Why WMCC?
Waterfront Montessori Children’s Centre (WMCC) is a nonprofit, co-operative style childcare centre and preschool. Our program is a blend of Early Childhood Education, Montessori and Nature-focused curricula. Situated in a park, we are able to provide a healthy, well-rounded program for children. We are committed to teaching children to respect themselves, others and the world around them.
WMCC has a pre-school license with Ontario’s Ministry of Education to provide full-time care for children 2 ½ to 5 years of age from September to June, and a summer camp for ages 4 to 6 years in July and August. Children can spend the pre-school years as well as junior and senior kindergarten with us.
WMCC has a Purchase of Service with the City of Toronto that means parents can apply and receive a subsidy for fees from Toronto Children’s Services. WMCC is a licensed charity that can accept donations and offer tax receipts in an effort to allow more children to experience the magic of the Island.
A downtown school located in a natural setting
Located on Algonquin Island, WMCC is part of the Toronto Island Residential Community. We offer students the unique experience of connecting with nature each and every day. Children can walk to the Centre in a car-free neighbourhood, explore many areas of the Island and enjoy a playground surrounded by a meadow.
Small class sizes and excellent staff
In accordance with our license, we maintain an eight-to-one child-to-teacher ratio. Our teachers, trained in both Montessori and Early Childhood Education, bring a wide variety of teaching experience to their work and are extremely talented in working with preschool-aged children. We also have an administrator, cook and support staff who have worked with the Centre for many years.
Our philosophy
At WMCC, it is our mission to foster emotional, social, physical and cognitive development of children. We understand that every child is a unique individual whose strengths and perspective have a fundamental influence in the community. Our Centre is committed to a co-operative environment that nurtures respect for self, responsibility for community and stewardship of the environment. We firmly believe in a child’s right to have and make choices, to be challenged, to feel trusted and protected, to have consistency and to be treated fairly.
Our programming
The Montessori and Early Childhood Education materials are concrete. They allow children to see, touch and understand what they are learning. The teacher observes the choices and progress of each child and provides guidance when appropriate. Children are not passive recipients of knowledge being taught by the all-knowing teacher. They have a voice in their education and are the driving force behind it. The teacher is their resource to observe and guide their progress and help set standards for their work. In this atmosphere children want to come to school.
Convenient drop-off & pick-up
Parents drop their children off at Toronto Ferry Docks at the foot of Bay Street and Queen’s Quay, where our staff escort them on a short ferry ride to Ward’s Island. Once there, children may choose between walking or riding the bike-bus to the Centre. Short-term visitor’s parking is available upon request.
Our menu
In our on-site kitchen we provide a hot, vegetarian lunch and healthy morning and afternoon snacks, fresh daily. The menu includes such favourites as homemade soups, casseroles, salads and freshly baked cookies. Check out the WMCC sample menu.
Registration for the ongoing WMCC program is now available. Please get in touch and we will send you the registration package.