Early Childhood Programs
Our early childhood programs are set in a beautiful home-like environment where a child’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder can be fostered. Through indoor and outdoor free play, meaningful work (setting tables, sweeping, baking bread, gardening), storytelling and singing songs, children experience their day nurtured by their caregivers with developmentally based activities. In an environment free from the distractions of technological teaching tools, we offer child care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, as well as before & after school-age care.
Child Care
Infant Care
Our youngest children are cared for in our lovely Honeysuckle Room. With east windows facing our Community Garden, the room is filled with natural light. Calming home-like features allow the educators to take care in meeting the individual needs of each infant as they navigate the day together. The children experience an indoor environment with soothing wooden and cloth toys and explore the natural world outside in their own play yard.
Child Care
Toddler Care
Our Sweet Pea Room is filled with the joy of developing toddlers. In a continuation of calming sensory experiences, the curious toddler continues to explore their natural world both indoors and outside. This room has ample space for toddlers to follow their curiosity while navigating their peers. Outside they are honoured in their senses as they follow a butterfly, or notice a budding flower that was not present the day before.
Child Care
Preschool Age
The preschool-aged child is met with enthusiasm in our Marigold and Dandelion Rooms. The play continues to develop in this age group while the rhythms that have been set since our Honeysuckle Room hold a calm strength for the group.
Child Care
Before & After School Age
The students of Okanagan Waldorf School, which shares the campus with the Early Years Centre, meet in the Sunflower Room for before & after school care. This program offers a peaceful start and end to the school day as the children are able to engage in a healthy mix of outdoor exploration and indoor creative play.
Joyful Beginnings
Our Joyful Beginnings Parent & Child Program, for birth to 18 months, is held with the wonderful Ms. Katie and offers a gentle, home-like introduction to our Waldorf Early Years community.
We are planning to begin our Fall 2026 Session on Tuesday, September 15th, with gatherings held Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m.– 1:00 p.m. We will offer Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions throughout the year, with session fees to be confirmed shortly.
Young children are given space for unhurried free play and exploration, while caregivers are invited to slow down, observe, and connect. Each gathering follows a nourishing rhythm of songs, simple stories, seasonal gestures, and shared conversation around early childhood and Waldorf principles.
It is a lovely opportunity to spend meaningful time together, meet other families, and become more connected with the rhythms and community of the Early Years Centre.
A few details about the program:
- Age & Participation: Designed for children Under 18 months
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 11:30 – 1:00
Parent and Child Forest Playgroup
Our Parent & Child Forest Program, for children ages 18 months–3.5 years, offers mornings filled with nature, creativity, warmth, and wonder. Our time together is designed to nurture connection, wonder, creativity, and a love of nature, while giving parents the opportunity to meet and build community with other families.
Together, our morning rhythm will include:
- Forest play: exploring nature, climbing, discovering, and enjoying the changing seasons.
- Baking bread together: little hands can knead, shape, and experience the joy of making something from scratch, before enjoying our fresh-baked bread together.
- Waldorf classroom play: a warm space filled with natural materials and simple toys that invite open-ended play, imagination, and meaningful everyday activities.
We will gather through songs, stories, and seasonal rhythms, creating a warm and predictable experience for both children and parents. Come slow down, play, explore, and share in the magic of these early years together.
A few details about the program:
- Age & Participation: Designed for children 18 months–3.5 years. Younger siblings are welcome to attend alongside you.
- Day: Tuesdays
- Time: 8:45–11:15 a.m.
Buttercup Outdoor Drop-Off Preschool
This program is for children 3-5 years and starts the week after Okanagan Waldorf School Grades programs start in September. Children will experience the wonder of Waldorf early childhood programming while exploring our 30-acre Bridge Land for Learning Campus.
The program will be entirely outdoors, except in extreme weather.
Meet Our Educators
Inspiring children to excel!
Application Process
To begin the application process, please click here to complete the Application of Interest. This will migrate your information onto our waitlist. When a space opens up, you will then be contacted by our EYC admissions office. For further information, please contact info@bridgeeducational.org or (250) 547-9212.
Application Review
Only applications with all of the required documentation will be reviewed.
Fee Schedule
Choosing a child care provider for your child and your family is a decision that requires much consideration, on both philosophical and financial levels. As a non-profit organization, we endeavor to keep our fees as low as possible.
Childcare Monthly Rates
Infant Toddler Full-Day Rates & Hours
Hours:
7:30 am – 5:30 pm
| 5 days per week |
$200 |
| 3 days per week |
$120 |
| 2 days per week |
$80 |
Three – Five Full Day Rates & Hours
Hours:
7:30 am – 5:30 pm
| 5 days per week |
$200 |
| 3 days per week |
$120 |
| 2 days per week |
$80 |
Preschool Rates
Parent Participation Programs
Joyful Beginnings – 10 week session |
$200.00 |
Parent & Tot Forest Playgroup – 10 week session |
$275.00 |
Preschool
Buttercup Outdoor Drop-Off Preschool |
$56 / Month |
School Age Care Monthly Rates
1 Child
| 5 days per week |
– |
$140.00 |
| 3 days per week |
– |
$84.00 |
| 2 days per week |
– |
$56.00 |
2 Children
| 5 days per week |
– |
$280.00 |
| 3 days per week |
– |
$168.00 |
| 2 days per week |
– |
$112.00 |
Affordable Child Care Benefit (previously Child Care Subsidy)
Our licensed programs are also eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit. This benefit is applied through the BC Government website at Affordable Child Care Benefit – Province of British Columbia by the guardian parent and forms are available through our office.
Withdrawal Procedures, Refunds
In the event you wish to withdraw from the Early Years Centre, thirty (30) days written notice must come by the first (1st) of the month, to signify a withdrawal for the end of that same month. Without this one (1) month’s written notice, you will still be responsible for one (1) month more of tuition for your child(ren). All withdrawal notices must be emailed to accounts@bridgeeducational.org and info@bridgeeducational.org by the first (1st) of the month prior to the anticipated month of withdrawal.
Yearly Society membership fees, registration fees, and application fees are non-refundable and will not be prorated back to the family if the child is withdrawn.
Yearly Child Care Tax Receipts
Child Care receipts for the Early Years Centre are issued with each payment (monthly) and a summary is only available upon request. Please allow 5 business days for any tax summary request to be processed. This is an additional task for our business office and we ask that you attempt to keep your monthly payment receipts for your year-end records.
Fundraising/Community Involvement Commitments
Each family’s involvement is expected in order to support your child’s child care environment. Families are required to fulfil a minimum of three mandatory time and financial commitments that support the child care program fundraising and organizational goals. Details of the options within the three commitments are outlined in the Family Guidebook.