The Children's Hours Playgroup was such a wonderful experience for my two year-old son. He had been home with me up to that point, and I wasn't sure how he would take to a drop-off program. But I needn't have worried. The playgroup teachers, Sandy and Karen, are so very kind and attuned to the children. They truly understand children of this age group, and do a phenomenal job of caring for them, even while encouraging them to explore and grow as individual little people. With a teacher-child ratio of one to three, all of the children get plenty of attention. The atmosphere is relaxed and the space is cosy and warm - just the right size for small children. They go outside every day to play, weather-permitting. They do lots of creative activities - nature play, crafts using natural materials, baking - all of which give the kids a chance to develop manual dexterity as well as social skills. The children learn about sharing, negotiation, and helping one another in such a supportive environment. I was so happy to see my son really begin to form bonds with the other children over the course of that year. He is still very close to one of the other boys from playgroup, and they often proudly talk about how they've been friends since they were two. I can't imagine a gentler introduction to the world of school than the Children's Hours Playgroup. I would (and do) recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone with a two year old child. read more