Wise Owl Day Care Centre

All of our programs explore our local community and immerse themselves in the natural beauty and ever changing environments. During the March break Celeste provided our school age program an opportunity to represent the nature they experience in Pansy Patch Park.

REPRESENTATIONAL ART - During March Break, the School Age Program engaged in representational art inspired by their experiences during a field trip to Pansy Patch Park. While exploring the park, the children were encouraged to observe their surroundings, and I photographed the natural spaces that captured their attention.
Later in the week the children reviewed the photographs together. As a group they thoughtfully shared a conversation about which image they would like to recreate. They collaboratively chose a photograph featuring a crooked tree casting a long shadow across a snow covered trail, marked with footprints, while sunlight beamed through the surrounding trees. Their choice reflected a shared appreciation for the movement, light, and detail captured in the image.
The children explored different art materials to represent the image, oil pastels, acrylic paints, and water colour markers.
As the art developed, it became clear that the children were deeply engaged in observation, interpretation, and creating their representation. Some focused on blending colours to capture the sunlight shining through the trees, while others concentrated on the shapes of the crooked tree or the footprints in the snow. This experience supported their ability to translate visual information into artistic expression.
The children’s art has been added to our program. Each one reflects not only the natural beauty they observed but also their unique perspectives and growing creative skills.�This experience supported learning in many areas, their creativity, collaboration, observation, and self-expression. By working together to select the image and individually representing it, the children demonstrated a sense of belonging and contribution within the group. Their willingness to experiment with different materials and techniques highlighted their engagement and curiosity.

Finland is pioneering a new approach to childhood play by replacing traditional playgrounds with forest soil, and the results are impressive. Within just one year, children exposed to this natural environment showed measurable improvements in immune system function, highlighting the powerful connection between nature and health.

Playing in forest soil introduces children to diverse microbes that help train the immune system. This exposure supports the development of healthy immune responses, reducing the risk of allergies, infections, and other immune-related conditions. Unlike sanitized playground equipment, natural environments provide a rich array of microorganisms that encourage resilience and long-term immune health.

Beyond physical benefits, forest-based play encourages exploration, creativity, and connection with nature. Children develop better motor skills, coordination, and sensory awareness while enjoying a stimulating and dynamic environment. Educators and parents alike have observed happier, more engaged children thriving in these outdoor spaces.

This initiative demonstrates that simple changes to how children interact with their environment can have profound health impacts. By prioritizing natural play spaces, Finland is showing the world that reconnecting children with the outdoors isn’t just fun—it’s an effective, science-backed strategy for boosting immunity and supporting lifelong well-being.

As we head toward the Easter break I wanted to remind everyone that we are closed April 2nd and 3rd and April 6 and 7th. What I forgot about was the celebration of April 1st!! But not to worry, we have a few jokesters among us who never let you forget. See the evidence below....and I am still finding things!!! I am grateful for the comic relief this morning.

We will be back to normal on April 8th and we hope you all enjoy the break and the warmer weather, it is coming!

After driving to work this morning and considering the weather forecast for the rest of the day we have made the decision to close the centre today, March 11, 2026. An email was sent to all of our staff and families earlier this morning.

Our priority is always to consider the safety of our families, children and staff. We hope everyone will be able to stay home and enjoy their children today.

We should be open tomorrow but please watch for updates in your email and on this page. Thanks for your understanding.

Did you know that we receive fundraising from OLG/Delta Bingo. Every month we earn our shares by volunteering our time at the bingo hall. You can help us by volunteering on our behalf for 2 hours. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for Wise Owl please contact our centre at 613-735-2323 or email [email protected].
Delta bingo funds help us cover the cost of our expenses to operate our programs. Thanks in advance for your generous offer of support.

Bundle up and stay warm!
Illustration for “All in a Day”. First published in 1986.

Today is our last day before our holiday closure from December 25th to January 1st. Wishing you all a very safe and restful holiday, from our family at Wise Owl to yours! See you January 2, 2026!

During this holiday season when so much of the focus can be on receiving we try to create authentic experiences of "giving back" for the children. Giving freely creates a very warm and positive emotion.
In our Full Day Kindergarten program they decided to give back to the beautiful natural spaces that they experience throughout the year. They created bird feeders and personally delivered them to the birds who stay for the winter in our community. They experience a sense of generosity, caring, sharing and belonging as they hang the feeders on the trees. It is a small gesture that can create powerful, feel good emotions and memories of kindness that will last a lifetime.

The Christmas spirit arrives in our infant program....

Winter's coming... embrace it! ☃

It is crucial for children to engage in outdoor play ESPECIALLY in cold and snowy conditions.

Contrary to a common misconception, it's not the cold weather that makes us sick but rather viruses that make us sick. In fact, exposure to fresh air and outdoor environments during winter HELPS boost children's immune systems.

Playing outside stimulates physical activity, aiding in overall health and development. Additionally, sunlight exposure, even in colder temperatures, contributes to the production of vitamin D, essential for immune function.

Outdoor play provides a diverse sensory experience and fosters resilience, creativity, and emotional well-being, making it an integral part of children's overall health and development.

There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So make sure you get outside and play!