Business Details
Nurturing Early Childhood Education in Barrie
Koalaroo Preschool provides a safe, developmentally appropriate environment for toddlers and preschool children, focusing on stimulating early care and educational experiences. Our programs promote social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development through teacher- and child-directed activities, fostering a positive self-image and lifelong learning. With small class sizes and experienced staff, we prioritize individualized attention, collaboration with parents, and a nurturing atmosphere.Our curriculum includes structured learning, play-based exploration, and nutritious meals prepared on-site by a professional chef. We serve families in Barrie, Ontario, offering tailored programs for children aged 18 months to 5 years.
Services
Possums Program
Joeys Program
Wallabies Program
Summer Program
Catering Services
Highlights and features
- We offer small class sizes with individualized attention for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Our experienced educators hold certifications in early childhood education and first aid.
- On-site chef provides nutritious, globally inspired meals and snacks daily.
- We integrate structured learning with play-based activities for holistic development.
- Parent collaboration is prioritized to meet each child's unique needs.
What people say
Amazing teachers
Thrived socially
Nutritious meals
Nurturing environment
Significant progress
Services
Possums Program
Structured preschool program for toddlers aged 18 months to 2.5 years. Focuses on gross motor skills, fine motor skills, socialization, and language development through play-based activities. Maximum class size of 5 students with one teacher ensures personalized attention.
Joeys Program
Educational program for children aged 2.5 to 3.8 years. Emphasizes language, mathematics, fine motor skills, and socialization. Maintains a 15:2 student-teacher ratio to balance group learning with individualized instruction.
Wallabies Program
Curriculum for children aged 3.8 to 5 years. Introduces Jolly Phonics and Magic 100 Words literacy programs, basic math concepts, and science/geography topics. Class size limited to 13 students with one teacher for focused skill development.
Summer Program
Themed summer activities for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Includes weekly themes like Ocean Week, Camping Week, and Arts & Crafts. Provides nutritious meals, outdoor play, and structured learning experiences in a fun environment.
Catering Services
On-site chef prepares healthy, globally inspired meals and snacks daily. Menu includes diverse flavors beyond standard daycare fare, with accommodations for allergies and dietary restrictions. Promotes adventurous eating habits through fresh, homemade dishes.
People
Annie Meechan
Director / Joey Teacher
Certified early childhood educator with extensive experience in child development. Leads Koalaroo's programs, emphasizing personalized care, parent collaboration, and holistic learning through structured and play-based activities.
Steve
Head Chef
Professional chef responsible for Koalaroo's nutritious, globally inspired meals. Develops menus that introduce children to diverse flavors while meeting dietary needs and promoting healthy eating habits.
Cheryl Galipeau
Supply Teacher
Certified early childhood educator with first aid and food safety training. Provides flexible teaching support across programs, ensuring continuity of care and educational quality.
Isabel Medeiros
Wallaby Teacher
Experienced educator specializing in preschool curriculum. Focuses on literacy, numeracy, and social skills development while fostering a love for learning through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
Mischa Foreshew
Joey Teacher
Dedicated early childhood educator committed to creating a nurturing environment for young learners. Implements structured yet flexible teaching methods to support individual growth and classroom engagement.
Questions
What age groups does Koalaroo Preschool serve?
We serve children aged 18 months to 5 years through our Possums, Joeys, and Wallabies programs, each tailored to specific developmental stages.
What is Koalaroo's approach to child development?
We combine structured learning with play-based activities to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development in a nurturing, individualized environment.
Are meals provided at Koalaroo Preschool?
Yes, our on-site chef prepares nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily, featuring globally inspired dishes and accommodating dietary restrictions.
What are the class sizes at Koalaroo?
Possums class has 5 students with 1 teacher; Joeys class has 15 students with 2 teachers; Wallabies class has 13 students with 1 teacher.
Is there a summer program available?
Yes, our themed summer program runs weekly from July to August, offering educational activities, outdoor play, and special events for children aged 18 months to 6 years.
How does Koalaroo communicate with parents?
We maintain open communication through daily updates, parent-teacher conferences, and a secure online portal for real-time information access.
Reviews (4)
Katie Celsie
Sep 06, 2019
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Koalaroo is so amazing! They taught my daughters so much and I’m so happy they got to experience this amazing preschool! Can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for my girl
Mindy Primeau
Jun 17, 2019
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We could not be happier with our daughter’s two years of experience at Koalaroo. The owners, Annie and Steve, and their staff have provided a warm and inviting educational environment. There are reports to mark your child’s success and family friendly activities such as Christmas concerts, Family Fun Days and Mother’s Day Tea. We are excited that our child will walk confidently into JK this fall because of the staff at Koalaroo.
Steve Primeau
Jun 17, 2019
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Highly recommend Koalaroo! Our daughter is just completing her second school year plus summer camps and we couldn’t be happier with the staff and the programming!
Jen Na
Jun 10, 2019
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I cannot say enough nice things about Koalaroo Preschool. It is a huge relief to know that my kids are well taken care of each day by a preschool that has very high quality standards. They treated us as if we were family from day one and cared for our children as if they were their own. I recommended Koalaroo Preschool to all of my friends and… family who are looking for child care arrangements because to me there is no other facility in Barrie that I would want to raise my children.
Koalaroo Preschool is clean, there is a great backyard, and chef Steve feeds them a variety of healthy meals
Koalaroo Preschool is clean, there is a great backyard, and chef Steve feeds them a variety of healthy meals
