Discover Silver Creek Pre-School
Our 50 year history has been dedicated to providing integrated therapeutic services and early learning experiences so that children are empowered to acquire the skills that will help them to be successful in the mainstream community. Silver Creek provides an inclusive early education setting where children of all abilities learn together.
A smaller staff-to-children ratio allows for individualized programming for every child in the group setting. There is an opportunity in this reversely integrated setting for children with special needs to take the lead, promoting self-reliance and self-esteem. The emphasis on functional independence facilitates increased participation in the home and community.
It is Silver Creek’s philosophy that integrated therapy and education leads to successful inclusion.
Vision
Empower children to inspire themselves and others.
Mission
Silver Creek provides a positive pre-school setting with therapeutic services within a caring and creative early education classroom.
(Physio, Occupational, Speech & Language, and Music Therapy)
We help children with and without physical and developmental challenges to achieve success as defined by each child and family.
We are dedicated to working with our families, the community, and other professionals to ensure that the unique promise of each child is realized.
Values
Every child is special.
Silver Creek recognizes and supports the importance of ongoing working partnerships with families and the community to ensure the development of our children towards independence and optimum quality of life.
We believe that every child will rise to their highest level when we all work together to provide the services the children need now.
Our History
Silver Creek has been serving children with physical and developmental challenges since 1975 when local parents petitioned the provincial government for funding and support in starting a program to serve the pre-academic and therapeutic needs of their children.
The school has grown from seven students in 1975 to more than 60 children being served annually. Government assistance is now provided by Toronto’s Children’s Services through subsidies directly to qualifying families, and through special needs resourcing funding to Silver Creek.
November 8, 1975 - Silver Creek Junior School Opens Nursery for Handicapped Children
Located in the east wing of the Silver Creek Junior School in central Etobicoke, the nursery opens its doors to the community and provides special needs children with a space to learn, grow and play. Assisted learning includes gross-motor functioning, climinging equipment, musical therapy and various play spaces. The school requests volunteers and donations to ensure its continued service within the community.
April 17, 1985 - Silver Creek Volunteers Honoured by Province
Two Etobicoke volunteers were recognized and honoured by governor John Aird at a reception at Queen’s Park as a part of the Exceptional Volunteers Week event. Wilma Wilson – a treasurer of the Humber Valley Chapter of IODE – had been volunteering at Silver Creek Nursery School since the school was formed, and was on the board of directors for 4 years. Similarly, Emily Lazenby assisted children with reading disabilities for 19 years at the New Toronto Library and was with Silver Creek Pre School since its inception.
April 13, 1988 - Silver Creek Received a Sunshine Coach for Easy and Safe Transportation
Silver Creek Nursery School, catering to children with special needs, received a Sunshine Coach for easy and safe transportation of children to and from the facilities.The Ontario Restaurant Association – Toronto Region raised $11,500 in its annual restaurant race to support the purchase of the propane-fuelled coach.
December 22, 1990 - Christmas Spirit Lives On
An unexpected cancellation of the Silvercreek Nursery School Christmas party prompted community outreach and much holiday cheer. Through generous donations, the children of Silver Creek Nursery School enjoyed a festive Christmas party with Metro police and the Mayor of Etobicoke’s executive assistant. Cloverdale mall donated its Santa Claus to the school each morning, while a team of Toronto Police dressed up in holiday costumes to delight the children all December long.
May 6, 1992 - Computer Appeal's Silver Creek Children Find New Therapy
Silver Creek Nursery School receives a $12,000 donation towards the purchase of computers and computer programming for the students. Programs were exclusively designed for speech and language therapy, and ensure 40 to 55 students enrolled at the nursery will benefit daily from these new advancements.
April 9, 2000 - Centre’s Amazing Staff Lend A Helping Hand
Since opening its doors 25 years ago, Silver Creek Nursery’s staff grows to 14 members, now including a speech pathologist, physiotherapist, cook, teacher, occupational therapist and much more. The friendly and dynamic staff make Silver Creek Nursery a joyful space for children to learn and develop.
March 6, 2002 - A Happy Moment
David Strachan, owner of the Bloor Street and Mill Road McDonald’s present Silver Creek Nursery School with a $1,362 cheque. The proceeds were raised during McHappy Day, and given to the school to provide assistance to incoming students. Similarly, The Singing Lotus Yoga Studio held a raffle to raise $400 for Silver Creek Nursery School to further student development.
April 23, 2004 - IODE Chapter Marks 25 Years
The Sceptre and Mace Chapter, IODE celebrated its 25th anniversary with a luncheon. A presentation of a mini-wheelchair was made to Silvercreek Nursery School for Handicapped Children to commemorate the chapter’s 25 years of service in Etobicoke. Awards were presented to a number of members for educational service and exceptional citizenship.
April 6, 2017 - Province Negotiating Land Swap to Save Silver Creek
Education Minister Mitzie Hunter announced that Ontario sought to preserve the wide range of services for special needs children run out of both Silver Creek Pre-School and North York’s McNicoll Public School. Etobicoke Center’s MPP Yvan Baker made the announcement and vowed to ensure Silver Creek Pre-School received the adequate funding necessary to keep serving the needs of the community. This deal ensures the preservation of a wide range of services for special needs children offered on-site.
Present
Silver Creek continues to provide support for children with special needs.