Hippo Nursery School operates from September through August, from Monday to Friday, 8:15am to 5:30 PM. We are closed for two weeks over the winter holidays, one week over March Break, and one week at the end of August, as well as all statutory holidays. In the summer, we operate a summer program with 2 week sessions following the same schedule as the school-year program.

• Pre-Care: 8:15 am to 9:00 am
• Morning Programs: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
• Lunch: 11:30 am to 12:00 noon or 12:00 to 12:30
• Nap/Quiet time 12:00 to 2:00 pm
• Afternoon Program 1:00 to 4:00 pm
• After-Care: 4:00pm to 5:30 pm

During the winter, we follow the lead of the Toronto District School Board in decisions about closing or early closing, due to severe weather conditions.

Full Day program

Middle & Older Preschool Group / Younger (Toddler) Group:

This program runs Monday to Friday from 9:00 – 4:00pm. Children are in three groups – one for toddlers (18 months to 30 months) and two for preschool children (30 months to 5 years old).

Each group has one ECE teacher and one ECA staff. Most mornings, a family duty day volunteer assists in their child’s classroom. Families volunteer every other week for a duty day.

Morning Program

We have a small number of morning-only spots in our Middle Preschool group during the school-year program.  We can accommodate 3 toddler-aged children in this group, the majority of children in this group are 2.5 years old to 4 years old.

As part of their morning schedule, all children engage in free play, circle, outdoor play (weather permitting) and snack.

Lunch Program: Hot lunches are prepared for children who stay over the lunch period. Hot lunches are balanced, nutritious meals in accordance with the Canada Food Guide. A monthly menu is posted. The lunch period is supervised by the Supervisor and/or ECE teacher and ECA staff.

Pre-Care and After-Care Programs:  The Pre-Care program is for parents who need an earlier drop-off starting at 8:15.  The After-Care Program is for full-day children who need a later pick-up.  The program ends at 5:30 each day.  The aftercare program can include outside free play, large motor and/or creative play, crafts, story-reading, snack and child-directed activities.