Kindergarten to Grade 1
Inspiring Lifelong Journeys in Learning
Welcome to Pear Tree School’s Kindergarten and Grade 1 program, where we ignite a lifelong love of learning. Our nurturing environment ensures each child feels valued, engaged, and excited about their educational journey.
Here, education is more than academics; it’s about holistic growth, curiosity, and building a strong foundation for future success. We balance structured learning with hands-on exploration, fostering confidence, creativity, and a deep understanding of the world.
Join us and see how our innovative approach prepares young learners for a bright future
K/1 Program Overview
At Pear Tree School, we believe early childhood education should blend structured learning with creative exploration. Our Kindergarten and Grade 1 program is designed to foster curiosity, confidence, and community, ensuring academic, social, emotional, and physical development.
Our approach integrates theme-based and project-based learning, allowing children to explore subjects in hands-on and meaningful ways. By connecting learning to real-world experiences, we make education relevant and engaging. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, and our highly qualified teachers nurture each child’s unique potential
Key Benefits / Outcomes
- Holistic Development: Students develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
- Love of Learning: Our engaging methods foster a genuine interest in learning.
- Confidence and Independence: Children build self-esteem and learn to work independently.
- Strong Foundation: Solid grounding in literacy and numeracy prepares students for future academic success.
Curriculum Overview
At Pear Tree School, we use a theme-based learning approach, where subjects are taught as part of real-world themes rather than in isolation. This makes learning more engaging, meaningful, and practical.
Over a two-year period, students explore 14 different themes, each integrating literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, ADST (Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies), physical education, and the arts. Every subject is equally important, and our approach ensures students develop a well-rounded foundation for future success.
- 📖 Literacy – Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are embedded into every theme, helping students build strong communication skills.
- 🔢 Mathematics – Numbers, patterns, measurement, and problem-solving are taught through hands-on, real-life applications.
- 🌍 Science & Social Studies – Students investigate the world through experiments, projects, and discussions about people, places, and the environment.
- 🎨 ADST & The Arts – Creativity, design thinking, and hands-on projects encourage students to develop innovation, artistic expression, and practical skills.
- 🏃♂️ Physical Education – Movement, coordination, and teamwork are incorporated into daily activities to support overall health and well-being.
By learning through themes, students see how knowledge connects across different subjects, making education more enjoyable and deeply rooted in real life.
Term 1 Themes (Year 1 of 2)
Identity
Who am I? How do my family and experiences shape who I am? In this theme, students explore their personal identity and how it is influenced by their relationships, culture, and experiences. They learn that identity is not fixed—it changes as we grow and interact with the world.
Each year, we revisit the Identity theme with a different focus, helping students build a deeper understanding of themselves and their connections to others.
Key Learning Highlights:
- Exploring personal identity through self-portraits and creative expression.
- Understanding family roles and relationships by sharing stories and making connections.
- Recognizing cultural diversity and learning about different traditions and perspectives.
- Building collaboration skills by discussing different viewpoints and learning to respect others’ perspectives.
Theme in Action
Thrive and Survive
How do people and animals survive when the environment changes? In this theme, students explore basic survival needs—food, water, shelter, and warmth—through hands-on experiments, storytelling, and outdoor activities. They investigate how different living things adapt, hibernate, or migrate to thrive in different conditions.
Key Learning Highlights:
- Understanding survival needs and how seasons affect access to food and shelter.
- Exploring animal adaptations such as migration, hibernation, and body changes.
- Conducting simple science experiments to test insulation and environmental effects.
- Engaging in creative projects like building shelters and mapping animal migration routes.
Theme in Action
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Transportation
How do people travel from one place to another, and how do different modes of transportation impact our world? In this theme, students explore how various types of transportation—from cars and trains to boats and planes—connect people and communities. They also learn about decision-making in transportation, including cost, speed, and environmental impact.
Key Learning Highlights:
- Comparing different types of transportation (land, water, and air).
- Exploring the role of public transit and how it connects communities.
- Investigating environmental impact by comparing electric, gas, and hybrid vehicles.
- Applying math skills by planning trips, using transit maps, and calculating fares in a transportation-themed board game.
Theme in Action
Sample K-1 Schedule
A soft start eases students into the school day, reducing stress and fostering a calm, focused environment for learning.
A 1-hour P.E. session with our own P.E. teacher at Connaught Park.
These classes are led by our dedicated music teacher.
All students take part in our Healthy Hot Lunch Program. Our menu for this month is, as follows:
Monday: Creamy potato and veggies soup with bacon and cheese
Tuesday: Chickpea and spinach soup with bread
Wednesday: Salmon curry pasta
Thursday: Jambalaya with rice
Friday: Dan Dan noodles
Students take a 45-minute break at Connaught Park, rain or shine.
There, they have access to the playground, as well as the sport fields.
There is a 10-minute walk there and back, which the students do every day.
A soft end to the day provides parents with a broader window of time to find parking, meet with other parents, and meet with teachers.
Beyond Academics
Daily Physical Education
K/1 students at Pear Tree move and play every day in our daily one-hour P.E. program, setting the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Developmentally-Appropriate Activities: Students build essential gross motor skills (jumping, running, balancing) through activities like gymnastics, obstacle courses, and ball games.
- Fun, Confidence, and Teamwork: Through structured games and play-based exercises, children develop self-confidence, coordination, and cooperation.
- Multi-Sport Exposure: Young students get an introduction to yoga, ice skating, and other physical activities, helping them discover what they love.
- Whole-Child Benefits: P.E. is about more than movement—it improves focus, behavior, and self-regulation in the classroom, too!
Hot Lunch Program
At Pear Tree School, even our youngest learners benefit from our Healthy Hot Lunch Program, ensuring they get the nutrition they need to focus, play, and grow.
- Kid-Friendly, Nutrient-Rich Meals: Our lunches are thoughtfully crafted with balanced, seasonal, and local ingredients, designed in collaboration with a holistic nutritionist and prepared by our in-house Red Seal chef.
- Introducing Healthy Eating Habits: We encourage K/1 students to try new foods and learn the importance of a balanced diet, making mealtime a learning experience.
- Catering to Dietary Needs: Whether your child requires gluten-free, vegetarian, or other special accommodations, our program ensures allergies and dietary preferences are met safely.
- Connection to Learning: Food is integrated into theme-based learning, where students explore cooking, nutrition, and food science in ways that make sense for their age.
Co-Curriculars (optional)
For our youngest learners, after-school programs aren’t just extra—they’re essential to exploring interests and developing new skills!
- Designed for Early Learners: Co-curriculars introduce creativity, movement, and problem-solving through activities like storytelling, music, art, building, and STEM games.
- Social-Emotional Learning: Activities are designed to boost confidence, patience, and teamwork, helping students make friends and feel part of a community.
- Rotating Options: Choices change each term, but may include art, performing arts, nature discovery, cooking, and beginner martial arts.
- Exploration without Pressure: K/1 co-curriculars are about having fun, trying new things, and growing in a supportive space.
Before & After School Care
Pear Tree School offers a supervised, fee-based Before and After School Care Program to support parents with busy schedules. This program is available to all students, with flexible registration options for any combination of days.
Before School Care
🕢 7:30 – 8:00 am | $10 per day
- A calm, supervised environment to ease into the school day.
After School Care
🕞 3:30 – 5:00 pm | $25 per day
What Parents Say About Us
“Pear Tree School is a forefront leader in childhood education.”
Vanja
“Pear Tree School provides an environment where children are welcomed and supported.”
Katherine
“Pear Tree School is what 21st century education should be.”
Ivy
“Pear Tree School fosters children's love for learning and helps them grow as confident, responsible and kind people.”
Irina
“Pear Tree students are learning to think deeply and critically about the big issues of our day.”
Kate
“Pear Tree's project-based learning approach is practical and impactful.”
Zahra
Join Our Community!
Discover how Pear Tree School’s Kindergarten-Grade 1 Program can provide your child with an unparalleled educational foundation. Explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, and witness firsthand the joy of learning at Pear Tree.
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Contact Us
Main Campus (West Broadway)
215-2678 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C. V6K 2G3
Yaletown Campus (Opening Sept 2025)
1035 Cambie St
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2E2
