Frequently Asked Questions
Here, we have answered some of the most common questions we get from parents about our school, programs offered and the staff. You will also be able to find information related to the registration process and the typical forms you would need. However, if you have any other questions, please reach out to us for a consultation and to also book a guided tour of our school.
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Q. Should My Child Be Potty Trained Before He/She Can Attend?
Not at all! We’ve been number one in the number two business for over two decades! We do ask, however, that if your child is not potty trained, they have a spare set of clothes and a spare diaper, if applicable, in their knapsack. If your child is in the process of training, we try to continue what’s being done at home, while the child is at school, in an attempt to provide them with a sense of consistency.
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Q. Is The School Licensed?
Yes, Colwell Nursery School & Kindergarten is licensed and in good standing with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.
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Q. What Is The Teacher-to-student Ratio at Colwell?
The Ministry requires a minimum ratio of 8:1 in relation to groups of children within the range of 30 months to 5 years old. However, the Colwell Nursery School & Kindergarten exceeds that minimum ratio, typically hovering around 6:1.
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Q. My Child Is Allergic to Peanuts. Is Colwell a Nut-free Centre?
Yes. No peanut or tree nut products are permitted at the school at any time. Policies and procedures in relation to allergies and anaphylaxis are contained in the Colwell Nursery School anaphylactic policy document.
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Q. When Does Registration Begin?
Colwell Nursery School & Kindergarten operates in parallel to the public school system, from September to June each year. Student registration typically occurs in the January-February time frame for the upcoming school year, commencing each September. However, children are welcome to begin at any time during the school year provided space is available.
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Q. How Do I Register?
You’ve already taken the first step by visiting us online and learning a little bit about who we are and what we do here at Colwell. You’re probably here by referral from a friend or neighbour and may already be somewhat familiar with Colwell. However, the best way to know that this is the right place for your child is to experience the programme first hand. If you haven’t already, contact us to book an appointment to visit the school and take a tour. Please plan to bring your child along with you. This is their opportunity to explore and discover their classroom, their teachers, and their classmates. They learn that school is a safe place and a fun place, and it helps to smooth the transition on their first big day.
Enrollment forms are included as part of our registration package available here in softcopy format as well as outside the school office in hardcopy format. The registration package contains an updated price list and programme information relating to the current and/or upcoming school year. Applicable forms should be filled out and returned to us prior to your child’s first day, accompanied by post-dated cheques from September 1st to June 1st. Cheques will be deposited on the first of each month as the school year progresses. -
Q. Where Will My Child Be Placed?
Children between the ages of 2 and 44 months are placed in our nursery school classroom on the lower level and those of junior and senior kindergarten age on the main level. In doing so, we are able to maintain good peer groups in each classroom.
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Q. What Will My Child Need on His/Her First Day of School?
Your child should bring a bag or knapsack to school each day to carry home creative work. A change of clothing should be included for children who have occasional “accidents”. We request that indoor shoes be left at school, which are worn in the classroom on rainy or snowy days. No sandals, flip flops, slippers or Crocs™ please. Children will need appropriate footwear for Phys. Ed.
Labelling of Belongings – Please label all clothing, including coats, boots, hats and mittens.
Medication – Please do not send medication unless pre-arranged with staff. Colwell has special procedures in place in relation to EpiPens® and asthma inhalers. Please ask a staff member for further details if your child has either. -
Q. What Is Your Policy Regarding School Closures Due To Poor Weather?
In over 20 years of operation, Colwell Nursery School & Kindergarten has not closed due to weather. However, in the case of extreme circumstances, notification of closure will be made to affected families by telephone and/or email, in addition to being posted on our website.
Malcolm McColl
A student of Colwell Nursery School from 1993 to 1994, Malcolm McColl has gone on to accomplish great things since attending our programme. At 16 years of age, he is the youngest member of the Canadian World Bridge Team, placed among the most talented players in the world. His performance in a bridge game held in Thailand, along with his inspiring attitude, has earned Malcolm a spot on the team for the next several years. In addition to playing bridge, he is also an honour student at Pine Ridge Secondary School and finds the time to involve himself in a variety of sports and other extracurricular activities.
Future aspirations? Malcolm has his sights set on university, and later, possibly a career in medicine or engineering. Expect to continue seeing great things from Malcolm in the years to come. Congratulations Malcolm, we’re proud to be a small part of your success.
Kendra Armstrong
A student of Colwell Nursery School from 1998 to 2001, Kendra Armstrong has gone on to accomplish great things since attending our programme. At 11 years of age, she is already an accomplished singer and actress, exuding the talent and confidence of a performer well beyond her years. Her résumé boasts oodles of wonderful experiences, including singing at various charity events, community venues, festivals in the arts, and live interviews with Rogers. Among the most prestigious events was an invitation to participate in the Mayor’s Gala this past year. With great effort comes great reward, and Kendra’s treasure of awards and certificates continues to grow with each stage she graces. Aside from singing, she finds herself placed on the honour roll in her grade 6 class and also finds the time to dabble in acting and socialize with her friends.
Future aspirations? Kendra has her sights set on university, and later, possibly a career in law. Certainly, her experience in front of large audiences will one day serve her well in the courtroom. Regardless of which path she chooses, expect to continue seeing great things from Kendra in the years to come. Congratulations Kendra, we’re proud to be a small part of your success!
Benjamin Hall
A student of Colwell Nursery School from 2001 to 2002, Benjamin Hall has gone on to accomplish great things since attending our programme. At 8 years of age, he is already well on his way to building a successful writing career, having recently won Ajax Library Services’ “Quest for Heroes” Short Story Contest. Ben’s grade 3 submission, a 500-word short story about an environmentally conscious crusader named Bio-De-Great, took top honours as Best of Contest. The contest drew entries from Ajax elementary students, from junior kindergarten all the way up to grade 8. The mayor presented Ben with his prize during an evening recognition ceremony. Besides writing terrific short stories, how else does Ben spend his spare time? Ben is an avid reader, a talented pianist, and a fantastically nimble shortstop on his baseball team.
Future aspirations? Not surprisingly, Ben has his sights set on becoming an author, although his artistic skills continue to develop and may take him in other directions. Regardless of which path he chooses, expect to continue seeing great things from Ben in the years to come. Congratulations Ben, we’re proud to be a small part of your success.
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