Who Are We?
Our community of home learning families is in our 5th year of co-creating this program that runs on the south end of Salt Spring Island. We offer a rich, multi-day program, supported by government funding. We learn with our Heartwood Learning Community teachers, inspiring local artists, artisans, and professionals.
We envision a future where our children love to learn
and are both rooted in nature and connected to our communities.
Values that support our vision
We value…
- Play-based learning, focused on curiosity and discovery
- Allowing children the freedom to learn at their own pace
- Hands-on learning with minimal screen time
- Small group learning in a multi-age setting
- Nature connection
- Gratitude for and connection with each other
- Clear rules of conduct and resolution in developmentally appropriate ways
- Partnership
- Respect
- Parent participation
How the program runs
For Children
Our programs run 4 days per week from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm at Beaver Point Hall and its surrounding forest. The hall provides us with a beautiful, natural, and uncluttered space that fits a variety of needs and activities. Typically younger kids attend fewer days and families increase participation as the child grows and is ready. For the 2023-2024 year we have children attending from grades K-8.
Days begin and end with a gratitude circle that parents are encouraged to join. In the morning, children have time with our teachers. Afternoons are focused on mentorships led by local artists, artisans and professionals.
For Parents
Parents play key roles in the designing and running of our program.
- Grade K-5 families officially register with Heartwood Learning Community and commit to working with our teacher in partnership. This includes attending learning plan meetings and providing examples and insights into home learning activities.
- Grade 6-8 families can register with various distributed learning programs.
- Afternoon mentorships are organized by and paid for by parents. In addition to members of the wider community, parents are also welcome to share a skill or passion they have as a mentorship.
- The Operating Committee is composed of a few parent volunteers who want to be involved in planning the program, mentorships, and organizing finances.
- All parents are invited to attend meetings each term to contribute to planning, share resources, resolve conflicts, and strengthen community connections.
- Parents also volunteer to perform jobs (e.g. cleaning, supervising play before and after school, planning and helping out on special days) that make the program run smoothly.
Fees & Funds
For grades K-5 our program runs with two sources of funding:
- Heartwood Learning Community (through the Ministry of Education) funds our morning sessions with our teacher.
- Parents pay for the afternoon mentorships program.
- Feel free to contact us for this year’s fees.
The program for grades 6 to 8 is fully paid for by families.
Cedar Roots Learning Community 