La Boîte à soleil is a francophone educational center that opened its first center in Welland in 1982. Over the years, several centers have opened in francophone schools. Today, we offer programs throughout the Niagara region, so come visit us or play with us in French, Monday to Friday, 7am to 5:30pm!
As you walk through the doors of our centers, you’ll sense the warm, safe environment in which children thrive. They’re welcomed with open arms, smiling faces and big hugs. They play, create, think, learn and share in their own way and at their own pace.
Every day, infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children are encouraged to explore and choose what interests them. Our early childhood educators watch them play and then create activities based on their interests.
When it’s time to eat, everyone rushes to the table to see what’s on the menu. In fact, all our meals and snacks are healthy and homemade.
You’ll often hear French music and children singing along to the most popular songs. Through songs and activities, children learn the French language.
At La Boîte à soleil, each child develops at his or her own pace and in his or her own way, with the support and encouragement of passionate, caring educators.
A cooperative committed to its community
As a cooperative, we believe it’s essential to support other organizations in our region to the best of our ability. However, as a not-for-profit organization, our resources are limited and we have to target the organizations we support.
Each year, La Boîte à soleil awards bursaries to francophone students from the following schools:
- École secondaire Franco-Niagara
- École secondaire catholique Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf
- Collège Boréal
- We also provide bursaries for all the elementary schools in which we have centers.
La Boîte à soleil also contributes financially to certain community activities, especially when these activities involve children (e.g. Rose City Kids, Canada Day, fundraising activities, etc.).
We participate in a number of francophone events in the community, including Franco-Ontarian Day, the Fête Saint-Jean, and the Winter Carnival.
What’s more, every year, La Boîte à soleil welcomes numerous college students in the childcare field from various post-secondary educational institutes such as Collège Boréal, Collège Niagara, Collège Mohawk, etc.
Finally, La Boîte à soleil sits on a number of local and regional executive committees and tables:
- Niagara Children’s Planning Council
- Child care sector
- Table Interagence
- Réseau Interagir régional et provinciale
- Quality Child Care Niagara
- Niagara College ECE Program Advisory Committee
- Niagara region Business Advisory Committee
- Executive Directors Network in Niagara
- Francophone supervisors network