At Tots Town Children’s Centre, we are proud to offer high-quality early childhood education and care to families in the Nanaimo area. Our thoughtfully designed programs support Kindergarten readiness by combining fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities with a strong educational foundation.
Each school year, children participate in a variety of enriching experiences that nurture their growth across all domains. At the end of the year, every graduating student receives a progress report with personalized feedback, including suggestions to help families continue supporting their child’s learning journey at home.
- School Year Program: Runs from September to June
- Summer Program: A 7-week session from July to mid-August
Play Policy
At Tots Town Children’s Centre, we recognize that play is pivotal to your child’s development. Through play, children grow cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally. A significant amount of foundational learning happens when children are given the freedom to explore, create, and imagine. Play offers opportunities for problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and developing an understanding of the world around them.
Our programs at Tots Town are built on the principles of play-based and inquiry-based learning. Throughout the school year, we offer enriching opportunities for both indoor and outdoor exploration where children are encouraged to make independent choices, use their imaginations, and engage in meaningful play. During these free play experiences, our educators provide gentle guidance and support, helping children build self-regulation, critical thinking, and social-emotional skills.
We believe a balanced approach — combining direct teaching with child-led exploration — creates a strong and successful foundation for early learning.
Our services
Early Dismissal Preschool
8:30 am – 2:00 pm
30 months – 5 years
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time: $875.50
Daily Rate: $44.80
Daycare
7:45 am – 5:30 pm
3 years – 5 years
Full Time or Part Time
Full Time: $1046.00
Part Time: $55.10/ day
Full Day Rate: $55.10
Before & Afterschool Care
7:45 am – 8:25 am/ 2:10 pm – 5:30 pm
Full Time or Part Time
5 years – 8 years
*McGirr Elementary School Catchment only*
Full Time: $463.50
Daily Rate: $25.50
Summer Programs
Tots Town Children’s Centre offers a 7 week summer program, running from July through mid-August, designed exclusively for our current and incoming families.
Please note that registration for our summer program is separate from our school year enrollment and is subject to availability, as spaces are limited.
Our summer program is thoughtfully structured around weekly themes, creating a fun and dynamic learning environment. Each day is split into two parts:
- Half-day of structured programming, filled with engaging, theme-based activities
- Half-day of outdoor play and exploration, offering a true summer camp experience
FLOW OF THE DAY
The structure of our day may vary depending on special events or weather.
| 7:45 am | Open-free flow activity time for early arrivals// prep morning activities |
| 8:25 am | Before School Care Children Depart |
| 8:30 am | Programs Begin – Early Dismissal Daycare Children Arrive-free play activity time/ focussed learning |
| 10:00 am | Tidy-up Time/ Large Group Circle -Music/ Movement/ Large Group Learning Activity |
| 10:30 am | Small Group Learning and Story Time |
| 10:45 am | Snack Time |
| 11:00 am | Outdoor Activity Time |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch Time |
| 12:20 pm | Large Group Quiet Activity Time |
| 12:40 pm | Free Play/ Activity Time |
| 1:30 pm | Large Group Transition-Music/ Story/ Reflection on our learning |
| 2:00 pm | Outdoor Activity Time–Early Dismissal Daycare Children Depart/ Afterschool Care Children Arrive |
| 3:00 pm | Snack Time*Provided by Tots Town* Free Play/ Activity Time/ Afterschool Program |
| 4:15 pm | Tidy Up Time// Story TimeTransition Games/ Large Group Games |
| 4:40 pm | Large Group Games Continued// Outdoor Activity *Weather and Season Depending |
| 5:30 pm | CLOSE |