with easy structures: clear floor area, non-slip shoes, and guidelines revealed musically. "Sticks kiss the flooring, not our heads" chanted before the sticks come out. Tap zones on the flooring. Two-finger holds on headscarfs. Those guardrails keep the room safe without dulling the fun.
Check basic compliance. A licensed daycare needs to keep instrument hygiene, specifically for mouthed items. Egg shakers get wiped after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and intact. Floorings are swept to prevent slips. If the program runs combined ages, ask how they different products by size to prevent choking threats in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge extra for an expert who checks out weekly. Others construct it into tuition. Both can work, but you want the daily combination in addition to the unique. If a program just uses 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 lots of customs without flattening them into novelty. Children learn a clapping video game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin provided by a child's grandmother, and a powwow drum rhythm provided with context. Teachers call 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 numerous cultures bring 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 children a basic bhangra action. For weeks later, the class used that action as a transition relocation. Every child knew the father's name and greeted him with a tiny action when he showed up. That is neighborhood building through rhythm.
How programs determine progress 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 teacher notes and videos that capture growth: a child who holds a stable beat for 8 counts by January, a child who learns to freeze on cue, a child who initiates a turn as the leader. Those skills tie to curricular goals such as self-regulation, cooperation, and emerging literacy.
Look for portfolios with quick clips, images, and instructor reflections. Ask how often teachers share these with families. Some early learning centres consist of a short "home link" where families try a chant throughout toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps routines constant throughout home and school.
A glimpse at space, sound, and sensory design
Sound quality affects habits. Spaces with soft products absorb echoes, making music pleasant instead of overwhelming. Look for rugs, drapes, and wall panels. The best areas include a quiet corner where a child can listen from the edge, not forced into the middle from the start. Headphones are a tool, not a crutch. They let a child take part at a tolerable volume up until ready to participate full.
Visual cues assist group flow. Image cards for start, stop, loud, soft, dive, tiptoe. A pace dial made use of cardboard that the leader moves. Kids discover to read the room, not just obey the adult. That is early executive function, and it grows day by day.
What this appears like throughout program types
A childcare centre serving babies through preschool can position motion breaks every 20 to 30 minutes for toddlers and every 30 to 45 minutes for preschoolers. Educators tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play needs less breaks. Direct instruction requires more and much shorter. After school look after older kids can involve student-led clubs, easy recording tasks, or choreography that blends mathematics patterns with dance developments. The thread is firm. Children select, produce, and show, not simply copy.
A regional daycare with limited area can still deliver. Short, frequent bursts and wise storage make a distinction. Instruments in identified bins, headscarfs clipped to a wall mount, a collapsible mat that becomes a safe toppling zone, tape lines that vanish under tables when not in usage. Creativity beats square footage.
A preschool near me with larger grounds can invest in outside sound walls from recycled products: metal lids, PVC chimes, wood blocks. Kids try out tone and force. Educators cue security guidelines and let exploration run. Rainy-day versions come inside on pegboards.
Red flags to discover throughout a visit
If music and movement are an afterthought, it shows. You might hear a chaotic, loud free-for-all labeled as "dance time" without any cues or borders. You may see teachers standing back and yelling pointers instead of modeling. Instruments might be broken or hoarded for "special days," which informs children these tools are fragile and unusual. Another warning is a stiff, performance-only mindset where children practice a song for weeks only to impress families at a vacation show. Efficiency can be fun, but it needs to not change day-to-day exploration.
Watch the transitions. If the class takes 10 minutes to line up and 3 kids cry daily, the program requires much better rhythmic scaffolds. That is understandable, but it requires personnel training and leadership support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families often ask what to do in the house that supports what they want in school. Keep it easy and consistent.
- Create 2 or three brief songs for daily jobs: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Utilize the exact same tune every time.
- Add a 90-second movement break between research or supper actions. Jump, sway, freeze, breathe.
- Keep a small basket with two instruments and one headscarf. Turn products every couple of weeks to keep interest fresh.
None of this requires to be fancy. Your consistent presence and willingness to be a little ridiculous teach more than any playlist.
A note on staffing and leadership
Even the best ideas stall without a director who values them. Ask how administrators support preparing time for instructors to prepare music and movement sectors. Do they fund products yearly, not just as soon as? Do they bring in a trainer each year to revitalize skills? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that spending plans for ongoing training and builds rhythm into its curriculum map will weather personnel turnover much better. Connection is not luck; it is structured.
Finding the right 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 visit 3 to 5 sites. During each tour, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not hunting for a conservatory. You are looking for a location where music and motion make every day life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you discover a centre that speaks about music with the very same seriousness as literacy, take a review. If the instructors laugh quickly and join kids on the flooring, that is a good sign. If your child begins tapping a beat en route out the door, excited to come back, your search is already addressing 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):
https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=The+Learning+Circle+Childcare+Centre+-+South+Surrey+Campus,+12761+16+Ave,+Surrey,+BC+V4A+1N3
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.
