Early Childhood Education Overview

Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) Mission Statement & Philosophy
Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) Curriculum
Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) Daily Lesson Plan Sample
Early Childhood Education Centre (ECEC) Reggio Emilia Approach

Saint Margaret's Preschool Programme

In addition to the successful Junior Kindergarten programme, our exemplary preschool programme for three year olds has been expanded.

The ECE Programme has an enriched, exciting and educationally stimulating curriculum, supporting excellence in early childhood education through a deep understanding of the children’s different learning styles. With a high teacher to child ratio and small class size the programme is able to ensure that each child receives the support they need to grow creatively and academically.

"We have a unique Early Childhood Programme because we have based it on a foundation that reflects appropriate child development and supports contemporary research on young children,” says Susan Middlemiss, ECE Teacher.

The unique difference between St. Margaret’s ECE Programme and other early childhood programmes is that it is tailored to the learning strategies of girls. The all girl environment at SMS supports risk-taking, encourages academic achievement and fosters self-confidence.

The ECE Centre also includes a community outreach component, Leadership in Early Childhood Advocacy and Development (LEAD), offering workshops and presentations to parents, community members and other childcare providers focusing on early childhood research and issues. “Being a centre, we can take on these community networks and develop partnerships with the education and research community,” Middlemiss explains.

The ECE Programme supports the needs of families by offering both a half day programme that runs from 8:30 to 12, or a full day option.

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Susan Middlemiss, ECE Teacher, Wins Prime Minister's Award
Year: 2006
Certificate of Excellence Recipient
St. Margaret's School
Telephone: (250) 479-7171 (ext. 214)
Nominator: Cathy Mingo
Type of setting: Child care centre, preschool program

Philosophy of Care:
Uses a child-centred approach to implement a learning-through-play philosophy.

Support of Child Development:
Susan's students experience all aspects of learning through music, art play, science, dance, physical education, French, and social interactions, and she uses ORFF music development as an innovative teaching tool. Susan's classroom always provides a wide range of activities in all subject area with many opportunities for individual and partner play. Interaction with Parents, Family and the Community: Parents are always welcome visitors in her class, and she includes the parents in various activities throughout the year. Susan organizes inter-sectorial "roundtables," and these roundtables underscore her interest in consultative community work. Through the roundtables, she has made significant local contributions to the public discourse on the importance of early childhood education. Susan also successfully assisted in organizing and coordinating an interactive discussion forum in Ottawa with one of Canada' leading early child development researchers, Dr. Clyde Hertzman. She has received recognition from the BC Provincial Government ("Early Childhood Development in British Columbia: Enabling Communities", May 2002), and the Universities of British Columbia and Victoria for her outstanding contribution towards, and development of Early Childhood Development programs at the community level.

Rave Reviews:
"However, what is unique about her program when compared with most other preschool classrooms is the daily involvement with music. This musical enrichment not only focuses on singing but includes the exploration of all musical elements (pitch, rhythm, tonality, timbre, etc) using a variety of instruments and other sound sources, as well as exposure to musical styles, culture and formal composition, all done in a development appropriate manner." - Glen Dixon, Ed.D., Director, Child Study Centre, and Associate Professor, The University of British Columbia

“We watched as our daughter grew from a child who was initially uncomfortable in a large group, to a girl who could comfortably and with great enthusiasm recite a song in front of her peers, parents and staff at St. Margaret's School ... . Susan Middlemiss is a caring, intuitive teacher. Her dedication to her work is evident in her classroom setting and the young girls who flourish under her guidance and support." - Stephen Mingo, Parent

“The care and interest that Miss Middlemiss has for each child in her class is truly commendable. Every child is different and Miss Middlemiss was able to challenge everyone and include everyone in the process of the activities. "The attention to detail and the respect that Miss Middlemiss has for the girls, the parents and for her role as a teacher is incredible. Taylor was very lucky to have had Miss Middlemiss as her very first teacher as the environment that Miss Middlemiss created was safe, healthy and an incredible experience for everyone." - Cathy Noel, Parent and Chief Executive Officer, Go Bid

“Very early in the school year my daughter told Ms. Middlemiss about the "Park of Discovery", her name for our local park. The "Class of Discovery" came in to being almost immediately. Every day the children "discovered" something: the cafeteria, the North Gym, the Headmaster's office, a maple tree. Aside from teaching, these discoveries served to make the children comfortable in their school community. They became familiar with the grounds, with staff and with older students." - Jenni Bass, D.V.M., M.R.C.V.S