
Program Schedule
Children can start preschool at Happy Corner in September of the year they turn three years old. For information about class observations, please see the Registration page. The following gives parents an idea of how Happy Corner runs. For more information, send us an email at !
TEDDY BEARS (3-4 year olds)
- Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9:15am – 11:45am
- Max. 14 children (2 Adults on-site)
- Monthly Fees: $287 per child per month for 2024-25 (fees are subject to change)
- Non-helper families: $35 per month on top of tuition
CATERPILLARS (4-5 year olds)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings 9:15am – 12:00pm
- Max. 16 children (3 Adults on-site)
- Monthly Fees: $317 per child per month for 2024-2025 (fees are subject to change)
- Non-helper families: $35 per month on top of tuition
Flow of a Typical Day
While children at Happy Corner engage in lots of spontaneous, open-ended play; we have created a dependable daily routine to foster security and build independence. Times below are generic and should only be used to get a general sense of how a normal day will flow for your child at HCP.
9:15am: Arrive, children are greeted individually and hang coats, wash hands
9:20am: Circle time including special welcome songs, puzzles, stories, and discussion about the day to come.
9:40am: Daily special activities such as art, projects, science experiments, etc.
10:00am: Free play
10:45am: Snack time
11:10am: Second circle for songs, stories and games
11:30am: Children are invited to play outside in our private garden until they are picked up (weather depending)
School Events & Activities
Every year at Happy Corner our families get to enjoy scheduled activities that take place outside of regular classes. Some of these events are long held traditions that correspond to the season and other events change from year to year. When we find we have a real hit – like Forest Day – we turn it into a tradition.
There are many other extracurricular events happening at Happy Corner throughout the year. In addition to our meetings and parent duty days, these gatherings provide us with additional opportunities to build connections and learn from one another as families.
Parent Involvement: What It Involves
Happy Corner’s Parent Involvement Preschool (PIP) is a non-profit, parent-run program where families take an active role in the school’s operations. Parents work alongside teachers as essential administrators and contributors, helping create a nurturing, community-driven environment that strengthens connections among children, families, and educators.
Every family takes on either an executive or non-executive job throughout the year, with roles varying based on interest, ability, and enrollment numbers. We recognize that each family has different capacities, and we do our best to match families with roles suited to their availability and strengths.
Executive Team: Leading the School
Our parent-led executive team is elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each May. These roles require time, leadership, and collaboration. If roles remain unfilled at the start of the school year, parents are invited to step forward.
Parent/Caregiver Helper Days
All families take turns joining their child’s class to assist with setup, cleanup, transitions, and play supervision. These are special “duty days” for the children, and families sign up via an online calendar (managed by the VPs) up to two months in advance.
Families wishing to opt out may do so by paying an additional $35/month tuition fee.
Fundraising
All families are expected to participate in fundraising, both directly and by sharing opportunities with friends and relatives. Fundraising is vital, as tuition alone does not cover the school’s full operating costs.
Why This Commitment Matters
The PIP model makes Happy Corner a collaborative, high-quality preschool. We are a team, and your involvement—whether leading on the executive team, assisting in class, or maintaining facilities—directly enriches your and your child’s experience. Volunteering is essential to the operation of our school. We ask families to thoughtfully consider and embrace this commitment before enrolling.
For a full breakdown of the executive and non-executive roles click here: Learn more about how families help make HCP thrive!
Questions? See our FAQs or Contact Us
– Kathy S.
