Preschool Near Me with Music and Movement Programs 62978
Parents often search "preschool near me" and after that make a shortlist based upon place, hours, and cost. All useful, all necessary. Yet the programs inside the building shape your child's days and, over time, their habits of attention, confidence, and delight. Music and motion sit high up on that list due to the fact that they develop more than rhythm. They support language, social skills, motor preparation, and self-regulation. I have actually seen shy toddlers discover their voice through tapping sticks in time with a buddy. I have actually seen four-year-olds connect syllables to actions, then bring that beat into early reading. When a childcare centre deals with music and motion as an everyday language, children bloom.
This guide will assist you examine preschools and early learning centres through the lens of music and movement. It mixes research-informed practice with the untidy, genuine information you notice during a tour: the method an instructor redirects a wiggle into a stretch, the existence of child-sized instruments that actually work, the sound of children singing their clean-up regimen. You will likewise discover practical examples of schedules, questions to ask, and what separates an excellent program from a great one. If you are considering a regional daycare or a licensed daycare that consists of toddler care, pre-K, and after school care, these markers can help you spot quality.
Why music and motion matter more than a "nice additional"
Music is the only activity that lights up 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, more powerful pattern acknowledgment, and steadier emotional regulation. Movement connects it all together. Children under five find out with their whole bodies, not simply their ears and eyes. When affordable daycare centre you pair rhythm with mobility, you are composing discovering into the anxious system.
I as soon as dealt with a three-year-old who had a hard time to sit during circle time. He fasted to dart away, then melt down when asked to rejoin. We constructed a "march-in" regimen that started outside the space. He selected a drum, I picked 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 fixed, and we arrived inside currently regulated. 2 weeks later he could join without the drum. His brain had actually learned a tempo for transition.
Preschools that get this right are not merely adding 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 strong early knowing centre builds these moments into routines so kids get day-to-day practice without feeling drilled.
What a robust program looks and sounds like
You can identify the distinction between a scripted "special" and a living program within 5 minutes of stepping into a class. Here are the concrete signs.
- The instruments operate and fit small hands. Think eight-inch frame drums, egg shakers, rhythm sticks, a child-height xylophone. Damaged tambourines pushed on a high shelf signal token effort. Long lasting sets recommend preparation and budget support. The room enables clear area for locomotor play. Teachers can slide shelves to open a dance lane. Tape lines on the floor mean balance beams and pathways. Recess alone does not count; indoor motion matters during rain or cold. Teachers model involvement. An instructor who sings off-key but totally permits for kids to try. Staff clap the beat, mirror motions, and kneel to the child's height to hint turn-taking. A teacher with a guitar is great, however not required. Routines operate on rhythm. Transitions consist of call-and-response chants. Clean-up uses a short song, always the same, so children prepare for the ending and shift efficiently. The tune is the schedule. Children develop as often as they imitate. There is time totally free dance after a guided sequence. Children compose two-beat patterns on the area and schoolmates echo them. Improvisation develops agency.
In a daycare centre that serves a wide age variety, you ought to see the exact same approach adapted for babies, toddlers, and young children. Infants explore maracas throughout stomach time. Toddler care consists of stop-and-go games to practice impulse control. Pre-K layers in notation, basic dynamics, and cultural tunes. An early childcare group that understands advancement will show 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. Gentle beats lower heart rate and ease separation. On the shelf: a basket of headscarfs and beanbags for kids who want to move while they settle.
Morning meeting begins with a greeting 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 little however powerful bond. When a brand-new child signs up with, the class decides the gesture. Option keeps the ritual fresh.
Centers open. In the art corner, kids paint to a piece in triple meter, then switch to a steady duple beat. They observe how brush strokes change. In blocks, 2 kids develop a bridge, then check how toy vehicles sound at different speeds. An instructor hums slow, then much faster, and they change. A great deal of discovering happens here: cause and effect, pace control, and descriptive language.
Before treat, a two-minute movement break resets energy. This is not a benefit, it is hygiene for attention. The teacher hints a freeze dance with three levels of intensity, then a last exhale. Heart rates slow, hands clean while children sing the health song, long enough for soap to work. This sequence saves time later on because less tips are needed.
Outdoors, you see genuine gross motor play. Not just running, however rhythm difficulties. Hop to the drum. Walk the chalk line heel to toe while shouting numbers to 20. Toss and catch a soft ball on a count of three, then switch hands. When weather condition keeps everyone inside, the early knowing centre leans on a movement room with mats, a parachute, and visual schedules to prevent chaos.
After lunch, rest time includes a consistent playlist, always the very same three tracks in the exact same order. Predictability helps kids settle, and the cues tell their bodies what to do. Kids who do not sleep can wear earphones and listen to instrumental music while "drawing what they hear." That outlet respects differences 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 assign instruments to characters. For kids in after school care, the same approach appears in club kind: a drumming circle, a dance choreography group, or a songwriting laboratory that turns spelling words into verses. Continuity across ages develops a neighborhood of practice within the regional daycare.
What to ask on a trip, and how to read the answers
Families often ask 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 often do kids take part in organized music and motion, and how is it incorporated beyond a weekly class? What instruments and materials are available free of charge exploration, and how do you teach kids to care for them? How do you utilize rhythm and movement to support shifts and self-regulation? Can you share an example of a child who gained from music and motion in a specific method, and what you changed in response? How do you adapt for kids with sensory level of sensitivities or mobility differences?
Listen for specifics. A director who can indicate daily routines, show you the instrument shelf, and call a child's development is running a living program. Vague declarations about "great deals of singing" without examples suggest an add-on. Ask to observe a brief section. Watch instructor language. Do they say, "Utilize your strong beat hands," or "Stop that sound"? The very first channels energy. The second shuts finding out down.
If you are browsing "childcare centre near me," bring your shortlist and compare. Some licensed daycare programs fulfill regulatory boxes, however you are looking for intent. The Learning Circle Childcare Centre, for example, built a schedule where every shift, from arrival to snack, has a coordinating balanced cue. That intentionality displays in the calm tone of the space. You want that level of preparation, whether you choose 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 provide safe instruments, varied textures, and foreseeable tunes linked to care routines. Expect gentle bouncing games that strengthen vestibular systems, singing play that models turn-taking, and short, duplicated songs connected to diapering and feeding. The goal is bonding and sensory organization, not performance.
Older young children are prepared for easy rhythm patterns and stop-go control. Expect mirroring games, start-stop dances, and call-and-response chants. They can keep a beat for one to four counts and can copy a motion sequence of 2 actions. Teachers must offer clear visual cues, avoid long descriptions, and keep bursts short: 60 to 120 seconds, then switch.
Three-year-olds enjoy role-play and pretend. Music ends up being story. Teachers can build soundscapes for a storybook, designate rhythms to characters, and let kids pick how to move across a pretend river. This age starts to sync stepping with syllables, a bridge to early literacy. Anticipate counting tunes that climb up into the teens and a focus on stable beat instead of intricate syncopation.
Four- and five-year-olds can deal with pattern variation, characteristics, and basic notation. You may see cards with signs for loud and soft, quick and slow, and children making up a four-card phrase to perform with sticks. They can partner dance, switch leaders, and reflect on the sensation 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 much better pencil grip.
Children with developmental differences benefit enormously when music and motion are tailored. Autistic kids frequently love clear visual schedules and predictable tunes. Kids with motor hold-ups develop strength and sequencing through scaffolded motion series. An excellent early knowing centre will reveal you how they adjust. Ask to see visual supports and hear how they manage noise level of sensitivity, maybe through earbuds, a quiet corner, or body socks for deep pressure.
Teacher skill makes or breaks it
A lovely instrument cart implies little if teachers feel unsure. Training matters. Look for staff who comprehend:
- How to set and keep a stable beat, and how to simplify when kids fall behind. How to layer guideline: first design, then mirror, then let children lead. How to utilize "musicalized" language to offer instructions: "Walk on tiptoes with tiny mouse steps to the blue square." How to manage volume and excitement without shaming. Teachers can reduce their own voice and slow the tempo to cue down-regulation. How to observe and adapt quickly, shortening sections or altering the meter to restore engagement.
When an instructor appreciates those principles, group management improves. Less tips, more involvement, less meltdowns. That is not magic. It is the brain settling into an expected pattern, comforted by repeating, and challenged by variation at the best moment.
Safety, licensing, and the practicalities
Parents sometimes fret that movement indicates danger. Licensed daycare programs handle risk with easy structures: clear floor space, non-slip shoes, and rules revealed musically. "Sticks kiss the floor, not our heads" shouted before the sticks come out. Tap zones on the flooring. Two-finger holds on scarves. Those guardrails keep the space safe without dulling the fun.
Check standard compliance. A licensed daycare ought to keep instrument health, especially for mouthed products. Egg shakers get cleaned after sessions. Drum mallets are smooth and intact. Floorings are swept to avoid slips. If the program runs combined ages, ask how they different products by size to prevent choking hazards in toddler care.
Cost and scheduling matter too. Some preschools charge extra for an expert who visits weekly. Others develop it into tuition. Both can work, but you desire the everyday combination in addition to the unique. If a program just provides 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 lots of customs without flattening them into novelty. Children learn a clapping game from Ghana, a circle dance from Eastern Europe, a lullaby in Mandarin offered by a child's grandma, and a powwow drum rhythm provided with context. Teachers call the source and avoid costumes or accents that caricature. Families can contribute tunes, and the class discovers them with care. Children absorb the message that many cultures carry rhythm and story, and that every family's music belongs.
I dealt with a centre where a dad brought a dhol drum for Vaisakhi. He taught the children a basic bhangra action. For weeks later, the class utilized that step as a transition relocation. Every child understood the father's name and greeted him with a mini step 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 teacher notes and videos that record growth: a child who holds a consistent beat for 8 counts by January, a child who finds out to freeze on cue, a child who initiates a turn as the leader. Those skills tie to curricular objectives such as self-regulation, collaboration, and emerging literacy.
Look for portfolios with brief clips, images, and teacher reflections. Ask how often instructors share these with families. Some early knowing centres consist of a brief "home link" where families attempt a chant during toothbrushing, then report back. That bridge keeps regimens constant across home and school.
A quick look at space, noise, and sensory design
Sound quality affects habits. Rooms with soft materials absorb echoes, making music pleasant instead of overwhelming. Look for rugs, curtains, and wall panels. The very best spaces consist of a quiet 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 tolerable volume till all set to participate full.
Visual cues direct group circulation. Image cards for start, stop, loud, soft, dive, tiptoe. A pace dial made use of cardboard that the leader moves. Children find out to check out the room, not simply obey the adult. That is early executive function, and it grows day by day.
What this appears like throughout program types
A childcare centre serving infants through preschool can put motion breaks every 20 to thirty minutes for young children and every 30 to 45 minutes for young children. Teachers tune the length to the activity. Open-ended play needs less breaks. Direct guideline needs more and shorter. After school look after older children can involve student-led clubs, simple recording projects, or choreography that mixes math patterns with dance developments. The thread is company. Kids pick, develop, and reflect, not simply copy.
A local daycare with limited area can still deliver. Short, regular bursts and clever storage make a difference. Instruments in identified bins, scarves clipped to a wall mount, a collapsible mat that becomes a safe toppling zone, tape lines that vanish under tables when not in usage. Creativity beats square footage.
A preschool near me with bigger premises can invest in outside sound walls from recycled materials: metal covers, PVC chimes, wood blocks. Kids explore tone and force. Teachers cue safety guidelines and let expedition run. Rainy-day versions come within on pegboards.
Red flags to notice during a visit
If music and movement are an afterthought, it shows. daycare services near me You might hear a chaotic, loud free-for-all identified as "dance time" with no cues or boundaries. You may see instructors standing back and yelling pointers instead of modeling. Instruments may be broken or hoarded for "special days," which informs children these tools are fragile and uncommon. Another warning is a rigid, performance-only frame of mind where kids practice a song for weeks just to impress families at a holiday show. Performance can be fun, but it should not change day-to-day exploration.
Watch the shifts. If the class takes ten minutes to line up and three children sob daily, the program requires much better balanced scaffolds. That is understandable, however it needs personnel training and leadership support.
How to bring rhythm home while you search
Families frequently ask what to do in the house that supports what they desire in school. Keep it basic and consistent.
- Create two or 3 brief songs for daily tasks: handwashing, toy pick-up, and bedtime. Utilize the same melody every time. Add a 90-second movement break between research or dinner steps. Jump, sway, freeze, breathe. Keep a little basket with two instruments and one scarf. Turn products every couple of weeks to keep interest fresh.
None of this requires to be elegant. Your stable existence and willingness to be a little ridiculous 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 planning time for teachers to prepare music and motion sections. Do they money materials yearly, not just as soon as? Do they generate a trainer each year to refresh abilities? A program like The Learning Circle Childcare Centre that budgets for continuous training and builds rhythm into its curriculum map will weather personnel turnover better. Connection is not luck; it is structured.
Finding the ideal fit in your area
When you type daycare near me or preschool near me, the map peppered with pins can feel overwhelming. Start with proximity, hours, and whether the program is a certified daycare. Then visit three to 5 sites. During each trip, listen for rhythm in the everyday. You are not searching for a conservatory. You are searching for a place where music and movement make life smoother, kinder, and more alive.
If you find a centre that speaks about music with the same severity as literacy, take a second look. If the instructors laugh quickly and join kids on the flooring, that is an excellent indication. If your child begins tapping a beat on the way out the door, excited to come back, your search is already 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.
