Orillia Central
Preschool
Voted Orillia’s Best Daycare
Serving the Community for over 30 years.
Canada Wide Early Learning Child Care (CWELCC) approved childcare organization
Healthy Meals
Educators provide positive learning experiences during mealtimes, encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits.
Programs
Orillia Central Preschool believes that children are competent, capable of complex thinking, curious, and rich in potential.
Welcome to
Orillia Central Preschool!
Come Visit Us
Orillia Central Preschool, Orchard Park
24 Calverley Street, Orillia, ON L3V 3T4
705 327-2764
This location is licensed for 139 children per day. 10 Infants, 23 Toddlers and 24 Preschoolers can now attend this childcare centre and seamlessly transition directly to Orchard Park Elementary School if they are in this catchment area.
Orillia Central Preschool, South
255 Oxford Street, Orillia, ON L3V 1H6
705 259-6600
OCP South is licensed for 105 children per day. 10 Infants, 15 Toddlers and 24 Preschoolers can now attend this childcare centre and seamlessly transition directly to St Bernard’s Catholic Elementary School if they are in this catchment area.
Orillia Central Preschool, North
547 Laclie Street, Orillia, ON L3V 4R2
705 327-5764
Our North location is licensed for 56 children per day. This stand alone site is home to 3 Infants, 15 Toddlers and 38 Preschoolers daily.
All our Centres operate Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:00pm. Our Orchard Park and South location run before and after school programs, PA day care, and school break care for children from 4 years of age to 12 years old.
Our Pre-School. Our Family. Our Community
Orillia Central Preschool is a not for profit, charitable organization that has been working with the families and children of Orillia since 1994. We began our journey in the historical Orillia Central School building in downtown Orillia and now operate in three locations throughout the city.
Orillia Central Preschool understands the profoundly important role that family plays in the developmental, emotional, and cognitive growth of a child. We believe that our families are the most valuable resource in our organization.
Along with our families, we believe that our community and our children’s relationship with the community is very important. OCP works together with local elementary and secondary schools to showcase our children’s theories and ideas. We enjoy our relationships with local homes for the aged, visiting and sharing stories and experiences.
We believe our children have an incredible impact on our community and participate in different initiatives. Our children have been featured in the Ontario Forestry magazine for their contribution to planting trees in Orillia.
“…But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood,”
Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers.
Reading/Writing
Children require many opportunities to hear spoken language to understand sounds and words.
Listening and interpreting songs, stories and rhymes is the beginning of early literacy.
Math/Science
About 90% of a child’s critical brain development occurs before the age of 5 years. The early years are the ideal time to introduce science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to our children through fun activities like building with blocks, sculpting with play dough and experimenting with water and sand.
Creative Expression
Allowing children to manipulate different mediums like paint, markers, colours and clay provide them with ways to explore their feelings and emotions.
These activities include dance and drama and build on children’s social and emotional well being.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pause, think and respond. Providing our children with ample opportunities to develop ideas and opinions through fun activities like “I Spy”, “Find the Hidden Object”, guessing games and puzzles.
Do children have to wear masks?
Children in our childcare centres from ages 4 weeks to 4 years of age are not required to wear masks. Children attending our school age programs are required to mask while attending any of our Centres.
What time do I bring my child in for the day?
OCP opens at 6:30am for families that have an early start to their day. Generally, we ask that all children be at our Centre by 9:00am. This allows the children to participate in our full program, with ample time to explore the daily activities prepared by our professional educators.
Do you have any special Covid-19 protocols in place?
- OCP strictly adheres to all Public Health and Ministry of Education mandates. As these guidelines change, so do our protocols. All staff are required to wear personal protective equipment while on site. This includes medical grade face masks and safety goggles or face shields.
- OCP has implemented a vaccine mandate policy and our staff participate in a voluntary Rapid Antigen Testing program 2 times per week.
- We have enhanced cleaning protocols in effect, ensuring all high touch surfaces are sanitized multiple times throughout the day.
- Full details of Covid protocols can be requested through your Program Supervisor
Can families come in the schools?
- OCP has implemented a drop off and pick up system where families are to call the Centre upon arrival and a staff member will review their Covid Screening and bring their child into the school. At pick up time, the family is to call the Centre upon arrival and a staff member will collect their child and deliver them to the parent at the front door.
- Any in school visits from families must be scheduled in advance with the Program Supervisor. A separate screening will be done and personal protective wear must be worn.
- Full details of Covid protocols can be requested through your Program Supervisor.
When do I receive my Invoice and how do I pay?
- OCP invoices families for one month in advance of care. Families will be emailed an invoice within the first week of the month and payment is due by the 20th of the same month.
- Payment can be made by e-transfer to ocp@rogers.com
- Alternate payment arrangements must be discussed with your Program Supervisor.
Do you accept subsidy?
Yes, OCP has a contract with the County of Simcoe for subsidized families.
What happens if my child gets sick while at childcare?
If your child develops a fever, vomits or has 2 bouts of diarrhea we will contact you or someone on your registration form to come and pick your child up as soon as possible. Your child is not allowed to return to care until they are symptom free for 24 hours. During an outbreak, the exclusion period is 48 hours, unless we are advised differently from Public Health.
What is the ratio of children to educators?
- Infant: 3 children to 1 adult
- Toddler: 5 children to 1 adult
- Preschool: 8 children to 1 adult
- Junior Kindergarten/Snr Kindergarten: 13 children to 1 educator
- School age over 6 yrs of age: 15 children to 1 educator
Can I request a specific OCP location for my child to attend?
Absolutely. We do place our children on one waiting list to ensure that families have more opportunities to access care from 3 Centres, but there is no obligation to take any space.
Do I get any vacation days during the year?
All families receive the equivalent of 2 weeks vacation based on their schedules. If a child comes 3 days per week, they are entitled to 6 days vacation; if a child attends 5 days per week, they are entitled to 10 vacation days.
Is there a waiting list and how long is it?
Waiting list times vary from year to year. As a general rule, you should seek childcare 12 to 18 months in advance of needing care.
If I say no to a childcare space, do I stay on the wait list?
Yes, you can stay on the wait list but you will be moved to the end of the list.
If my child is scheduled to attend childcare but is sick, do I still have to pay?
Yes, you are required to pay for sick days.
Do I pay for Statutory Holidays?
If your child normally attends on the day of the week that the statutory holiday falls, then yes you will be charged.
How much time do the children spend outside?
Our children go outside everyday, weather permitting. Outdoors is the best place for our children to be. Unless the weather falls below -25 C or it is thunderstorming outside, we explore our natural surroundings. Please ensure you dress your children accordingly.
What Our Families are Saying
