18 to 30 months
Toddler Care in Doon
One educator for every five toddlers, in a room that expects movement, mess, and big feelings. This is where words and independence arrive.
Our toddler room runs at a 1:5 ratio in a group of up to fifteen. Toddlers are not small preschoolers. They climb, they test, they melt down, and they learn faster than any other stage. The room is set up for all of it: low shelves, real tools, water and sand, space to move.
We spend real time outdoors every day. Toddlers in Doon get to use their bodies in the kind of natural space that a condo balcony cannot offer. They walk, they carry, they dig, and they come in tired in the best way.
What this program is, in practice
A 1:5 ratio
One educator for every five toddlers, the ratio the Act sets for this age. Enough hands for the spills, the climbs, and the comfort.
Outdoors every day
Toddlers need to move, and we get outside daily, weather permitting in proper gear, into real natural space near the Grand River corridor.
Language all day
We narrate, name, sing, and read. This is the room where vocabulary explodes, and we feed it with constant, real talk.
Toilet learning, with you
When your child shows readiness, we partner with you on toilet learning at your child's pace, never on a deadline.
A day in the toddler room
- 7amArrival, breakfast for early birds, and free play as the room fills.
- 9amMorning circle: songs, names, and what the day holds.
- Outdoor block. Walking, climbing, digging, and looking closely at the season.
- 11:30amLunch, served family-style so toddlers practise serving themselves.
- 12:30pmNap and rest.
- Afternoon play, art, and a second outdoor stretch when weather allows.
- 6pmPickup.
A rhythm, not a stopwatch. The room flexes to the children in it on any given day.
What to pack
- Two or three full changes of clothes
- Indoor shoes
- Outdoor gear for the season (we go out in most weather)
- Diapers or pull-ups and wipes if not yet toilet learning
- A comfort item for nap
- A labelled water bottle
Questions parents ask
What is the toddler ratio?
One educator for every five toddlers, in a group of up to fifteen. This is the ratio set by Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act for children 18 to 30 months.
Do you help with toilet learning?
Yes, when your child shows readiness and at your child's pace. We work with you so home and the centre stay consistent. We never push a child onto a schedule they are not ready for.
How much time do toddlers spend outside?
Outdoor time is part of every day, weather permitting and dressed for it. Toddlers do their best with movement and natural space, and Doon gives us plenty.
My toddler still naps. Is there a rest time?
Yes. There is a midday nap and rest period. Children who no longer sleep have a quiet rest with books and calm activities.
What if my toddler has a hard time with drop-off?
That is normal and we are good at it. We use consistent routines and the same familiar faces, and we will text or call if you want to know how the morning settled.
Is toddler care covered by CWELCC?
Yes. Toddler care is an under-six room, so the CWELCC reduction applies. See the Tuition and CWELCC page for the current rate.
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.