Reggio Emilia-inspired inquiry
Children’s interests spark projects, questions and shared discoveries. Educators observe, listen, document and extend learning.
Our curriculum
Inspired by children. Enriched by experience.
Our curriculum is grounded in the Reggio Emilia-inspired, child-led ethos that has shaped Oak Bay Preschool for generations. We view the environment as a partner in learning, and respond to and extend children’s emerging ideas through conversation, investigation, creativity and play.
Six areas of learning
How learning comes to life
Early STEM and discovery
Loose parts, building, sorting, water, sand and simple investigations invite children to predict, experiment, notice patterns and solve problems.
The arts and expression
Painting, drawing, clay, collage, construction, music, movement and dramatic play give children many ways to express their thinking.
Language and early literacy
Stories, conversation, songs, rhymes, mark-making and playful sound awareness strengthen communication and the foundations for reading and writing.
Outdoor learning
Our attached outdoor classroom extends learning beyond the preschool walls. Children experience fresh air, nature and active play throughout the seasons.
Social and emotional growth
Children learn to name feelings, cooperate, negotiate, develop friendships and grow in independence with sensitive adult support.
We believe meaningful learning begins with curiosity and the time and freedom to explore, question and discover. Through thoughtful teaching and rich experiences both indoors and in nature, we nurture children’s confidence, independence and ability to make connections, recognising that even the simplest moments can lead to extraordinary learning.
Learning spaces
Inside, outside and everywhere in between
Our thoughtfully arranged indoor classroom invites children to make, imagine, investigate and collaborate. Accessible materials encourage independence and open-ended play, while shared gatherings, storytelling and small-group experiences bring children together.
Through hands-on experiences, open-ended materials and meaningful interactions, children develop independence, creativity and problem-solving skills.
Our classrooms are places where ideas take shape, questions lead to investigations and children are encouraged to think for themselves. Rather than simply providing answers, we nurture their ability to wonder, experiment, make connections and discover new possibilities.
Outdoor classroom & community
Connection with the natural world
Our outdoor classroom offers opportunities for exploration, discovery and connection with the natural world. Through sensory experiences, movement, imaginative play and observation of the changing seasons, children develop curiosity, confidence and an understanding of their environment.
A fallen leaf, an interesting stone or a discovery beneath a log can spark questions and investigations that connect science, mathematics, language and art.
Learning also extends beyond our preschool walls. Building on Oak Bay Preschool’s longstanding community connections, neighbourhood explorations, community visitors and shared experiences help children develop a sense of belonging and a deeper connection to the people and places around them.
Learning with purpose
From one puddle, a dozen discoveries
Here is how a single moment of curiosity can grow into rich, purposeful learning.
Wonder
A child notices that a puddle has shrunk since yesterday and asks where the water went.
Investigate
Together we measure, mark its edges, predict and check again, connecting water, weather and change.
Express
Children draw, talk and record what they found, building early science, literacy and mathematics along the way.
“We are not simply teaching children what to think; we are nurturing their ability to ask questions, investigate possibilities and discover answers for themselves.”
See our classroom in action
Visit us, or browse the gallery for a glimpse of everyday life at Oak Bay Preschool.