Business Details
48 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care & Early Learning in Essex
Since 1978, Story Book Early Learning Centre Early Learning Centre has been a trusted provider of early childhood education and care in Essex, Ontario. Our center offers structured, play-based learning programs for children from infancy through 12 years old, designed to foster independence, creativity, and social development. Our team of qualified educators follows the Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) framework, creating developmentally appropriate curricula that adapt to children's interests and needs. As a registered charitable organization, we maintain affordable fees through government grants and community donations while adhering to strict licensing standards under the Child Care & Early Years Act, 2014. Our board of directors includes parents and community members who collaborate to ensure continuous program improvement.We maintain full compliance with health and safety regulations and offer a unique money-back guarantee for parent satisfaction. Our facility features dedicated spaces for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, with two locations serving the Essex community. Through purposeful play and structured routines, we cultivate environments where children develop intellectual, social, and emotional skills. Our commitment to quality care and community partnership has earned us recognition as an award-winning child care provider. We maintain transparent communication with families through regular newsletters and open house events.
Services
Infant Care
Toddler Programs
Preschool Education
School-Age Programs
Latch Key Program
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We employ certified early childhood educators using the ELECT framework
- Our curriculum combines structured learning with child-led play exploration
- Community board includes parent representatives for program oversight
- Affordable fees maintained through government grants and donations
- Licensed under Ontario's Child Care & Early Years Act, 2014
Associations and certifications
- Ministry of Education
Services
Infant Care
Our infant care program provides a nurturing environment for babies aged 0-18 months. Certified caregivers follow individualized routines for feeding, sleeping, and developmental activities. We focus on sensory exploration and early motor skill development through safe, stimulating activities.
Toddler Programs
Designed for 18-36 month olds, our toddler programs encourage independence through structured play and social interaction. Daily activities promote language development, fine motor skills, and basic social concepts in a secure, engaging environment.
Preschool Education
Our preschool curriculum prepares 3-5 year olds for formal schooling through play-based learning. We emphasize literacy, numeracy, and social skills development while maintaining flexibility to follow children's interests and learning styles.
School-Age Programs
For children aged 6-12, our school-age programs offer homework support, recreational activities, and supervised social interaction. We provide transportation to Essex Public School and maintain extended hours during school breaks.
Latch Key Program
Our Latch Key Program at Essex Public School offers supervised care for school-age children before regular school hours. The program includes breakfast service, quiet activities, and transportation assistance to classrooms.
People
Donna Hedrick
Executive Director
Donna Hedrick, a Registered Early Childhood Educator, leads our center with over 25 years of experience in early childhood development. She oversees program implementation, staff training, and community partnerships while maintaining direct involvement in daily operations.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We provide care for infants (0-18 months), toddlers (18-36 months), preschoolers (3-5 years), and school-age children up to 12 years old.
Are your staff certified educators?
All our educators are certified professionals holding current credentials including Registered Early Childhood Educator (R.E.C.E.) and Early Childhood Educator Registered Teacher (E.C.E.R.T.).
How do you handle child health concerns?
We follow strict health protocols including daily wellness checks, illness isolation procedures, and immediate parent notification for any health concerns. Our staff maintains current first aid certifications.
What curriculum framework do you use?
Our programs follow the Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) framework, combining structured learning with child-directed play to support holistic development.
Do you offer flexible scheduling?
We operate Monday-Friday from 6:00am-6:00pm with recommended maximum daily attendance of 9 hours. We provide before-school care through our Latch Key Program.
How are fees determined?
As a non-profit organization, our fees are set according to government guidelines and maintained at affordable levels through community donations and operating grants.
