The Observation Nursery is located on the 5th floor, Room 544 of Concordia's Library Building. It includes a nursery room, an observation room and a parent seminar room.
Our Philosophy
At Concordia University's Observation Nursery we attempt to give Roots and Wings to your child by providing a secure, nurturing environment full of interesting, stimulating materials to explore.
The 'Roots' of this experience are acquired through the development of a strong sense of self by recognizing each child as a unique individual with special needs, desires, and abilities. We establish a collaborative environment with routines that give children a sense of security.
Children sprout 'Wings' at our nursery separating gently from their parents and becoming independent persons with their own identities. Children have many opportunities to choose activities for themselves, to decide what they want to do and how they are going to do it. We encourage children to do as much for themselves as possible, giving them as much independence as they are ready for. They are encouraged to dress themselves (with our help if needed) and to assist at dean-up time.
Laboratory School
The Observation Nursery is part of the Department of Education at Concordia University. It is a model school with an enriched program that promotes the growth and development of young children. At the moment, two education courses use the nursery on a regular basis. Tuesday mornings, students in the observation course (Educ 297) spend a good deal of time watching the nursery in action.
The education department has a commitment to shared parent-teacher participation in the education of their children. On Thursday mornings, the Parenthood Studies course (Educ 264) helps students to increase their sensitivity to the role of parents. Each class, the students spend a part of the morning in the observation room watching the children as they play. There is an one hour seminar led by a university instructor, where parents and students discuss their observations of the children.
Parent Discussion Group
As this program is designed for parents who wish to be involved in their child's education, one parent (or both) must be willing to participate in the Thursday morning sessions.
Documentation & Curriculum Development
In the Observation Nursery, the teachers use abservational techniques, photographs, video-and-audio-recordings, and authentic work samples to document children's learning processes. The curriculum is an emergent one, where projects are the main instructional method. Documentation panels are used to inform parents and student teachers about children's project work. The panels are also an invitation for parents to become involved in children's learning experiences and serve as visual representations of children's learning.
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building a market |
exploring trucks |
Nursery Room
The Observation Nursery is located on the 5th floor, Room 544 of Concordia's Library Buiding, 1400 de Maisonneuve Blvd.,west near the Guy-Concordia Metro. It includes a nursery room, an observation room and a parent seminar room.
Observation Room
The observation room is a small narrow room in between the nursery and the seminar room. A one way glass permits the unique opportunity of observing without being seen.
Parent Seminar Room
Every Thursday morning, there is a discussion period for the parents in the parent seminar room. Parents, with a qualified instructor and students discuss various issues related to child reading.
Program length
The preschool runs from the middle September to the end of May, three mornings a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Age of Child
The program is designed for children between the age of 3 to 5 years old. Your child must be 3 by September 30th.
If you are intersted in taking part in this program with your child, please download the Parent Handbook and Application form (PDF)
Staff

Ellen Jacobs, Director Observation Nursery
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 2016
Email: jacobs@education.concordia.ca
Harriet Petrakos, Parent Group Facilitator
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 2013
Email: hpetrakos@education.concordia.ca
Fiona Rowlands, Head Teacher
Classroom: 514-848-2424, ext. 2265
Email: fiona.rowlands@sympatico.ca
Pat Rennie, Program Secretary
Office: 514-848-2424, ext. 2013
Email: pat@education.concordia.ca