Learning & Teaching Hubs

In 2021 the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario was awarded a 1-million-dollar grant from an anonymous funder to participate in a five-year outdoor research project.

The project involves eight YMCA child care centres from across the country participating in outdoor training, professional development, and research. These YMCA centres include:

Sprouts Child care centre: Vancouver, British Columbia
YMCA Cantiro Child Care: Edmonton, Alberta
John Miller Child Development Centre: Medicine Hat, Alberta
YMCA Child Care Sutherland: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Building Blocks on Balmoral: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Cobourg YMCA: Northumberland, Ontario
YMCA of Greater Moncton: Moncton, New Brunswick
Indian Creek Child Care: Chatham, Ontario

These centres (referred to as Learning and Teaching Hubs) get in-depth online module training based on the latest research in outdoor pedagogy and play. Throughout their journey Educators are asked to reflect on past basis’, participate in activities to reframe their thinking and engage with parents and the community.

Learning and Teaching Hubs create opportunities for colleges, community members, ECE placement students and professors to learn together at a child care centre with the most innovative and experienced early learning professionals in outdoor education.

As we learn and grow we will offer more YMCA child cares across the country this amazing opportunity to become experts in outdoor pedagogy. This impact across Canada will support the mental, physical, social and emotional well-being of the next generation of children.

Cobourg YMCA – Northumberland, Ontario

The YMCA Northumberland Cobourg child care centre is a small centre with just one toddler and preschool classroom. These children and educators have the rare opportunity of being situated on the Cobourg conservation area. This beautiful outdoor space lends itself to interesting wildlife and natural experiences. Children are encouraged to explore their landscape on every occasion and in all weather conditions.

Indian Creek Child Care – Chatham, Ontario

Indian Creek Child Care opened in September 2021 with three classrooms ages Infant to Preschool. With a yard that encourages creative play and risk-taking, a focus on loose parts and moveable equipment has been encouraged. This centre has worked hard to incorporate plants into their environments both indoors and out, this is very visible in their flourishing gardens. With mild Southern Ontario winters, they are blessed to be outdoors most days, some infants even nap outdoors! News release on the Outdoor Lab at St. Clair

YMCA Cantiro Child Care – Edmonton,
Alberta

Cantiro childcare facility, supports children from infant to pre-kinder. They take great pride in providing a nurturing and engaging environment for children. This site is thoughtfully designed to accommodate various learning activities and promote overall development. In particular, they embrace the value of outdoor play, and the expansive outdoor space is equipped with diverse play areas, encouraging children to explore, create and connect with nature.

Sutherland YMCA Child Care – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Outdoor play is the essence of freedom. It breathes life into all areas of one`s self. It is a journey to be explored, nurtured, and brough about in children`s lives. The YMCA of Saskatoon embraces the beautiful, vibrant space that we can create in our large yard, that is featured in a residential area of our community. At our Sutherland location we have the privilege of providing for 35 children. The children enjoy spending their time in the variety of play areas that have been created.

Sprouts Early Childhood Centre – Vancouver, British Columbia

Sprouts Early Childhood Centre on the top floor of this building, offers a unique rooftop outdoor space to children. They host three programs in this facility, including infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Each classroom has its own outdoor space full of garden beds for children to experience nature, including an apple tree!

On the rooftop this site experiences all weather extremes from warm weather to wind, rain and snow a little more than the average outdoor space in Vancouver. This does not stop the children or educators from spending time and enjoying themselves outside in all weather.

Building Blocks on Balmoral – Winnipeg,
Manitoba

Building Blocks on Balmoral is a 100-space infant and preschool centre located in Winnipeg. This centre is uniquely built around a heritage house, that is over 100 years old! Located in an old growth neighbourhood, next to the Assiniboine River and within walking distance to the Historic Forks, there is so much to explore for the educators and children at this centre.

We love going outside, with all age groups, and in all weather! Yes, even -30, it’s Manitoba after all!

YMCA Child Care Minesing – Minesing,
Ontario

YMCA Child Care Minesing is located in Minesing Central Public School, just outside the city of Barrie. "The village" of Minesing has a rich farming history and is home to more than 6000 hectares of wetlands. The Child Care Center is licensed for Toddler, Preschool and School Aged children. The children and educators regularly enjoy exploring the extensive school grounds with access to a forested area, large fields, fruit trees and a community pavilion. Gardening is a yearly project and children are encouraged to care for and harvest the vegetables and spices.

John Miller Child Development Centre – Medicine Hat, Alberta

The John Miller Child Development centre cares for children ages primary to kindergarten. The outdoor play space provides the children with an opportunity to become fearless and confident explorers of their world. When kids run, jump climb and splash they are connecting with nature, their bodies and building skills that will have a long-term impact on their growth and wellbeing. As an educator it is important that the outdoor space is an engaging environment that allows children to explore a sense of wonder in the real world.