About Us

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Mission Statement

Since 1978, SWLC has existed to develop and deliver Early Childhood Educational programs that engage mind, body, and spirit through partnerships with children, staff, families, and our community.

Vision Statement

SWLC’s vision is to be a dynamic, quality child care learning centre with a reputation for embracing and appreciating individual interests, strengths, and differences. Our focus on the importance of learning about and taking care of our own environment will lead to our children becoming responsible global citizens. We commit to enriching lives by forming partnerships with Early Childhood teachers, children, families, and the community of Lunenburg County.

Image of the Child

We believe that children are capable, competent, and resilient.

Center Wide Expectations

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Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are in the Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'Kmaq people. We acknowledge and express gratitude to our ancestors for their hard work, dedication and sacrifices, and the historical stories and spiritual beliefs of the Mi'kmaq people.

This summer, Dr. Brussoni and I were able to witness outdoor learning and development in action at SWLC. Dr. Brussoni’s work has taken her to early childhood centres worldwide, including Scandinavia, which is considered the centre of best practice for outdoor play in the early years. Dr. Brussoni considers the practice she witnessed at SWLC to be on par with the best programs she has seen. SWLC’s philosophy of learning in the outdoors, and allowing children to be able to access the outdoors and play in natural spaces for the vast majority of the day, sets it apart from many child care centres in Nova Scotia, Canada, and around the world. Their emphasis on child- directed play, exploration, and risk taking in the outdoors, aligns with the mission of Outdoor Play Canada, and with our own work. SWLC’s commitment to endorsing capable, confident, and curious children aligns with the Nova Scotia early years curriculum framework, and again, is evidence of best practice. Notably, SWLC has developed a community of practice where educators, parents and the wider community all see a role in supporting a quality outdoor play and learning environment. Impressively, SWLC has very thoughtfully created a practice of intentionally documenting children’s learning, particularly highlighting outdoor play.

Dr. Michelle Stone, PhD; Assistant Professor, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University; Associate Research Scholar, Healthy Populations Institute; Scientific Staff, IWK Health Centre; 2019

Dr. Mariana Brussoni, PhD; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia; Investigator, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute; Academic Scientist, BC Injury Research & Prevention Unit; 2019