Our Toddler Program

---

Toddlerhood is a remarkable time of discovery. During this stage, children learn about the world primarily through their senses—touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, moving, and listening. These early sensory experiences are far more than play; they form the foundation for language development, cognitive growth, motor skills, problem-solving, and social connection. Through rich, hands-on exploration, toddlers begin to make sense of their surroundings and build the skills that support lifelong learning.

Our Toddler Program is thoughtfully designed for children 18 to 30 months of age. With a maximum of 10 toddlers supported by two Educators, we provide a nurturing, responsive environment that allows each child to feel safe, seen, and supported as they grow.

At Ancaster Forest & Nature School, we believe deeply in the power of real-life, nature-based sensory experiences. Children engage in meaningful activities such as harvesting vegetables from the garden, measuring ingredients for shared snacks, and exploring acres of diverse forest. These experiences invite curiosity, independence, and a growing connection to the natural world.

Connecting children to nature means spending time outdoors in all seasons—rain, snow, and sunshine. Our days are guided by children’s interests and inquiries, creating a flexible, child-centred learning environment. Much of the day is spent outdoors exploring forest trails, seasonal wetlands, cold-water streams, and observing local plants and wildlife. When indoors, children are welcomed into warm, inviting spaces filled with developmentally appropriate, Canadian-made learning materials—an ideal place to rest, recharge, and reflect.

At Ancaster Forest & Nature School, we recognize the benefits of family-style dining extend beyond the table—it’s a holistic approach to mealtime that shapes the development of valuable life skills. All snacks and meals are provided by Real Food For Real Kids, who place an emphasis on using local and organic foods in their delicious meals. All snacks and lunches and are seamlessly included in our programs, ensuring a holistic and nourishing culinary experience for every child in our care. 

The foundations of best practices at Ancaster Forest & Nature School are underpinned by a robust framework informed by several research-based documents such as:   

• Forest and Nature School Canada: A Head, Heart, Hands Approach to Outdoor Learning (2014); 
• How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years (2014); 
• Early Learning for Every Child Today: A Framework for Ontario Early Childhood Settings (2007); 
• Think Feel Act Document: Lessons for research about young children (2013);
• Child Care and Early Years Act of Ontario (2014)

As the city of Hamilton is not entering any new child care agreements at this time, we are not able to participate in the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care program (CWELCC).