Fern Hill School provides young children with an exceptional education. Each classroom, from preschool to Elementary Grades, reflects the same warm, caring environment that characterizes Fern Hill School as a whole.

Why should I consider Fern Hill for Nursery School?

The programs at Fern Hill are designed for young children and operate within a warm & caring atmosphere. In age appropriate programs children learn routines that build confidence and develop a strong sense of security. The experienced and qualified educators provide a stimulating program and maintain a close relationship with families. Our team approach provides ratios lower than many of our competitors. (1:5 for the two year old group and 1:6 for the three years old group) The many advantages from our program in the early years will lead to success later on.

What does the Nursery School program include?

At Fern Hill we have separate groups for 2 & 3 year olds, with a set enrollment, thus allowing children to gain confidence and establish friendships.

The program provides a component of Free Play where children enjoy a variety of activities, including puzzles, art, water & sand, books, blocks, etc... Children participate in individual, parallel or co-operative play, depending on their age group. Children also enjoy group activities in circle where they work on a variety of concepts including size, shape, sound, colour, number (1-5, 1-10 & 1-20), and for the 3 year olds, the introduction of letters and their sounds. Children also enjoy outdoor & gross motor  play, music time and invited guests.

Will my child be prepared for Kindergarten?

Children who complete Nursery School at Fern Hill are well prepared for Kindergarten. They have had the advantage of being introduced to the Kindergarten curriculum. Activities have been carefully chosen, with many designed to enhance pre-reading and pre-math skills. Your child has been prepared in the Nursery School to move on to the next step. They will leave secure and confident and ready to flourish academically.

Why should I consider Fern Hill for JK and SK?

Your child has come to feel at home in our Nursery School Programme and has had several opportunities to interact with our Kindergarten classes. That security builds confidence for both you and your child. With full day programs, Fern Hill provides a seamless day for your child, with less transitions and an exciting and enriching curriculum.

At Fern Hill School our teachers, co-teachers and assistants work together in a team atmosphere which models co-operation, positive group behaviour and provides a low student teacher ratio. (8:1) Teachers are also able to work individually with your child, on phonics, mathematics, science and more. In addition we enjoy regular music, physical education and French instruction enhanced by qualified specialty teachers. Our JK and SK students host guest speakers for various units, such as Little Ray's Reptiles to celebrate their success in studying spiders. We also include field trips ranging from the hands-on and local, such as a trip to the grocery store for nutritious snacks to the more cultural, such as the NAC.

I love Fern Hill but I was hoping to put my child in a French Immersion program. What does the French program include at Fern Hill?

French is introduced to the nursery school children through songs and games in the three year old class. Both the Junior and Senior Kindergarten programs include 30 minutes of French each day and two afternoons with special French activities each week. In addition, one of the gym classes each week is taken in French.

This basis is built on throughout your child's academic career, with 45 minutes of French each day beginning in Grade One. Students also have the option of participating in the Extended French program where they will study social studies and drama in French. Fern Hill alumni have been very successful in French Immersion (Middle and Late Immersion) and strictly French programs.

Why should I consider Fern Hill for the elementary grades?

Your child has come to feel at home in our Kindergarten Program and has had several opportunities to interact with our Grade School students. That security builds confidence for both you and your child. 

Large class sizes can leave little time for individual programming or enrichment. At Fern Hill School our teachers and specialty teachers work together in a team atmosphere combining expertise and integration and providing a low student-teacher ratio. Teachers are also able to work individually with your child on reading, writing, mathematics, science and more. In addition we enjoy regular music, physical education and French instruction enhanced by qualified specialty teachers. We also include field trips ranging from the hands-on and local, such as a trip to the War Museum, National Art Gallery of Canada and a number of historical homes in Ottawa.

How does Fern Hill's grade school prepare students for leadership in the wider community?

The student's interest is peaked through guest speakers from the larger community. These speakers came from varied backgrounds such as out reach programs, universities and embassies. Through working together both within the school setting and the community they learn that they can make a difference.

Why should I risk acceptance at a future school?

Fern Hill has a long and respected Primary history. We hire experienced educators and provide a strong advantage in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics through the use of a variety of approaches, individual attention and close relationships with families. Our ratios are lower or comparable to our competitors and our specialty music, physical education, technology and French teachers provide exceptional programming, often unmatched. Your child has been prepared in the kindergarten program to move on to the next step. He or she is secure and confident in our welcoming environment and is ready to flourish academically. Changing schools at the end of the elementary grade levels is the ideal time, when your child is ready for a larger school. Allowing him or her to gain from our advantages in the early years will bring much success later on. Our alumni have been very successful in gaining entrance to their schools of choice. We have a close relationship with other neighbourhood schools and students are prepared for new challenges.

Are school fees tax deductible?

Both our Nursery School and Kindergarten programs qualify for Child Care receipts for 100% of tuition paid.

Approximately 20% of Grade School Tuition qualifies for Child Care receipts.

How can I feel more confident in my decision?

Think about what is most important to you for your child. Take the time to seek answers to all your questions about the programs or grades you are contemplating. Make time to observe in any program you are considering for your child. We would be happy to arrange a visit for you.