Preschool Near Me with Music and Motion Programs 39997
Parents typically browse "preschool near me" and then make a shortlist based upon location, hours, and rate. All useful, all required. Yet the programs inside the structure shape your child's days and, gradually, their practices of attention, confidence, and joy. Music and movement sit high on that list due to the fact that they construct more than rhythm. They support language, social abilities, motor preparation, and self-regulation. I have actually viewed shy young children find their voice through tapping sticks in time with a pal. I have actually seen four-year-olds link syllables to actions, then bring that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre treats music and movement as a day-to-day language, kids 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 unpleasant, genuine details you discover during a tour: the way a teacher redirects a wiggle into a stretch, the presence of child-sized instruments that really work, the noise of kids singing their clean-up routine. You will likewise find practical examples of schedules, questions to ask, and what separates a great program from a fantastic one. If you are thinking about a local daycare or a certified daycare that includes toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can assist you identify quality.
Why music and motion matter more than a "good additional"
Music is the only activity that illuminate almost every region of the brain, according to imaging studies that take a look at rhythm, pitch, language, and memory. In early childcare, that equates into faster vocabulary growth, much better phonological awareness, more powerful pattern recognition, and steadier emotional regulation. Movement connects it all together. Children under 5 find out with their whole bodies, not simply their ears and eyes. When you match rhythm with locomotion, you are writing finding out into the worried system.
I once 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 built a "march-in" regimen that began outside the room. He selected a drum, I selected a shaker, and we set a steady beat for 45 seconds before walking through the door. The beat kept us together, the movement burnt fixed, and we got here inside already controlled. Two weeks later he might join without the drum. His brain had found out a pace for transition.
Preschools that get this right are not simply adding a Friday singalong. They weave rhythm and motion across the day. Wash hands to a 20-second jingle. Count steps to the snack table. Use scarves to model syllables in kids's names. Balance on a line while reciting a rhyme. A strong early knowing centre develops these moments into regimens so children get day-to-day 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 work and fit little hands. Think eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Damaged tambourines pushed on a high rack signal token effort. Long lasting sets recommend planning and budget support.
- The space allows clear space for locomotor play. Teachers can slide shelves 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 participation. A teacher who sings off-key however completely permits for kids to try. Personnel clap the beat, mirror motions, and kneel to the child's height to cue turn-taking. A teacher with a guitar is great, but not required.
- Routines work on rhythm. Transitions consist of call-and-response chants. Clean-up uses a brief tune, always the very same, so kids anticipate the ending and shift efficiently. The tune is the schedule.
- Children develop as typically as they mimic. There is time totally free dance after a guided series. Kids make up two-beat patterns on the spot and schoolmates echo them. Improvisation constructs agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a large age range, you must see the exact same viewpoint adjusted for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Babies check out maracas during stomach time. Toddler care includes stop-and-go games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, basic characteristics, and cultural songs. An early child care group that comprehends advancement will show you how they differentiate 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 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 scarves and beanbags for kids who want to move while they settle.
Morning conference starts with a welcoming chant that includes each child's name and an easy motion: tap shoulder, clap, wave. That pattern folds social recognition into a rhythm, a small but effective bond. When a brand-new child signs up with, the class decides the gesture. Choice 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 observe how brush strokes alter. In blocks, 2 kids construct a bridge, then check how toy cars sound at various speeds. An instructor hums slow, then much faster, and they change. A lot of discovering occurs here: domino effect, tempo control, and detailed language.
Before treat, a two-minute motion break resets energy. This is not a benefit, it is hygiene for attention. The teacher cues a freeze dance with three levels of strength, then a final exhale. Heart rates sluggish, hands clean while children sing the hygiene tune, long enough for soap to work. This sequence conserves time later on because fewer pointers are needed.
Outdoors, you see genuine gross motor play. Not just running, but rhythm obstacles. Hop to the drum. Walk the chalk line heel to toe while chanting numbers to 20. Toss and capture a soft ball on a count of three, then switch hands. When weather condition keeps everybody inside, the early learning centre leans on a motion space with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to prevent chaos.
After lunch, rest time includes a constant playlist, constantly the same three tracks in the very same order. Predictability helps kids settle, and the cues inform 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 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 kids designate instruments to characters. For kids in after school care, the same technique shows up in club form: a drumming circle, a dance choreography group, or a songwriting laboratory that turns spelling words into verses. Continuity throughout ages builds a neighborhood of practice within the regional daycare.
What to ask on a trip, and how to read the answers
Families typically inquire about meals and nap, then leave without learning how the program deals with rhythm and movement. You can change that with a couple of targeted questions.
- How often do children participate in organized music and motion, and how is it integrated beyond a weekly class?
- What instruments and materials are readily available for free expedition, and how do you teach kids to take care of them?
- How do you utilize rhythm and movement to support shifts and self-regulation?
- Can you share an example of a child who gained from music and motion in a particular way, 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 routines, reveal you the instrument shelf, and name a child's progress is running a living program. Unclear statements about "great deals of singing" without examples suggest an add-on. Ask to observe a short sector. See instructor language. Do they state, "Utilize your strong beat hands," or "Stop that sound"? The first channels energy. The 2nd shuts finding out down.
If you are browsing "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some licensed daycare programs fulfill regulative boxes, but you are searching for intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for instance, built a schedule where every shift, from arrival to snack, has a coordinating balanced hint. That intentionality shows in the calm tone of the space. You desire that level of planning, whether you choose them or another strong program.
Development by age: what to look for from 12 months to 5 years
Infants and young toddlers require sensory-rich, low-pressure experiences. The best programs give them safe instruments, varied textures, and foreseeable tunes linked to care routines. Anticipate mild bouncing games that strengthen vestibular systems, vocal play that designs turn-taking, and short, repeated songs linked 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. Expect matching games, start-stop dances, and call-and-response chants. They can keep a beat for one to four counts and can copy a motion series of 2 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 becomes story. Educators can construct soundscapes for a storybook, appoint rhythms to characters, and let children choose how to move across a pretend river. This age begins to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Anticipate counting songs that climb into the teenagers and a concentrate on constant beat rather than complex syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can handle pattern variation, characteristics, and easy notation. You might see cards with symbols 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 reflect on the sensation of a piece. This is where a preschool near me can draw a straight line from rhythm to checking out fluency, from coordinated motion to better pencil grip.
Children with developmental distinctions benefit immensely when music and movement are tailored. Autistic children often love clear visual schedules and foreseeable songs. Children with motor hold-ups build strength and sequencing through scaffolded movement series. A good early learning centre will reveal you how they adjust. Ask to see visual supports and hear how they manage sound level of sensitivity, possibly through earbuds, a peaceful corner, or body socks for deep pressure.
Teacher skill makes or breaks it
A lovely instrument cart implies little if instructors feel unsure. Training matters. Look for staff who understand:
- How to set and keep a stable beat, and how to simplify when kids fall behind.
- How to layer instruction: very first design, then mirror, then let kids lead.
- How to utilize "musicalized" language to offer instructions: "Stroll on tiptoes with small 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 hint down-regulation.
- How to observe and adjust quickly, reducing segments or altering the meter to bring back engagement.
When a teacher respects those concepts, group management enhances. Less reminders, more involvement, less meltdowns. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an expected pattern, comforted by repeating, and challenged by variation at the ideal moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents sometimes fret that movement indicates threat. Licensed daycare programs manage threat with easy structures: clear flooring space, non-slip shoes, and guidelines expressed musically. "Sticks kiss the flooring, not our heads" shouted before the sticks come out. Tap zones on the flooring. Two-finger holds on scarves. Those guardrails keep the space safe without dulling the fun.
Check basic compliance. A licensed daycare must maintain instrument health, particularly for mouthed products. Egg shakers get cleaned after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and undamaged. Floorings are swept to avoid slips. If the program runs mixed ages, ask how they different materials by size to prevent choking hazards in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge extra for a specialist who goes to weekly. Others construct it into tuition. Both can work, however you desire the daily integration in addition to the unique. If a program only 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 many traditions without flattening them into novelty. Children discover a clapping game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin offered by a child's grandmother, and a powwow drum rhythm provided with context. Educators call the source and avoid costumes or accents that caricature. Households can contribute tunes, and the class learns them with care. Children absorb the message that lots of cultures bring rhythm and story, and that every household's music belongs.
I dealt with a centre where a daddy brought a dhol drum for Vaisakhi. He taught the children a basic bhangra action. For weeks afterward, the class utilized that step as a transition relocation. Every child knew the dad's name and greeted him with a tiny action when he arrived. That is community structure 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 catch growth: a child who holds a stable beat for eight counts by January, a child who finds out to freeze on hint, a child who initiates a turn as the leader. Those abilities tie to curricular objectives such as self-regulation, partnership, and emerging literacy.
Look for portfolios with short clips, pictures, and instructor reflections. Ask how often instructors share these with families. Some early knowing centres consist of a short "home link" where families try a chant throughout toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps regimens consistent across home and school.
A glance at area, noise, and sensory design
Sound quality influences habits. Spaces with soft materials take in echoes, making music pleasant instead of frustrating. Check for rugs, curtains, and wall panels. The very best areas consist of a peaceful corner where a child can listen from daycare services South Surrey the edge, not forced into the middle from the start. Headphones are a tool, not a crutch. They let a child participate at a tolerable volume until all set to participate full.
Visual cues assist group flow. Picture cards for start, stop, loud, soft, jump, tiptoe. A tempo dial drawn on cardboard that the leader moves. Kids learn to read the room, not simply follow the adult. 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 place motion breaks every 20 to 30 minutes for toddlers and every 30 to 45 minutes for preschoolers. Teachers tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play needs fewer breaks. Direct direction requires more and much shorter. After school take care of older children can include student-led clubs, basic recording tasks, or choreography that blends math patterns with dance formations. The thread is agency. Kids pick, create, and show, not just copy.
A regional daycare with restricted area can still provide. Short, frequent bursts and smart storage make a distinction. Instruments in identified bins, headscarfs clipped to a wall mount, 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 buy outside sound walls from recycled materials: metal lids, PVC chimes, wood blocks. Kids try out timbre and force. Educators cue security guidelines and let expedition run. Rainy-day versions 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 cues or boundaries. You might see instructors standing back and screaming suggestions instead of modeling. Instruments might be broken or hoarded for "weddings," which tells children these tools are fragile and uncommon. Another red flag is a rigid, performance-only frame of mind where kids practice a song for weeks only to impress families at a holiday program. Efficiency can be fun, however it should not replace everyday exploration.
Watch the transitions. If the class takes 10 minutes to line up and 3 kids weep daily, the program requires better balanced scaffolds. That is understandable, however it needs personnel training and management support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families typically ask what to do in the house that supports what they desire in school. Keep it easy and consistent.
- Create 2 or 3 brief tunes for everyday jobs: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Utilize the very same melody every time.
- Add a 90-second movement break in between homework or supper actions. Dive, sway, freeze, breathe.
- Keep a little basket with two instruments and one headscarf. Rotate products every few weeks to keep interest fresh.
None of this needs to be elegant. Your steady presence and willingness to be a little silly 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 sectors. Do they money products annually, not just when? Do they bring in a trainer each year to refresh skills? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that budgets for continuous training and develops rhythm into its curriculum map will weather personnel turnover much better. Continuity 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 three to 5 websites. Throughout each tour, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not hunting for a conservatory. You are searching for a place where music and movement make life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you discover a centre that discusses music with the same severity as literacy, take a second look. If the teachers laugh quickly and join kids on the flooring, that is a good indication. If your child starts tapping a beat on the way 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
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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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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.
