Rising Oaks St Brigid
RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Brigid opened its doors in January 2018 in the St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School in Ayr, Ontario. This centre offers highquality early learning and beforeandafter-school care programs for children from infancy through 12 years old. Located at 50 Broom Street, it operates from 630 am to 600 pm, providing consistent childcare aligned with educational values. RisingOaks St. Brigid has quickly become a trusted community resource, blending learning through play with strong partnerships in the Waterloo Region. What sets it apart is its integrated approach to development emotional, social, intellectual within a welcoming Catholic school environment.
Overview of RisingOaks St. Brigid
Mission and Beliefs
RisingOaks St. Brigid is part of the broader RisingOaks Early Learning network, one of the largest licensed and nonprofit childcare providers in Ontario. The philosophy centers on learning through play, where curiosity and discovery guide a child’s development. Respect, inclusion, and a sense of belonging underpin the centers’ approach. Educators support children from infancy through school-age, promoting holistic growth from the earliest years onward. contentReference[oaicite0]
Location and Facility
The centre is located within St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School in Ayr, creating a seamless environment between home school and childcare. This school-based setting fosters collaboration and ensures that program standards reflect both educational and childcare best practices. The facility serves children aged 3 months through 12 years with programs that cater to their developmental stage. contentReference[oaicite1]
Programs and Services Offered
Early Learning for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
RisingOaks St. Brigid supports developmental milestones through structured and unstructured activities. Learning is guided by play-based curriculum backed by observations and documentation. Educators utilize monthly learning stories to reflect on children’s interests and growth. These stories help shape projects and routines tailored to children’s emerging needs. contentReference[oaicite2]
BeforeandAfterSchool Care and Summer Camps
For children from junior kindergarten through grade 6 (up to 12 years old), the centre provides safe and enriching beforeandafterschool care. During school breaks and professional activity days, camps offer project-based learning, games, arts, and outdoor exploration. PA Day and camp programming accommodate families with flexible schedules. contentReference[oaicite3]
Meals, Snacks, and Accessibility
Nutrition is a priority; meals and snacks are balanced and support dietary diversity. Accessible services include fee subsidies under CWELCC ($10/day) and supports for special needs. Registration depends on the OneList system, which centralizes licensed childcare applications and financial assistance in the Waterloo Region. contentReference[oaicite4]
Philosophy and Pedagogical Approach
Play-Based Learning and Projects
RisingOaks emphasizes play as the heart of early learning. Educators follow a project approach planning based on children’s ideas, implementation, and reflection. Experiences like gardening workshops, art, mud play, and sensory exploration encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and self-regulation. Each activity connects to the children’s natural curiosity. contentReference[oaicite5]
Zones of Regulation and Emotional Development
A key focus of the curriculum is the Zones of Regulation a tool to help children identify, understand, and manage emotions and behaviours. These strategies are woven into both indoor and outdoor play to promote empathy, self-awareness, and social skills. contentReference[oaicite6]
Community Engagement and Partnerships
Integration with School Culture
Being housed within a Catholic elementary school allows deeper collaboration between educators and school staff, enhancing consistency in values and programming. The school advisory council, parents, and RisingOaks staff work together to support child development and community programs. This partnership reinforces shared goals across educational stages. contentReference[oaicite7]
Parent Communication and Support
Families receive frequent updates through parent portals, newsletters, and shared projects like learning stories and galleries. RisingOaks also offers drop-in tours, making it easy for parents to engage with programming, ask questions about availability, or arrange visits. contentReference[oaicite8]
Operational Highlights and Hours
- Open daily from 630 am to 600 pm to accommodate working families.
- Programs cover ages 3 months to 12 years, spanning infant to school-age care.
- Enrolment is managed via OneList, with options for fee subsidies and special needs supports.
- Qualified staff including RECElicensed supervisors, with low childtostaff ratios ensuring quality care. contentReference[oaicite9]
Benefits for Families and Children
Continuity and Convenience
Families benefit from literacy-rich, play-based childcare located within a familiar school setting. This continuity builds confidence as children transition from childcare into kindergarten and beyond.
Cultural and Emotional Safety
Centered around respect, equity, and belonging, RisingOaks welcomes diverse backgrounds and fosters inclusive environments. Emotional literacy tools like the Zones of Regulation support children in developing resilience and self-regulation. contentReference[oaicite10]
Focused Early Learning
Through carefully documented projects and tailored lesson planning, the centre cultivates critical thinking, movement, social skills, and executive functioning vital skills for school readiness and beyond.
Real Learning in Action
Monthly learning stories and project updates illustrate how classroom interests blossom into deep exploration. For example, toddlers might experiment with cardboard boxes as new movable structures, while preschoolers engage in planting or bug investigations each guided by educatorchild collaboration and reflective practice. contentReference[oaicite11]
RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Brigid is a leading example of a well-integrated early learning centre connected to a Catholic elementary school. Serving infants through schoolage children, it combines licensed childcare expertise with a playbased, inclusive curriculum. With strong community ties, structured programming, and a commitment to nurturing each child’s potential, it stands out as a reliable and enriching option for families in the Waterloo Region. RisingOaks St. Brigid supports holistic child development in a safe, respectful, and joyfilled environment.