Education Centre

Our Education-First Mindset

At Thistle & Tots, we believe play and learning go hand in hand. Rooted in the philosophy that every child learns best through curiosity, connection, and creativity, our Education-First Mindset is designed to nurture foundational skills while fostering a lifelong love of learning.

We know that early education shapes confident, capable learners, and our programs are built to meet each child where they are, helping them grow through guided discovery, structured support, and joyful play.

A Village of Learning & Support

At Thistle & Tots Play Café & Education Centre, education isn’t just about academics, it’s about community, confidence, and curiosity. We believe in building a true village of support around every child, where learning feels joyful, inclusive, and full of possibility.

Early Learning Intervention (Ages 2–5)

Our Early Learning Intervention Plans are thoughtfully created to give young children the strong foundation they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Through small-group, play-based learning and personalized attention, we focus on developing:

  • Language & Communication Skills – vocabulary growth, expressive speech, and listening comprehension

  • Early Literacy Foundations – letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and storytelling through play

  • Pre-Math Concepts – counting, sorting, patterning, and number sense

  • Fine & Gross Motor Development – movement-based learning, hand-eye coordination, and sensory activities

  • Social & Emotional Readiness – sharing, turn-taking, emotional expression, and problem-solving

Each child receives a personalized learning plan tailored to their developmental needs — empowering them with the tools, confidence, and curiosity to thrive in early education settings.

Tutoring & Academic Support (Ages 5–10)

For children already in school, Thistle & Tots offers tutoring sessions and supplemental learning support across a variety of subjects.

Our certified educators and skilled tutors provide individualized instruction to strengthen academic skills, boost confidence, and encourage a positive relationship with learning.

We offer one-on-one or small group sessions in:

  • Reading & Writing

  • Math Foundations & Problem Solving

  • Science Exploration

  • French Language Support

  • Study Skills & Homework Help

Whether your child needs extra guidance in specific subjects or a confidence boost to reach their full potential, our tutoring sessions provide the caring, structured support they deserve.

Daily Rotating Enrichment Classes (Ages 2-4)

Our weekday enrichment classes bring learning to life through hands-on, themed experiences designed to spark imagination and curiosity.

Schedule:

  • Monday – French Fun: Language through games, songs, and conversation

  • Tuesday – Science Explorers: Hands-on experiments and discovery learning

  • Wednesday – Math Masters: Interactive problem-solving and number games

  • Thursday – English & Literacy: Reading, writing, and creative storytelling

  • Friday – Body Movement & Mindfulness: Yoga, dance, and physical play to promote coordination and confidence

Each class runs at 9:30am, followed by 30 minutes of supervised playtime to reinforce social learning and connection.

Spots are limited to 10 children per class to ensure quality instruction and personalized attention. Classes operate on a monthly rotation, allowing children to explore new skills, make friends, and learn in a fun, supportive environment.