Daily Routine

Buddings is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am – 4pm on Saturdays. Late enough to cover an evening yoga class after work, or until your partner gets home from downtown. We are closed on all BC stat holidays, though, and for a week at Christmas time. Check our Google Calendar for closures, snacks, and special events.

With kids coming and going at all hours, and an age range between 18 months and 5 years, there are some special circumstances to consider when planning an educational curriculum. We choose a monthly topic and plan activities to get kids exploring the concept through art, music, stories, science, cooking, and imaginative play. At the same time, we’re always open to hearing what they’d like to do. Some kids are really into hippos. Let’s make one! Sometimes a group of kids wants to do yoga, and we’re down with that, too.

There’s no way to know what direction their imaginations will take us until we get there, but if you’re ever wondering what they got up to, just ask them! Or check out the Projects Page of the website. 😉

Instead, regular contact with families allows us to work with guardians and Buddies to give each one the special attention that will help them to progress at their own rate, and in their own direction. And, of course, your child’s backpack will be full of the arts and crafts that they’ll be creating everyday!

Each week, nine of our favourite creations will be selected for display on our website, with the child’s first name and age.

We take hundreds of photos each month and we send a selection of them to the families of the children who attended. These are primarily taken during group activities, at the snack table, or for display in the centre. On occasion, for marketing or promotional purposes, we may approach families for consent to publish a specific image of their child. This will happen only after receiving written consent, and does not cover any other photos than the one requested.

There is no “nap time” in our day because Buddies leave and arrive at variable times, but if families request it, or if we feel that a child could really use some down time, we’ll set them up with a cot, blanket and sheet in the nap room. A teacher will usually stay with the child for at least a 30 minute rest time, or until they fall asleep.

Snack Hours at Buddings are at 10am and 3pm. Buddings Daily Snacks are nutritious and delicious, and extra fun to eat because our Buddies help us make them. We use organic, locally-sourced products, and/or seasonal ingredients, many of which are grown here in BC.

Our snacks will always include at least two food groups, and will take into account the allergies and dietary needs of everyone at the centre. Opting in for the Daily Snacks costs $2, billed to the Incidental Invoice and payable on the 25th of the month. Water and cups are always available.

You know what your child will and won’t eat, and families are always welcome to send along a snack or meal, in a labeled container that can be washed and reused. A microwave is available for warming food from home and all instructions will be followed. Choking hazardous items, such as peanuts, hard candies, etc., should be avoided. Grapes, carrots, and hotdogs should be sliced lengthwise.

We do not cook with or provide peanuts to children in the centre however, we do not have a policy prohibiting nuts in Buddies’ lunches. If this changes, families will be informed.

Sometimes, depending on our daily inspirational topic, we may even ask everyone to bring in a special item. These are to be shared with the group, and put away in the cubbies when it’s time to do something else. Items from home should be appropriate for children aged 2 and up, and should not have a violent suggestion. Please do not bring video games or devices of any kind to Buddings.

Buddings supplies environmentally-friendly options for most daily needs, including soaps, diapers, wipes, etc. We will also aim to have extra clothes available for loan in case of accidents. If your child is prone to such occurrences, do try to plan ahead.

The cubbies at the entrance of the centre are shared and cleaned regularly. This is where our Buddies can hang their coats, and keep their treasures. Every time you arrive, please be sure to sign the attendance sheet, change from outside shoes to inside shoes, and make sure you have all of the following: 

• A reusable, labelled bottle of water
• Snack(s) in a labelled, reusable container, if needed
• Indoor shoes with gripping soles
• Clothes suitable for exploring and experimenting
• Extra/specific supplies, if needed
• Any medications necessary, in original labeled package, with directions included – a signed, dated, consent form will be required for staff members to administer drugs of any kind
• Thinking caps and healthy imaginations