Preschool Near Me with Music and Motion Programs 76984
Parents typically search "preschool near me" and after that make a shortlist based on location, hours, and rate. All practical, all needed. Yet the programs inside the building shape your child's days and, gradually, their practices of attention, self-confidence, and happiness. Music and movement sit high on that list due to the fact that they develop more than rhythm. They support language, social abilities, motor preparation, and self-regulation. I have watched shy toddlers find their voice through tapping sticks in time with a good friend. I have seen four-year-olds link syllables to actions, then bring that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre treats music and motion as an everyday language, children bloom.
This guide will assist you assess preschools and early knowing centres through the lens of music and movement. It blends research-informed practice with the unpleasant, genuine information you notice during a trip: the method a teacher reroutes a wiggle into a stretch, the presence of child-sized instruments that really work, the sound of kids singing their clean-up regimen. You will also find practical examples of schedules, concerns to ask, and what separates an excellent program from a great one. If you are thinking about a regional daycare or a licensed daycare that consists of toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can assist you spot quality.
Why music and motion matter more than a "great additional"
Music is the only activity that lights up nearly every region of the brain, according to imaging research studies that look at rhythm, pitch, language, and memory. In early childcare, that equates into faster vocabulary development, better phonological awareness, stronger pattern acknowledgment, and steadier emotional regulation. Movement connects everything together. Kids under 5 learn with their whole bodies, not just their ears and eyes. When you pair rhythm with mobility, you are composing discovering into the anxious system.
I once dealt with a three-year-old who had a hard time to sit throughout circle time. He was quick to dart away, then melt down when asked to rejoin. We built a "march-in" regimen that began outside the space. He chose a drum, I picked a shaker, and we set a stable beat for 45 seconds before walking through the door. The beat kept us together, the movement burnt fixed, and we arrived inside already managed. 2 weeks later he might sign up with without the drum. His brain had actually found out 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. Use scarves to model syllables in children's names. Balance on a line while reciting a rhyme. A strong early knowing centre constructs these minutes into routines so children get everyday practice without feeling drilled.
What a robust program looks and sounds like
You can spot the distinction between a scripted "unique" and a living program within 5 minutes of entering a class. Here are the concrete signs.
- The instruments function and fit small hands. Think eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Damaged tambourines pushed on a high shelf signal token effort. Resilient sets recommend preparation and spending plan support.
- The room permits clear space for locomotor play. Educators can move shelves to open a dance lane. Tape lines on the flooring mean balance beams and paths. Recess alone does not count; indoor movement matters throughout rain or cold.
- Teachers model participation. An instructor who sings off-key however wholeheartedly gives permission for children to try. Personnel clap the beat, mirror movements, and kneel to the child's height to cue turn-taking. An instructor with a guitar is nice, however not required.
- Routines work on rhythm. Shifts consist of call-and-response chants. Clean-up utilizes a brief tune, always the same, so kids expect the ending and shift smoothly. The tune is the schedule.
- Children produce as typically as they imitate. There is time totally free dance after an assisted sequence. Children make up two-beat patterns on the area and schoolmates echo them. Improvisation builds agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a wide age range, you must see the very same philosophy adapted for infants, young children, and preschoolers. Babies explore maracas throughout tummy time. Toddler care includes stop-and-go games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, fundamental characteristics, and cultural tunes. An early child care team that comprehends 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 treats music and movement as a core. The day begins 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 shelf: a basket of scarves and beanbags for kids who wish to move while they settle.
Morning meeting begins with a welcoming chant that includes each child's name and a basic motion: tap shoulder, clap, wave. That pattern folds social acknowledgment into a rhythm, a little but powerful bond. When a brand-new child joins, the class chooses the gesture. Choice keeps the ritual fresh.
Centers open. In the art corner, kids paint to a piece in triple meter, then change to a steady duple beat. They notice how brush strokes alter. In blocks, 2 kids develop a bridge, then evaluate how toy vehicles sound at various speeds. An instructor hums sluggish, then faster, and they adjust. A lot of finding out takes place here: domino effect, pace control, and descriptive language.
Before snack, a two-minute motion break resets energy. This is not a benefit, it is health for attention. The instructor hints a freeze dance with 3 levels of intensity, then a last exhale. Heart rates sluggish, hands wash while kids sing the hygiene tune, enough time for soap to work. This series saves time later on because less reminders are needed.
Outdoors, you see real gross motor play. Not just running, but rhythm difficulties. Hop to the drum. Walk 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 everybody inside, the early knowing centre leans on a motion space with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to prevent chaos.
After lunch, rest time includes a consistent playlist, always the exact same three tracks in the very same order. Predictability assists children settle, and the cues tell their bodies what to do. Kids who do not sleep can use earphones and listen to critical music while "drawing what they hear." That outlet appreciates differences 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 children 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. Continuity throughout ages constructs a neighborhood of practice within the local daycare.
What to ask on a tour, and how to check out the answers
Families frequently inquire about meals and nap, then leave without finding out how the program handles rhythm and movement. You can alter that with a few targeted questions.
- How typically do children participate in planned music and motion, and how is it incorporated beyond a weekly class?
- What instruments and materials are available for free expedition, and how do you teach kids to look after them?
- How do you use rhythm and movement to support shifts and self-regulation?
- Can you share an example of a child who benefited from music and movement in a particular method, and what you changed in response?
- How do you adjust for children with sensory sensitivities or movement differences?
Listen for specifics. A director who can point to day-to-day regimens, show you the instrument rack, and name a child's progress is running a living program. Unclear statements about "lots of singing" without examples suggest an add-on. Ask to observe a brief section. View instructor language. Do they state, "Utilize your strong beat hands," or "Stop that noise"? The first channels energy. The 2nd shuts learning down.
If you are browsing "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some certified daycare programs fulfill regulative boxes, however you are trying to find intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for example, built a schedule where every transition, from arrival to treat, has a matching balanced hint. That intentionality shows in the calm tone of the room. You want that level of preparation, whether you choose them or another strong program.
Development by age: what to search for from 12 months to 5 years
Infants and young toddlers require sensory-rich, low-pressure experiences. The very best programs give them safe instruments, varied textures, and predictable songs connected to care regimens. Expect gentle bouncing games that enhance vestibular systems, singing play that designs turn-taking, and short, repeated songs connected to diapering and feeding. The objective is bonding and sensory organization, not performance.
Older young children are ready for easy rhythm patterns and stop-go control. Expect 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 need to use clear visual cues, avoid long explanations, and keep bursts short: 60 to 120 seconds, then switch.
Three-year-olds love role-play and pretend. Music becomes story. Teachers can develop soundscapes for a storybook, assign rhythms to characters, and let kids choose how to cross a pretend river. This age starts to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Expect counting tunes that climb into the teenagers and a concentrate on constant beat instead of intricate syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can manage pattern variation, dynamics, and simple notation. You might see cards with signs for loud and soft, quick and slow, and children 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 early child care programs fluency, from collaborated motion to much better pencil grip.
Children with developmental distinctions benefit tremendously when music and movement are tailored. Autistic kids typically love clear visual schedules and foreseeable tunes. Children with motor hold-ups construct strength and sequencing through scaffolded motion series. A good early knowing centre will reveal you how they adjust. Ask to see visual supports and hear how they deal with sound sensitivity, possibly through earbuds, a quiet corner, or body socks for deep pressure.
Teacher skill makes or breaks it
A stunning instrument cart suggests little if instructors feel uncertain. Training matters. Try to find personnel who comprehend:
- How to set and keep a steady beat, and how to streamline when kids fall behind.
- How to layer guideline: first model, then mirror, then let children lead.
- How to use "musicalized" language to give instructions: "Stroll on tiptoes with tiny mouse actions to the blue square."
- How to handle volume and enjoyment without shaming. Teachers can lower their own voice and slow the tempo to hint down-regulation.
- How to observe and adapt quickly, shortening sections or altering the meter to restore engagement.
When a teacher respects those principles, group management enhances. Fewer suggestions, more involvement, fewer crises. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an expected pattern, comforted by repetition, and challenged by variation at the ideal moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents often stress that motion indicates threat. Certified daycare programs manage threat with easy structures: clear flooring space, 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 hangs on headscarfs. Those guardrails keep the space safe without dulling the fun.
Check basic compliance. A licensed daycare should preserve instrument health, especially for mouthed items. Egg shakers get cleaned after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and intact. Floors are swept to prevent slips. If the program runs combined ages, ask how they separate products by size to prevent choking risks in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge additional for an expert who checks out weekly. Others develop it into tuition. Both can work, but you desire the daily combination in addition to the unique. If a program just offers a 30-minute class once a week, ask how instructors extend styles throughout the week.
Cultural breadth and respect
Music is identity. A strong program draws from lots of customs without flattening them into novelty. Children find out a clapping video game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin provided by a child's granny, and a powwow drum rhythm presented with context. Educators call the source and prevent costumes or accents that caricature. Families can contribute tunes, and the class discovers them with care. Kids take in the message that lots of cultures carry rhythm and story, and that every family's music belongs.
I worked with a centre where a dad brought a dhol drum for Vaisakhi. He taught the children a basic bhangra action. For weeks afterward, the class utilized that action as a shift move. Every child understood the daddy's name and greeted him with a mini step when he arrived. That is community structure through rhythm.
How programs determine development without turning it into testing
You will not see a formal music test taped to the wall in a high-quality program. You will see instructor notes and videos that catch growth: a child who holds a stable beat for eight counts by January, a child who discovers to freeze on cue, a child who starts a turn as the leader. Those skills connect to curricular objectives such as self-regulation, cooperation, and emerging literacy.
Look for portfolios with quick clips, pictures, and teacher reflections. Ask how typically teachers share these with households. Some early knowing centres include a brief "home link" where households attempt a chant during toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps routines constant throughout home and school.
A peek at area, sound, and sensory design
Sound quality affects habits. Rooms with soft products take in echoes, making music pleasant rather than overwhelming. Check for carpets, drapes, and wall panels. The best spaces 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 take part at a bearable volume until all set to participate full.
Visual cues assist group circulation. Picture cards for start, stop, loud, soft, jump, tiptoe. A tempo dial made use of cardboard that the leader relocations. Children find out to read the room, not just follow the grownup. That is early executive function, and it grows day by day.
What this appears like across program types
A childcare centre serving infants through preschool can place motion breaks every 20 to thirty minutes for young children and every 30 to 45 minutes for preschoolers. Teachers tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play requires less breaks. Direct direction needs more and shorter. After school take care of older kids can involve student-led clubs, basic recording projects, or choreography that blends math patterns with dance formations. The thread is firm. Kids pick, produce, and reflect, not simply copy.
A regional daycare with limited space can still provide. Short, regular bursts and clever storage make a difference. Instruments in labeled bins, scarves clipped to a wall mount, a collapsible mat that becomes a safe tumbling zone, tape lines that vanish under tables when not in use. Imagination beats square footage.
A preschool near me with bigger grounds can invest in outside sound walls from recycled products: metal covers, daycare centre services PVC chimes, wood blocks. Children try out tone and force. Educators hint safety guidelines and let exploration run. Rainy-day variations come inside on pegboards.
Red flags to see during a visit
If music and movement are an afterthought, it shows. You may hear a chaotic, loud free-for-all labeled as "dance time" without any cues or boundaries. You might see instructors standing back and shouting tips instead of modeling. Instruments may be broken or hoarded for "weddings," which tells children these tools are delicate and rare. Another red flag is a rigid, performance-only frame of mind where children practice a tune for weeks just to impress households at a holiday show. Performance can be fun, however it should not replace everyday exploration.
Watch the transitions. If the class takes ten minutes to line up and three children cry daily, the program requires much better balanced scaffolds. That is solvable, however it needs staff training and leadership support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families frequently ask what to do at home that supports what they desire in school. Keep it easy and consistent.
- Create two or three brief tunes for daily tasks: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Utilize the very same tune every time.
- Add a 90-second motion break between research or supper steps. Dive, 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 needs to be fancy. Your stable presence and desire 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 segments. Do they money materials every year, not simply as soon as? Do they generate a trainer each year to revitalize abilities? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that budget plans for ongoing training and develops rhythm into its curriculum map will weather staff turnover better. Continuity 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 overwhelming. Start with distance, hours, and whether the program is a licensed daycare. Then check out 3 to five websites. Throughout each trip, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not searching for a conservatory. You are searching for a place where music and motion make daily life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you discover a centre that speaks about music with the very same severity as literacy, take a review. If the instructors laugh easily and sign up with kids on the flooring, that is a great indication. If your child begins tapping a beat on the way out the door, eager 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.
