Daily Routine

Buddings is open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. Late enough to cover an evening yoga class after work, or until your partner gets home from downtown.

Children at Buddings can move freely between Art Activities, Dramatic Play, Cooking, Quiet Activities, Snacks, and Circle Times. We’ll also have special presenters coming in from time to time, yoga, art, and music, and we’ll be sure to let you know when the next one happens. If your hours are flexible, you can make your reservations based on the activities your child likes best!

This means that activities and lessons are based on children’s interests. Educators plan to meet developmental goals by creating an environment, and presenting tools, that stimulate experimentation and learning.

Instead, regular contact with families allows us to work with guardians and Buddies to give each one the special attention that will help them to progress at their own rate, and in their own direction. And, of course, your child’s backpack will be full of the arts and crafts that they’ll be creating everyday!

These activities will be based on the daily theme and will follow either an Art Activity or a Circle Time format. The Guided Activities will change every day and you can check our Buddings Calendar to find out when your child’s favourite one will take place.

Each week, nine of our favourite creations will be selected for display on our website, with the child’s first name and age. We will ask, via email, for permission before displaying art photos, and once approved, Buddies will be proud to see their artwork on rotation for the week. They may want to notify their online relations, as well.

These are primarily taken during specific activities, or for display in the centre. On occasion, for marketing or promotional purposes, we may approach families for consent to publish a specific image of their child. This will happen only after receiving written consent, and does not cover any other photos than the one requested.

There is no “nap time” in our day because Buddies leave and arrive at variable times, but anytime a child needs some down time, they are welcome to rest on a cot in the Quiet Area.

Snack Hours at Buddings are at 10am and 3pm. Buddings Daily Snacks are nutritious and delicious, and extra fun to eat because our Buddies help us make them. We use organic, locally-sourced products, and/or seasonal ingredients, many of which are grown here in BC.

Our snacks will always include at least two food groups, and will take into account the allergies and dietary needs of everyone at the centre. Opting in for the Daily Snacks costs $2, billed to the Incidental Invoice and payable at the end of the term. Water and cups are always available.

You know what your child will and won’t eat, and families are always welcome to send along a snack or meal, in a labeled container that can be washed and reused. A microwave is available for warming food from home and all instructions will be followed. Choking hazardous items, such as peanuts, hard candies, etc., should be avoided. Grapes, carrots, and hotdogs should be sliced lengthwise.

We do not cook with or provide peanuts to children in the centre however, we do not have a policy prohibiting nuts in Buddies’ lunches. If this changes, families will be informed.

Sometimes, depending on our daily inspirational topic, we may even ask everyone to bring in a special item. These are to be shared with the group, and put away in the cubbies when it’s time to do something else. Items from home should be appropriate for children aged 2 and up, and should not have a violent suggestion. Please do not bring video games or devices of any kind to Buddings.

Buddings supplies environmentally-friendly options for most daily needs, including soaps, diapers, wipes, etc. We will also aim to have extra clothes available for loan in case of accidents. If your child is prone to such occurrences, do try to plan ahead.

The cubbies at the entrance of the centre are shared and cleaned regularly. This is where our Buddies can hang their coats, and keep their treasures. Every time you arrive, please be sure to sign the attendance sheet, change from outside shoes to inside shoes, and make sure you have all of the following: 

• A reusable, labelled bottle of water
• Snack(s) in a labelled, reusable container, if needed
• Indoor shoes with gripping soles
• Clothes suitable for exploring and experimenting
• Extra/specific supplies, if needed
• Any medications necessary, in original labeled package, with directions included – a signed, dated, consent form will be required for staff members to administer drugs of any kind
• Thinking caps and healthy imaginations

The total will be whichever is more and no refund will be issued for early pick-ups or late drop-offs.