The Tot Lot

Educator: Naila Chaudhry
Language: English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi
I am a passionate and highly qualified Early Childhood Educator, proud to be licensed with the Inner Garden Education Agency. I hold my Level 3 ECE credential from Bow Valley College and have built a professional career centered on the belief that the early years are the most foundational in a child's life. To provide the highest standard of care, I have earned specialized certifications in Food Safety, Food and Nutrition, and Trauma Awareness, alongside advanced coursework in Brain Development. This scientific understanding of how children’s minds grow allows me to tailor my approach to each child's unique developmental stage. With a solid foundation in First Aid and CPR, I combine deep academic knowledge with a vigilant focus on safety, ensuring a secure and enriching environment for every child.
The Tot Lot: A Place to Grow, Play, and Thrive
At my dayhome, The Tot Lot, I have created a respectable student-centered environment where learning is an interactive adventure. My program is rooted in play-based discovery, intentionally designed to foster sensory and emotional development. By blending a nurturing home atmosphere with high professional standards, I provide a space where your child can develop the social, emotional, and cognitive skills they need for a bright future. A typical day at The Tot Lot includes:
• Practical Life Skills: Children gain independence and confidence through hands-on tasks that mirror real-world activities and build essential motor skills.
• Language & Communication: We build strong literacy foundations through storytelling, rich dialogue, and activities that encourage expressive play.
• Mathematical Thinking: Concepts like counting, patterns, and logic are introduced naturally through games and daily exploration.
• Sensory Exploration: I provide a wide variety of textures and materials to stimulate brain pathways and encourage a natural sense of curiosity.
Summarize this data

AGE Group:
Infants (0–12 months)
Toddlers (1–3 years)
Preschoolers (3–5 years)

Activities:
"A Day in Our Dayhome"
"At our day home, we believe that children learn best through hands-on exploration and purposeful play. Our daily routine is carefully crafted to nurture the whole child by blending sensory exploration with practical life skills. From the quiet focus of mathematical bead work to the expressive joy of language-rich storytelling, every activity is an invitation to discover. We empower our little learners to be independent, curious, and confident by providing a 'prepared environment' where they can master real-world tasks and develop a lifelong love for learning."
🛠️ Specific Activities:
Sensory Exploration
Focus: Refining the five senses and brain development.
• Textured Trays: Exploring sand, water, or "moon dough" to develop tactile awareness.
• Color Grading: Sorting objects or toys from darkest to lightest and sort by colours to sharpen visual perception.
Practical Life Skills
Focus: Coordination, independence, and fine motor skills.
• Self-Care Stations: Practice with zippers, buttons, and "dressing frames."
• Food Preparation: Safe tasks like peeling a banana or pouring water from a small pitcher.
• Environmental Care: Watering plants, cleaning toy shelves, and learning to "restore" a workspace after an activity.
Language & Communication
Focus: Vocabulary, phonics, and self-expression.
• Letters: Tracing the shapes of letters to connect physical movement with phonetic sounds.
• Object Boxes: Matching small figurines like a tiny "cat" with mother cat or with their written labels or starting sounds.
• Story Circles: Interactive reading sessions that encourage children to predict what happens next.
Mathematics & Logic
Focus: Counting, quantity, and spatial awareness.
• Number Rods: Visualizing the difference between "long" and "short" or measurements.
• Spindle Boxes: Associating the numeral (the written symbol) with the correct physical quantity.
• Geometric Solids: Identifying 3D shapes (cubes, spheres, pyramids) through touch and sight.

At our day home, we believe every child deserves to feel like a star! We make birthdays an unforgettable milestone by hosting a special party for every student, complete with festive balloons, a delicious cake, and plenty of cheers to ensure they feel truly celebrated on their big day. Beyond individual milestones, we take great pride in our multicultural heart. We embrace and celebrate the beautiful diversity of our families by honoring a wide range of cultural and religious traditions—from the magic of Christmas and the joy of Eid to the vibrant lights of Diwali. By observing these special days together, we create an inclusive environment where every child feels represented, respected, and at home.

Program Hour:
Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM