Our Programs

  • Silhouette of an apple with a leaf on top.

    Nutritious Snacks

    Snacks and fun food experiences are part of our program.

  • Outline icon of a group of four people, representing a team or community.

    Multilingual Staff

    TESOL certified with ELL experience.

  • Icon of an award certificate with a checkmark and ribbon.

    Qualified ECE Staff

    Caring, experienced and qualified ECE, Infant/Toddler, Special Needs staff certified in First Aid.

Meeting the
individual needs of each child.

Our Infant/Toddler Program

Ages 6 months to 3 years

Our Infant/Toddler program is designed to meet the individual needs of each child. We provide loving attention for each child’s caregiving needs, while offering stimulating and educational activities and experiences. We provide a balance of activities that promote social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development. Our program includes stories, music, sensory play, indoor gym/outdoor play, and nature exploration. Teachers and children explore together and engage in co-constructed, inquiry based learning.

Our 3-5 Program

Ages 3 to 5 years

We offer an active-learning, play-based program that inspires inquiry and creativity. We provide a balance of activities and experiences that promote social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development. Our program includes language and literacy, art, science, cooking, music/movement, indoor gym/outdoor play, nature exploration and outings.

Our Fee Schedules

2025/2026 Monthly Fee Schedule

$100 Non-refundable registration fee.
One month’s deposit required with registration.

3-5 Program (36 months to 5 years)

  • 5 days/wk: $1335 - 545 = $790

  • 3 days/wk: $1035 - 327 = $708

  • 2 days/wk: $745 - 218 = $527

Infant/Toddler Program (6 to 36 months)

  • 5 days/wk: $1780 - 900 = $880

2026/2027 Monthly Fee Schedule

In effect September 1, 2026.
$200 Non-refundable registration fee .
One month’s deposit required with registration.

3-5 Program (36 months to 5 years)

  • 5 days/wk: $1373 - 545 = $828

  • 3 days/wk: $1073 - 327 = $746

  • 2 days/wk: $783 - 218 = $565

Infant/Toddler Program (6 to 36 months)

  • 5 days/wk: $1834 - 900 = $934

Acorn Early Education Centre receives the government of British Columbia’s Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative benefit, which enhances child care affordability by providing funding to reduce and stabilize parents’ monthly child care fees. Fees are reduced by $545 per month in the 3-5 program and $900 per month in the Infant/Toddler program.

Families can also apply for the Affordable Child Care Benefit to further reduce the cost of child care if eligible. Find out more here →

Program Highlights

  • Three young girls standing outdoors on a dirt path, pointing into the distance, wearing summer clothes and hats.

    Field Trips

    We go on field trips in the community with our 3 to 5 year olds to places like Lighthouse Park, Ambleside Park, John Lawson Park, West Van Library, as well as North Vancouver Presentation House and Kay Meek Centre for children’s theatre productions.

  • A young child playing with a colorful wooden xylophone, sitting on a black and white checkered play mat.

    Music and Movement Program

    Our music program is taught by Ryan Sloan, an Early Childhood Educator and musician, who has taught preschool children for many years. Ryan introduces the children to a variety of instruments and teaches them rhythm, pitch, and recognition of songs and tunes. The music and movement sessions are interactive and fun as children experience the joy of learning through music.

  • Three children standing on one leg with hands in prayer position above their heads, practicing yoga or meditation indoors on a green carpet and white wall background.

    Pedagogy Network

    For several years Acorn Early Education Centre has participated in the Early Childhood Pedagogy Network (ECPN) with weekly visits from a pedagogist to work collaboratively with the children and teachers to co-create curriculum and develop inquiry projects. ECPN has provided invaluable educational support, as well as ongoing professional development for teachers. Unfortunately the government is discontinuing the program. We truly believe that children are curious and capable learners andwe value co-created inquiry-based learning, so we are committed to continuing this approach and following the principles.

Enrichment

  • A person holding a butterfly on their finger with children in the background

    Science and Nature

    We provide children with opportunities to engage with the natural world through outdoor play, nature exploration and neighbourhood walks, and field trips. We aim to give the children opportunities for adventure and autonomy. Children rely on their senses to obtain information while they learn how to manage risk and gain confidence in their own abilities. The natural environment provides an abundance of learning opportunities and physical exercise, as well as having a calming effect on emotions. The children also engage with the natural world through projects such as growing vegetables and flowers, watching the metamorphosis of caterpillars to Painted Lady Butterflies, egg incubation to chicks hatching, bird inquiry, and climate change awareness.

  • Group of children holding paintings of the earth outside near a sign and a green fence.

    Social Responsibility

    Children and teachers engage in inquiries and projects together, such as preparing food hampers, creating care packages for the Downtown Eastside, engaging in climate action initiatives, and learning about the heart-mind principles through the Dalai Lama Centre.

  • Two young children outdoors, one wearing a Chinese dragon costume with a large, colourful head and open mouth, smiling and holding its head.

    Culture & Diversity

    We strive to facilitate children’s positive personal and cultural identity by developing awareness, understanding, and appreciation of all the facets that contribute to a healthy sense of one’s self. This includes awareness and understanding of one’s family background, culture, heritage, language, values, beliefs, and perspectives in a pluralistic society. Families are invited to join us for various cultural celebrations and activities throughout the year, or to share something about their family/culture with us.

  • Three children, one sitting on a bench and the other two standing, are looking at a picture book together. The setting appears to be indoors in a cozy room.

    Communication & Literacy

    We understand that children use multiple modes of expressive languages to communicate ideas, participate in relationships, and make meaning in their homes and communities. Children are free to express themselves in a multitude of ways. We provide opportunities for exploring language and literacy through reading stories, and exploring letter recognition and letter sounds through the Fun Family Phonics program. We also explore languages such as French, Spanish, Chinese and Farsi through songs and activities.

  • Firefighter in full gear kneeling and giving high five to young boy inside a building, with another firefighter squatting nearby.

    Community Engagement

    To enrich our curriculum and broaden children’s horizons, we invite a variety of special guests to come and give presentations on different topics. Some of our special guests have included Cinema Zoo, Orphaned Wildlife (O.W.L.), the Bug Lab, Elmer the Safety Elephant, West Van Fire Department and West Van Police Department. 

  • Children working together on a craft project

    Family Engagement

    Throughout the year we hold various activities and events that families are invited to attend such as our Halloween Parade, Winter Holiday Party, Mother’s Day Tea Party, Father’s Day Coffee Party, and the Year End Farewell event for our children leaving for kindergarten.