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Children learning at Newstead Academy

Newstead Academy

Toddler Daycare in Angus Glen

Finding the right toddler daycare in Angus Glen is an important decision for families with children between 18 months and 2.5 years old. This stage brings significant changes in language, independence, movement, social interaction, and emotional development. A quality early learning environment needs to provide more than supervision. Toddlers benefit from consistent routines, responsive educators, opportunities to communicate, age-appropriate learning experiences, and an environment that encourages growing independence.

Newstead Academy provides early learning and child care for toddlers as part of its broader early childhood education programs. The Toddler Classroom is designed for children from 18 months to 2.5 years, providing a structured and supportive environment where children can develop foundational skills while becoming increasingly independent.

For families living in Angus Glen, Newstead Academy provides an early learning option that combines responsive care with educational experiences designed around children's developmental needs. The program incorporates elements of Reggio Emilia-inspired learning and inquiry, while also introducing foundational academic, communication, social, and independence skills.

Toddler Daycare Near Angus Glen for Early Learning

The toddler years are a period of rapid development. Children are becoming more confident walkers, expanding their vocabulary, learning to express preferences, and beginning to understand how their actions affect others.

At this age, children need an environment that supports these changes without expecting them to behave like preschool or kindergarten students. Newstead Academy's toddler program focuses on creating an environment where children can gradually develop independence while receiving consistent guidance and support from educators.

For families searching for toddler daycare near Angus Glen, important considerations include:

  • A safe and welcoming learning environment
  • Responsive and experienced educators
  • Consistent daily routines
  • Opportunities for language development
  • Age-appropriate sensory experiences
  • Social interaction with other children
  • Outdoor experiences
  • Development of self-care skills
  • Early exposure to literacy and numeracy concepts
  • Communication between educators and families

These elements help create a strong foundation for children's next stage of development.

Toddler Classroom for Children 18 Months to 2.5 Years

Newstead Academy's Toddler Classroom serves children from 18 months to 2.5 years. This age range represents an important transition between infancy and preschool.

Children are becoming increasingly independent, but they still require substantial support with routines, communication, self-care, emotional regulation, and daily transitions.

The classroom environment is designed with toddlers' developmental abilities in mind. Child-sized materials, visual learning cues, photographs, labels, group activities, story experiences, outdoor time, meals, snacks, and rest periods are incorporated into the daily environment.

The goal is to help children understand their environment and participate in daily routines with increasing confidence.

Children at Newstead Academy

Supporting the Transition from Infancy

For children entering toddler care after an infant program, the transition can involve significant changes. Children may need to adjust to new routines, new expectations, different classroom materials, and increased opportunities for independence.

Educators can support this transition by maintaining predictable routines and responding to each child's individual needs.

Children gradually learn to participate in activities such as:

  • Arriving and settling into the classroom
  • Following simple classroom routines
  • Participating in group activities
  • Cleaning up materials
  • Eating and drinking independently
  • Beginning self-care routines
  • Listening to stories
  • Exploring sensory materials
  • Spending time outdoors
  • Communicating needs and preferences

This gradual progression helps children become more comfortable with the expectations of a structured early learning environment.

Early Learning for Toddlers in Angus Glen

Toddler daycare should support development across multiple areas rather than focusing on one skill.

Newstead Academy's approach combines care and early education, giving toddlers opportunities to develop communication, cognitive, physical, social, and emotional skills throughout the day.

Language and Communication Development

Language development becomes particularly important during the toddler years.

Children are rapidly expanding their vocabulary and learning to communicate wants, needs, observations, and feelings. Everyday interactions with educators and peers provide opportunities for children to practice communication in meaningful situations.

Toddler learning experiences can encourage children to:

  • Listen to educators and peers
  • Follow simple instructions
  • Learn new vocabulary
  • Identify familiar objects
  • Express preferences
  • Ask questions
  • Respond to questions
  • Participate in songs and stories
  • Communicate their needs
  • Develop confidence when speaking

Story time and group discussions can also introduce children to new words and ideas while developing listening and attention skills.

Early Literacy Foundations

Formal reading instruction is not the focus of toddler education, but early literacy foundations can begin developing well before kindergarten.

Toddlers can develop important pre-literacy skills through exposure to books, stories, conversations, songs, symbols, pictures, and language-rich classroom experiences.

Educators can support children's early literacy development by encouraging them to:

  • Listen to stories
  • Look at and discuss pictures
  • Recognize familiar symbols and objects
  • Expand vocabulary
  • Listen carefully
  • Participate in group storytelling
  • Connect words with experiences

These experiences help establish foundational communication skills that can continue developing throughout preschool and kindergarten.

Children at Newstead Academy

Early Numeracy Development

Toddlers can also begin developing an understanding of basic mathematical concepts through everyday experiences.

Counting, sorting, comparing, identifying quantities, recognizing patterns, and discussing size or position can introduce children to early numeracy.

At this stage, learning can involve simple concepts such as:

  • More and less
  • Big and small
  • Same and different
  • Counting objects
  • Sorting materials
  • Recognizing simple patterns
  • Identifying shapes
  • Comparing quantities

These foundational experiences provide an early introduction to mathematical thinking.

Reggio Emilia-Inspired Learning for Toddlers

Newstead Academy incorporates Reggio Emilia-inspired learning into its educational approach. This perspective recognizes children as capable and curious learners and emphasizes the importance of the learning environment, exploration, communication, and children's interests.

For toddlers, this can mean creating opportunities to investigate their surroundings and explore materials while educators observe their interests and provide appropriate guidance.

The classroom environment can encourage:

  • Curiosity
  • Observation
  • Exploration
  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Independence
  • Collaboration
  • Problem-solving

Rather than expecting toddlers to master skills immediately, educators can provide repeated opportunities for children to practice and develop at their own pace.

Inquiry-Based Learning for Toddlers

Newstead Academy also incorporates an inquiry-based approach into early learning.

Inquiry encourages children to ask questions, explore ideas, make connections, and develop their own understanding of experiences.

For toddlers, inquiry does not need to involve complicated projects or formal questions. It can begin with simple observations.

A child may notice:

  • Why something feels different
  • What happens when materials are combined
  • Where an object belongs
  • How something moves
  • What changes outdoors
  • Why another child is using a particular material

Educators can respond by asking simple questions, introducing vocabulary, demonstrating possibilities, and allowing children to investigate.

This approach supports early curiosity and encourages children to become active participants in their learning.

Building Independence Through Toddler Daycare

One of the most important goals during the toddler years is developing independence.

Children between 18 months and 2.5 years often want to do things for themselves. A well-designed toddler classroom can provide appropriate opportunities for them to practice.

Examples include:

  • Putting belongings away
  • Choosing between appropriate options
  • Helping clean up
  • Participating in meal routines
  • Beginning self-care tasks
  • Following classroom routines
  • Carrying materials
  • Washing hands
  • Sitting during group activities

These experiences may appear simple, but they help children develop confidence and responsibility.

Independence also supports later classroom readiness. Children who have experience following routines and participating in everyday responsibilities can gradually become more comfortable with the expectations of preschool and kindergarten.

Social and Emotional Development

Toddlers are also beginning to develop more complex social relationships.

They are learning how to interact with peers, communicate emotions, take turns, share space, and respond to classroom expectations.

Educators can support children by helping them develop:

  • Empathy
  • Cooperation
  • Communication
  • Emotional awareness
  • Confidence
  • Resilience

Children may need adult support when navigating disagreements or strong emotions. Consistent guidance can help toddlers begin identifying their feelings and understanding how to communicate them appropriately.

These social and emotional foundations are important for future classroom experiences.

A Structured Daily Routine

Predictable routines are particularly valuable for toddlers.

Knowing what happens next can help children feel secure and understand the expectations of the classroom. Newstead Academy's toddler environment incorporates routines such as group time, stories, outdoor experiences, meals, snacks, and rest periods.

A typical day may include a combination of:

Arrival and Family Communication

Children arrive and transition into the classroom while educators communicate with families about relevant information for the day.

Morning Learning Experiences

The morning may include group activities, stories, exploration, sensory experiences, or other age-appropriate learning opportunities.

Outdoor Experiences

Outdoor time gives children opportunities to move, observe their surroundings, and experience changes in the natural environment.

Meals and Snacks

Meal and snack routines provide opportunities for children to develop independence while participating in predictable daily routines.

Rest and Nap Time

Toddlers require sufficient rest during the day. A predictable rest period provides time for children to recharge before afternoon learning experiences.

Afternoon Exploration

Afternoon activities can provide additional opportunities for communication, exploration, creativity, movement, and inquiry.

Departure and Family Communication

The day concludes with the transition home and communication between educators and families.

Sensory Exploration and Toddler Development

Sensory experiences are particularly relevant during the toddler years.

Young children naturally learn about their environment through seeing, touching, hearing, moving, and observing. Carefully selected sensory experiences can encourage children to investigate materials and describe what they notice.

Sensory exploration can support:

  • Vocabulary development
  • Observation
  • Fine motor development
  • Concentration
  • Problem-solving
  • Curiosity
  • Communication

Educators can introduce different textures, shapes, sounds, materials, and objects while encouraging children to observe and communicate their experiences.

Outdoor Learning Experiences

Outdoor experiences are another important part of early childhood learning.

Time outdoors gives toddlers opportunities to develop physical skills while experiencing nature and their surrounding environment.

Outdoor experiences can encourage:

  • Gross motor development
  • Balance and coordination
  • Environmental awareness
  • Observation
  • Curiosity
  • Physical confidence

Outdoor learning can also provide natural opportunities for inquiry. Children may observe weather, plants, insects, water, seasonal changes, and other features of the environment.

Preparing for the Preschool Years

For families choosing toddler daycare, it is useful to consider how the program supports the next stage of development.

Newstead Academy's program structure allows children to progress from the Toddler Classroom into the Preschool Classroom as they grow. The Preschool Classroom serves children from 2.5 to 4 years, providing increasingly structured learning experiences and opportunities for independence.

The toddler years can therefore establish important foundations for preschool, including:

  • Listening skills
  • Communication
  • Independence
  • Classroom routines
  • Social interaction
  • Attention
  • Self-care
  • Curiosity
  • Early literacy
  • Early numeracy

The objective is not to rush children into formal academics, but to help them develop the skills and confidence needed for increasingly structured learning.

Why Angus Glen Families May Consider Newstead Academy

Angus Glen is a family-oriented community in Markham, and families in the area often look for convenient access to quality early childhood education.

Newstead Academy's broader educational model combines early learning with academic readiness, inquiry, Reggio Emilia-inspired learning, social development, and leadership development.

For families considering toddler daycare near Angus Glen, relevant factors include:

An Education-Focused Environment

Newstead Academy approaches early childhood education as an important stage in a child's overall educational development.

Developmentally Appropriate Learning

Toddler learning experiences are designed around the developmental needs of children in the 18-month to 2.5-year age range.

Responsive Educators

Educators provide guidance and support while observing children's individual needs and development.

Strong Family Communication

Communication between educators and families helps maintain continuity between home and school.

A Continuum of Early Learning

Children can progress through infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten-age programs as they grow.

How to Choose a Toddler Daycare Near Angus Glen

When comparing toddler daycare options, families should consider more than location.

Consider the Age Range

Confirm that the program is designed specifically for toddlers and that your child's age fits the classroom's enrollment range.

Ask About Daily Routines

Ask how the day is structured, including meals, naps, outdoor time, group activities, and transitions.

Look at the Learning Environment

The classroom should provide age-appropriate materials and an environment where toddlers can move, explore, communicate, and develop independence.

Understand the Educational Approach

Ask how the centre approaches language development, early literacy, numeracy, social development, inquiry, and independence.

Consider Communication With Families

Regular communication can help parents understand how their child is progressing and make it easier to maintain consistent routines.

Think About the Next Stage

If your child will remain at the same centre for several years, consider how the program transitions from toddler to preschool and eventually kindergarten.

Find Toddler Daycare Near Angus Glen

For families searching for toddler daycare in Angus Glen, Newstead Academy offers an early learning environment for children ages 18 months to 2.5 years that combines responsive care, structured routines, inquiry, sensory exploration, communication development, social-emotional growth, and independence.

The toddler years establish important foundations for future learning. Choosing an environment that supports children through these developmental changes can help them become increasingly confident, capable, communicative, and prepared for their next stage of education.

Newstead Academy provides a continuum of early learning programs from infancy through kindergarten age, giving families the opportunity to plan for their child's educational journey as they grow.

Newstead Academy facility

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Land Acknowledgement

Newstead Academy is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.

Equity Statement

Newstead Academy is committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment. We encourage and actively seek applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized people, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, all genders, and persons with disabilities.