The Toddler Collective

The Toddler Collective is a caretaker and child playgroup that will allow our little artists (ages 1.5- 3) to play in an environment of diverse art and sensory experiences. For 50 minutes, little ones will enjoy free range in the studio as they engage their senses and explore art materials and sensory experiences alongside their caretaker. The Toddler Collective will cultivate joy, independence, confidence, neural connection, language development, fine motor development, and familiarity with a wonderful variety of activities that engage the senses.  

Welcome to Oh! Canary

Time: The playgroup is 50 minutes long. Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes beforehand because the studio is small- ish with little separation between the entry and the art and play activities. This will give us the opportunity to get properly set up before our artists arrive. Weather permitting, please park strollers outside. Thanks!

Teachers are subject to change as we approach the start of the season.

Location: SOUTH ORANGE: The studio is located at 165 Valley Street Unit B in South Orange. Street parking is available on Valley Street and a public parking garage is connected to the building on Third Street across from Sloan Street. Please be mindful that Valley Street is a very well traveled road and keep your child at arm's length as you approach the studio. MONTCLAIR: Our Montclair studio is located at 237 Lorraine Avenue in Upper Montclair. Parking is available in the lot behind our storefront as well as the paid town lot across the street. Please enter through the front left hand door.

Attire: This playgroup involves a lot of messy fun! The children often immerse themselves in wet and colorful materials. Pick an old t-shirt and pants for them to wear every week (an art uniform!), and a change of clothes is always a good idea. You or your child's caretaker might also consider that paint splatter happens (we use a lot of tempera paint, which is non toxic, but can stain). Both children and caretakers must remove shoes upon entering the studio.

Your/ Your Caretaker's Role: This series of art and sensory experiences is very much about fostering independent exploration of materials within a group setting. Please give your child as much space as he or she is comfortable with to explore in ANY way they would like. It is truly amazing how they use the materials in unexpected ways every. single. class. Your role is to keep them safe, give them permission, and talk to them about how the materials look, feel, smell, sound, and even taste! Our role is to gently redirect if needed. Stay calm, everything is non toxic and washable. Please be present and silence your calls and texts for the duration of the class.

Illness and Makeups: As in most daycare and school policies, if your child has had a fever within 24 hours, please keep them home to refrain from spreading illness. Please let us know as soon as you know your child will not be attending, so that those on the wait list may join us that day. One make up is available per 12 weeks.

Weather: In the case of inclement weather, class may be cancelled. If this occurs we will accommodate with a make up date.

We're looking forward to having your little ones join us!