FAQs

  • We are licenced by the Ministry of Education as a day nursery for the chilldren 2 ½ to 5 years of age. Our summer camp program is for children 4to 5 1/2 years of age, (pre-Grade 1), however, children younger than 4 years of age are eligible to attend only if they are already registered in the year long program. Children may attend for all their preschool and kindergarten years. Children who leave the school for public school often come back for camp.

  • The school year runs from September until June. Summer camp runs in July and August and requires a separate registration with four 2-week sessions for parent flexibility.

    The Centre is closed on statutory holidays and the winter break in December. WMCC is open for TDSB March break.

  • WMCC is licensed and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education and has a Service Agreement with the City of Toronto, and governed by the CCEY (Child Care and Early Years act 2014).

    The school year is September to June. Our program is a blend of Early Childhood Education and Montessori principles. As well, the experience that the children have in Nature everyday fuels their desire to learn and grow. We are guided by the principles of How Does Learning Happen and Early Learning for Every Child Today which are principles guided by children’s inner drives to explore their environment. Play, art, movement, dance, music, mathematics, language, nature studies, and tools that create self-regulation and self-knowledge are paramount in our program. We see these tools that set the foundation for the child’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive in school.

  • Please contact us for a breakdown of current school fees. The annual fee includes: 10-month licensed Early Childhood, Montessori, and Nature Program, hot vegetarian lunch and snacks (prepared fresh on-site), parent handbook, newsletters and parent information, annual Parent/Teacher interview (Fall) and annual report card (Spring).

    Childcare subsidies are available through Toronto Children Services. (Information for this is found on their website)

  • Summer camp runs in July and August and requires a separate registration with four 2 week sessions for parent flexibility. Registration forms are available in January.

    Earth awareness through play. Toronto Island offers children a special place to call their own. Water, Earth, fresh Air and Sunshine are in abundance and we take advantage of the natural setting and wide-open spaces to help children fall in love with nature. Children are natural naturalists. All activities explore the worlds of the earth: mineral, plant, animals and humans. The travel time, art activities, songs, stories, and creative play round out their day. Many of the children bring their bicycles to camp. They visit the beaches and splash pads on the island but we do not go swimming. We have a small wading pool at the Centre and we often have the sprinkler going. The schedule allows for both individual child focused activities, as well as group circles and teacher led stories and songs.

  • Please contact us for a breakdown of current summer camp fees.

    The fee includes care from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm, the Arts and Nature program, two snacks and home cooked lunch. We have a vegetarian menu. Children are not permitted to bring their own food. Ferry tickets are purchased separately at the ferry dock.

  • Our teachers are trained in Early Child Education or have Montessori training or both. Our teachers and our support teachers have experience with children and also bring their skills and talents to the job. We have had many an artist and musician that bring their love of art to the program. Another aspect of our program is we often have alumni join us to work in the school. We work with children because we love it. The wealth of our training and experience just adds to our ability to give back to the children. All of our staff have current first aid training and a police check and we review all our policies annually.

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Children’s tickets are purchased from the traffic office at the ferry dock. A single ticket is approximately $4 (includes return fare) and there is a discount when you purchase more than 10 tickets. Children’s monthly passes are available for approximately $50. The adult fare is approximately $8. Please note that ferry fees are subject to change and check https://www.ferrytorontoisland.com/ferry-toronto-tickets/ for current prices.

  • Students are dropped off at the Jack Layton Ferry compound. Parents do not need a ticket to enter the compound. The whole group, along with the teachers rides the ferry together.

    Parents can park for a short period of time for drop off and pick up in the visitors parking of the apartment building west of the hotel.

  • 
During the school year a minimum of 2 months written notice is required from the first of the month in which withdrawal is effective i.e. notice is due on November 1 for January 1 withdrawal. Your Family Registration fee and Deposit fee are non-refundable. During Summer Camp Refunds may be applied for in writing up to 3 weeks before the session starts. A $100.00 cancellation fee will be withheld.

  • The Centre is closed for statutory holidays and we take a holiday break in December as per the Toronto District School Board schedule. We are open during March break. Summer camp registration is adjusted for statutory holidays.

  • Parents continue to pay for time registered when the child is away on vacation or due to illness. WMCC is a non-profit, charitable organization so all fees that are paid by the parents are needed to cover the cost of providing our quality childcare program.

  • We walk or ride in all-weather so it is important to be prepared for the elements. Dressing in layers and having proper clothing is essential for example extra winter hats, mitts, rain gear, helmets, sun hats and applying sunscreen as needed. In the summer we all carry water bottles. The program is about learning how to take good care of ourselves. You are provided with lists of what to bring to school and the children keep replacement clothing at school.

    There are emergency services on the island and the staff review our safety and supervision policies regularly. We review the safety and behaviour rules with the children daily to teach them not only how to be safe, but also how to navigate their way in a group. Each time we review the rules we ask why we have them. Rules are there to keep them safe! All staff have first aid training and we carry cellphones and first aid pouches.


  • If you miss the morning boat a parent would need to travel to the school with the child on the next available boat.

    In case a child falls ill during the school day parents will be notified. A staff member can bring the child to the ferry on the island side where they can be received by a parent and travel back to the city on the same boat.

  • Generally, yes. Please get in touch with specific questions and concerns.

  • The school year runs from September to June. Space is granted to current parents for September in the Spring and then to the parents who are on the waiting list. Children also join us throughout the year as space becomes available. You must visit the school to get on the waiting list.

    For summer camp the dates are posted on the website in January and we will send you the registration forms. Camp begins the first week of July and there are four 2 week Sessions. Fees are paid at the time of registration. Summer Camp registration is on a first come first served basis.

    Please contact us via our Registration form.

  • We welcome visitors during school hours. Please get in touch to arrange a date and time. You must visit the school to get on the waiting list. Seeing is believing!