Preschool Near Me with Music and Movement Programs
Parents often browse "preschool near me" and then make a shortlist based on location, hours, and price. All practical, all essential. Yet the programs inside the building shape your child's days and, over time, their habits of attention, confidence, and delight. Music and movement sit high on that list because they build more than rhythm. They support language, social skills, motor preparation, and self-regulation. I have enjoyed shy young children discover their voice through tapping sticks in time with a buddy. I have actually seen four-year-olds link syllables to actions, then bring that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre deals with music and motion as a daily language, children bloom.
This guide will help you assess preschools and early knowing centres through the lens of music and motion. It mixes research-informed practice with the messy, real details you see throughout a trip: the way an instructor redirects a wiggle into a stretch, the presence of child-sized instruments that in fact work, the sound of kids singing their clean-up routine. You will also find useful examples of schedules, questions to ask, and what separates a great program from a terrific one. If you are considering a regional daycare or a licensed daycare that includes toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can assist you identify quality.
Why music and motion matter more than a "nice extra"
Music is the only activity that illuminate almost every region of the brain, according to imaging research studies that look at rhythm, pitch, language, and memory. In early child care, that translates into faster vocabulary development, better phonological awareness, stronger pattern acknowledgment, and steadier psychological regulation. Movement connects it all together. Kids under 5 find out with their whole bodies, not simply their ears and eyes. When you combine rhythm with locomotion, you are writing finding out into the worried system.
I once dealt with a three-year-old who had a hard time to sit throughout circle time. He fasted to dart away, then melt down when asked to rejoin. We developed a "march-in" routine that started outside the space. He chose a drum, I chose a shaker, and we set a consistent beat for 45 seconds before strolling through the door. The beat kept us together, the motion burned off static, and we showed up inside already regulated. Two weeks later on he might sign up with without the drum. His brain had learned a tempo for transition.
Preschools that get this right are not merely including early learning centre for toddlers a Friday singalong. They weave rhythm and movement across the day. Wash hands to a 20-second jingle. Count steps to the treat table. Use scarves to model syllables in children's names. Balance on a line while reciting a rhyme. A daycare facilities South Surrey strong early learning centre develops these moments into routines so children get everyday practice without feeling drilled.
What a robust program looks and sounds like
You can identify the difference between a scripted "unique" and a living program within five minutes of stepping into a classroom. Here are the tangible signs.
- The instruments work and fit small hands. Believe eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Broken tambourines pushed on a high rack signal token effort. Resilient sets recommend planning and spending plan support. The space enables clear area for locomotor play. Teachers can slide shelves to open a dance lane. Tape lines on the floor hint at balance beams and pathways. Recess alone does not count; indoor movement matters during rain or cold. Teachers model involvement. A teacher who sings off-key but totally allows for kids to try. Personnel clap the beat, mirror movements, and kneel to the child's height to hint turn-taking. An instructor with a guitar is great, however not required. Routines operate on rhythm. Transitions include call-and-response chants. Clean-up utilizes a short song, always the same, so kids prepare for the ending and shift smoothly. The melody is the schedule. Children develop as typically as they mimic. There is time for free dance after a guided series. Kids compose two-beat patterns on the area and schoolmates echo them. Improvisation builds agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a broad age range, you ought to see the very same philosophy adapted for infants, young children, and preschoolers. Infants explore maracas during belly time. Toddler care consists of stop-and-go games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, basic characteristics, and cultural tunes. An early childcare team that understands advancement will reveal you how they distinguish without overcomplicating.
Anatomy of a day with music and movement woven through
Picture a weekday at a childcare centre near me that treats music and motion as a core. The day begins with arrivals and soft background music at about 60 to 80 beats per minute. The tempo matters. Mild beats lower heart rate and ease separation. On the shelf: a basket of scarves and beanbags for kids who wish to move while they settle.
Morning conference begins with a welcoming chant that consists of each child's name and an easy movement: tap shoulder, clap, wave. That pattern folds social recognition into a rhythm, a small but powerful bond. When a brand-new child signs up with, the class chooses the gesture. Option keeps the routine fresh.
Centers open. In the art corner, kids paint to a piece in triple meter, then change to a consistent duple beat. They see how brush strokes change. In blocks, two kids build a bridge, then test how toy cars and trucks sound at different speeds. A teacher hums sluggish, then quicker, and they adjust. A lot of learning takes place here: cause and effect, tempo control, and descriptive language.
Before snack, a two-minute motion break resets energy. This is not a benefit, it is hygiene for attention. The teacher hints a freeze dance with 3 levels of strength, then a last exhale. Heart rates slow, hands wash while kids sing the hygiene tune, long enough for soap to work. This series conserves time later because fewer pointers are needed.
Outdoors, you see genuine gross motor play. Not simply running, however rhythm obstacles. Hop to the drum. Walk the chalk line heel to toe while chanting numbers to 20. Toss and capture a soft ball on a count of three, then switch hands. When weather condition keeps everybody inside, the early learning centre leans on a movement room with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to prevent chaos.
After lunch, rest time consists of a consistent playlist, constantly the same three tracks in the same order. Predictability helps kids settle, and the cues tell their bodies what to do. Kids who do not sleep can use headphones and listen to critical music while "drawing what they hear." That outlet appreciates distinctions without turning rest into a power struggle.
The afternoon brings a short music circle. One day it is world instruments. Another day it is story soundscapes where kids designate instruments to characters. For kids in after school care, the very same technique shows up in club kind: a drumming circle, a dance choreography group, or a songwriting laboratory that turns spelling words into verses. Continuity throughout ages builds a community of practice within the local daycare.
What to ask on a tour, and how to read the answers
Families often inquire about meals and nap, then leave without discovering how the program manages rhythm and movement. You can change that with a couple of targeted questions.
- How frequently do kids take part in organized music and movement, and how is it incorporated beyond a weekly class? What instruments and materials are offered totally free expedition, and how do you teach kids to take care of them? How do you utilize rhythm and movement to support shifts and self-regulation? Can you share an example of a child who benefited from music and motion in a specific method, and what you altered in response? How do you adjust for kids with sensory sensitivities or movement differences?
Listen for specifics. A director who can indicate day-to-day regimens, show daycare close to me you the instrument shelf, and call a child's progress is running a living program. Vague declarations about "great deals affordable childcare centre of singing" without examples recommend an add-on. Ask to observe a short segment. Watch teacher language. Do they state, "Utilize your strong beat hands," or "Stop that noise"? The very first channels energy. The 2nd shuts discovering down.
If you are searching "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some licensed daycare programs satisfy regulative boxes, however you are looking for intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for instance, built a schedule where every transition, from arrival to treat, has a matching rhythmic cue. That intentionality displays in the calm tone of the space. You want that level of planning, whether you pick them or another strong program.
Development by age: what to search for from 12 months to 5 years
Infants and young toddlers require sensory-rich, low-pressure experiences. The best programs give them safe instruments, differed textures, and foreseeable songs linked to care routines. Anticipate gentle bouncing games that enhance vestibular systems, vocal play that designs turn-taking, and short, duplicated songs linked to diapering and feeding. The goal is bonding and sensory company, not performance.
Older young children are prepared for basic rhythm patterns and stop-go control. Anticipate mirroring video games, start-stop dances, and call-and-response chants. They can keep a beat for one to 4 counts and can copy a motion sequence of two actions. Teachers must offer clear visual cues, prevent long descriptions, and keep bursts brief: 60 to 120 seconds, then switch.
Three-year-olds love role-play and pretend. Music becomes story. Educators can construct soundscapes for a storybook, designate rhythms to characters, and let children pick how to move across a pretend river. This age starts to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Expect counting songs that climb up into the teenagers and a concentrate on consistent beat rather than complicated syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can manage pattern variation, dynamics, and simple notation. You may see cards with symbols for loud and soft, quick and sluggish, and children making up a four-card expression to perform with sticks. They can partner dance, switch leaders, and reflect on the feeling of a piece. This is where a preschool near me can draw a straight line from rhythm to checking out fluency, from coordinated motion to better pencil grip.
Children with developmental distinctions benefit immensely when music and motion are tailored. Autistic kids frequently love clear visual schedules and predictable tunes. Children with motor hold-ups construct strength and sequencing through scaffolded movement series. A great early knowing centre will show you how they adapt. Ask to see visual assistances and hear how they manage sound sensitivity, perhaps through earbuds, a quiet corner, or body socks for deep pressure.
Teacher skill makes or breaks it
A gorgeous instrument cart implies little if teachers feel unsure. Training matters. Look for staff who comprehend:
- How to set and keep a steady beat, and how to streamline when kids fall behind. How to layer instruction: first design, then mirror, then let children lead. How to use "musicalized" language to give instructions: "Stroll on tiptoes with tiny mouse actions to the blue square." How to handle volume and enjoyment without shaming. Teachers can reduce their own voice and slow the tempo to hint down-regulation. How to observe and adapt quickly, shortening sections or changing the meter to restore engagement.
When an instructor appreciates those concepts, group management enhances. Fewer pointers, more involvement, fewer meltdowns. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an anticipated pattern, comforted by repeating, and challenged by variation at the right moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents sometimes fret that movement suggests risk. Certified daycare programs handle risk with easy structures: clear flooring area, non-slip shoes, and guidelines revealed musically. "Sticks kiss the flooring, not our heads" shouted before the sticks come out. Tap zones on the flooring. Two-finger hangs on headscarfs. Those guardrails keep the space safe without dulling the fun.
Check basic compliance. A certified daycare ought to keep instrument health, specifically for mouthed items. Egg shakers get wiped after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and undamaged. Floors are swept to prevent slips. If the program runs blended ages, ask how they different products by size to prevent choking risks in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge extra for a professional who visits weekly. Others develop it into tuition. Both can work, but you want the day-to-day combination in addition to the unique. If a program just offers a 30-minute class once a week, ask how teachers extend styles throughout the week.
Cultural breadth and respect
Music is identity. A strong program draws from many traditions without flattening them into novelty. Children learn a clapping game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin used by a child's granny, and a powwow drum rhythm presented with context. Teachers name the source and prevent costumes or accents that caricature. Households can contribute tunes, and the class discovers them with care. Kids take in the message that lots of cultures carry rhythm and story, which every household's music belongs.
I worked with a centre where a father brought a dhol drum for Vaisakhi. He taught the children a standard bhangra step. For weeks afterward, the class used that action as a shift relocation. Every child knew the daddy's name and welcomed him with a mini action when he arrived. That is community structure through rhythm.
How programs determine development without turning it into testing
You will not see a formal music test taped to the wall in a premium program. You will see instructor notes and videos that capture growth: a child who holds a constant beat for 8 counts by January, a child who learns to freeze on hint, a child who initiates a turn as the leader. Those abilities tie to curricular objectives such as self-regulation, cooperation, and emergent literacy.
Look for portfolios with brief clips, images, and teacher reflections. Ask how often instructors share these with families. Some early learning centres include a brief "home link" where households try a chant during toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps regimens consistent across home and school.
A peek at space, sound, and sensory design
Sound quality affects habits. Spaces with soft products soak up echoes, making music pleasant instead of frustrating. Look for rugs, drapes, and wall panels. The best spaces include a peaceful corner where a child can listen from the edge, not pushed into the middle from the start. Earphones are a tool, not a crutch. They let a child participate at a bearable volume till all set to participate full.
Visual cues guide group flow. Picture cards for start, stop, loud, soft, jump, tiptoe. A tempo dial made use of cardboard that the leader moves. Children discover to read the space, not simply comply with the grownup. That is early executive function, and it grows day by day.
What this appears like across program types
A childcare centre serving infants through preschool can place motion breaks every 20 to thirty minutes for young children and every 30 to 45 minutes for preschoolers. Educators tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play requires fewer breaks. Direct guideline needs more and shorter. After school look after older children can involve student-led clubs, basic recording jobs, or choreography that blends mathematics patterns with dance developments. The thread is agency. Kids choose, develop, and show, not simply copy.
A local daycare with restricted area can still deliver. Short, frequent bursts and wise storage make a distinction. Instruments in identified bins, headscarfs clipped to a hanger, a collapsible mat that ends up being a safe tumbling zone, tape lines that disappear under tables when not in use. Imagination beats square footage.
A preschool near me with larger premises can invest in outdoor sound walls from recycled products: metal covers, PVC chimes, wood blocks. Children try out tone and force. Teachers hint security rules and let expedition run. Rainy-day variations come inside on pegboards.
Red flags to see throughout a visit
If music and movement are an afterthought, it reveals. You might hear a disorderly, loud free-for-all labeled as "dance time" without any hints or borders. You may see teachers standing back and yelling tips instead of modeling. Instruments might be broken or hoarded for "special days," which informs children these tools are delicate and uncommon. Another warning is a stiff, performance-only frame of mind best early learning centre where children practice a song for weeks just to impress households at a holiday show. Performance can be fun, but it ought to not change daily exploration.
Watch the shifts. If the class takes 10 minutes to line up and 3 kids sob daily, the program requires much better rhythmic scaffolds. That is solvable, but it requires personnel training and leadership support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families typically ask what to do at home that supports what they want in school. Keep it basic and consistent.
- Create two or three short songs for everyday tasks: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Utilize the very same tune every time. Add a 90-second motion break in between homework or dinner steps. Dive, sway, freeze, breathe. Keep a small basket with two instruments and one scarf. Turn products every few weeks to keep interest fresh.
None of this requires to be elegant. Your consistent existence and desire to be a little silly teach more than any playlist.
A note on staffing and leadership
Even the very best ideas stall without a director who values them. Ask how administrators support preparing time for teachers to prepare music and motion sectors. Do they fund materials annually, not simply as soon as? Do they generate a trainer each year to refresh skills? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that budget plans for ongoing training and develops rhythm into its curriculum map will weather personnel turnover better. Connection is not luck; it is structured.
Finding the best fit in your area
When you type daycare near me or preschool near me, the map peppered with pins can feel frustrating. Start with proximity, hours, and whether the program is a certified daycare. Then visit 3 to five sites. During each tour, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not searching for a conservatory. You are looking for a location where music and movement make life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you find a centre that talks about music with the very same severity as literacy, take a review. If the instructors laugh easily and sign up with kids on the flooring, that is a great indication. If your child begins tapping a beat en route out the door, excited to come back, your search is currently responding to itself.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre – South Surrey Campus
Also known as: The Learning Circle Ocean Park Campus; The Learning Circle Childcare South Surrey
Address: 100 – 12761 16 Avenue (Pacific Building), Surrey, BC V4A 1N3, Canada
Phone: +1 604-385-5890
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/
Campus page: https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/south-surrey-campus-oceanpark
Tagline: Providing Care & Early Education for the Whole Child Since 1992
Main services: Licensed childcare, daycare, preschool, before & after school care, Foundations classes (1–4), Foundations of Mindful Movement, summer camps, hot lunch & snacks
Primary service area: South Surrey, Ocean Park, White Rock BC
Google Maps
View on Google Maps (GBP-style search URL):
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Plus code:
24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia
Business Hours (Ocean Park / South Surrey Campus)
Regular hours:
Note: Hours may differ on statutory holidays; families are usually encouraged to confirm directly with the campus before visiting.
Social Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelearningcirclecorp/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tlc_corp/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelearningcirclechildcare
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is a holistic childcare and early learning centre located at 100 – 12761 16 Avenue in the Pacific Building in South Surrey’s Ocean Park neighbourhood of Surrey, BC V4A 1N3, Canada.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus provides full-day childcare and preschool programs for children aged 1 to 5 through its Foundations 1, Foundations 2 and Foundations 3 classes.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers before-and-after school care for children 5 to 12 years old in its Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders program, serving Ecole Laronde, Ray Shepherd and Ocean Cliff elementary schools.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus focuses on whole-child development that blends academics, social-emotional learning, movement, nutrition and mindfulness in a safe, family-centred setting.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and is closed on weekends and most statutory holidays.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus serves families in South Surrey, Ocean Park and nearby White Rock, British Columbia.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus has the primary phone number +1 604-385-5890 for enrolment, tours and general enquiries.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus can be contacted by email at [email protected]
or via the online forms on https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/
.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers additional programs such as Foundations of Mindful Movement, a hot lunch and snack program, and seasonal camps for school-age children.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is part of The Learning Circle Inc., an early learning network established in 1992 in British Columbia.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus is categorized as a day care center, child care service and early learning centre in local business directories and on Google Maps.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus values safety, respect, harmony and long-term relationships with families in the community.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus maintains an active online presence on Facebook, Instagram (@tlc_corp) and YouTube (The Learning Circle Childcare Centre Inc).
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus uses the Google Maps plus code 24JJ+JJ Surrey, British Columbia to identify its location close to Ocean Park Village and White Rock amenities.
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus welcomes children from 12 months to 12 years and embraces inclusive, multicultural values that reflect the diversity of South Surrey and White Rock families.
People Also Ask about The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus
What ages does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus accept?
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus typically welcomes children from about 12 months through 12 years of age, with age-specific Foundations programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.
Where is The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus located?
The campus is located in the Pacific Building at 100 – 12761 16 Avenue in South Surrey’s Ocean Park area, just a short drive from central White Rock and close to the 128 Street and 16 Avenue corridor.
What programs are offered at the South Surrey / Ocean Park campus?
The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus offers Foundations 1 and 2 for infants and toddlers, Foundations 3 for preschoolers, Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders for school-age children, along with Foundations of Mindful Movement, hot lunch and snack programs, and seasonal camps.
Does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus provide before and after school care?
Yes, the campus provides before-and-after school care through its Foundations 4 Emerging Leaders program, typically serving children who attend nearby elementary schools such as Ecole Laronde, Ray Shepherd and Ocean Cliff, subject to availability and current routing.
Are meals and snacks included in tuition?
Core programs at The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus usually include a hot lunch and snacks, designed to support healthy eating habits so families do not need to pack full meals each day.
What makes The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus different from other daycares?
The campus emphasizes a whole-child approach that balances school readiness, social-emotional growth, movement and mindfulness, with long-standing “Foundations” curriculum, dedicated early childhood educators, and a strong focus on safety and family partnerships.
Which neighbourhoods does The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus primarily serve?
The South Surrey campus primarily serves families living in Ocean Park, South Surrey and nearby White Rock, as well as commuters who travel along 16 Avenue and the 128 Street and 152 Street corridors.
How can I contact The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus?
You can contact The Learning Circle Childcare Centre - South Surrey Campus by calling +1 604-385-5890, by visiting their social channels such as Facebook and Instagram, or by going to https://www.thelearningcirclechildcare.com/ to learn more and submit a tour or enrolment enquiry.
