Doon, Kitchener
Early learning that starts outside.
We are a licensed, nature-anchored child care centre in Doon. Our preschoolers spend two hours outdoors most mornings, the Grand River trail runs close by, and the educator who learns your child's name in September is still here in June.
Licensed under Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act. CWELCC participating. Infant through age 12.
Our programs
One approach, from the first months to the school years
Under 18 months
Infant Care
One educator for every three babies, in a room built for sleep, feeding, and slow first discoveries. We keep the day close to your home rhythm.
18 to 30 months
Toddler Care
One educator for every five toddlers, in a room that expects movement, mess, and big feelings. This is where words and independence arrive.
2.5 to 4 years
Preschool
One educator for every eight preschoolers, in a room that gets children genuinely ready for kindergarten without turning four-year-olds into students.
4 to 12 years
Before & After School Care
Coverage on both ends of the school day, so your workday works. Mornings start calm, afternoons make room for homework, snack, and real play outside.
Ages 4 to 12, weekly
Summer Camp
A summer that happens mostly outdoors. Weekly themes, the Grand River trails on our doorstep, and children who come home tired, grubby, and full of stories.
Single days & full weeks
PA Day & March Break Camps
A day off school does not have to be a scramble. PA day camps and March Break run the same outdoor-first day, with full coverage from 7am to 6pm.
Why Doon
The outdoors here is not a field trip. It is the neighbourhood.
The Grand River corridor runs along Doon. Pioneer Tower has watched the river since 1926. Children who grow up here already know what a trail looks like in October. We build the day on that, instead of pretending learning starts at the classroom door.
How we are different
We say the real numbers, because the numbers are the point
Our preschool ratio is one educator for every eight children, because that is how many a single RECE can truly know by the end of September. We do not run thin and hope. Rooms are staffed to ratio before the first family walks in.
Every one of our educators is a Registered Early Childhood Educator. They stay for years, which is why the toddler who arrives in September is still with the same teacher in June.
Tuition, in the open
Full preschool days are $52 before CWELCC, about $22.50 after
We participate in CWELCC, so families with children under six pay a reduced daily rate. No euphemisms about cost. The math is on the table, and there is a calculator to run your own numbers.
Rates shown are confirmed at enrolment.
The first questions parents ask
Where exactly are you in Doon?
We are in the Doon neighbourhood of south Kitchener, close to the Grand River corridor and a short drive from Pioneer Tower and Conestoga College's Doon campus. The exact street address is confirmed when you book a tour.
What are your hours?
We are open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm. You can drop off any time in the morning and pick up before we close at 6pm.
Do you participate in CWELCC?
Yes. We participate in CWELCC, which lowers daily fees for children under six. The current reduced rate is on the Tuition and CWELCC page.
What ages do you take?
From infants under 18 months through school-age children up to 12, including before and after school care and camps. Every room runs at the ratio Ontario's CCEYA sets.
How do I get a spot?
Start with a free tour, then join the waitlist for your child's age group and target start date. There is no fee to be on the waitlist.
Come see it for yourself
The best way to know if we are right for your family is to walk through during a regular day. Your first visit is free.