Empowering Childhood Experiences

An approach to foster relationships, knowledge and imagination.

Join the Discovery Family

Book a Tour Now

A tour can be booked in advance to ensure a safe and special appointment for your family to visit the classrooms and ask questions that you might have.

We look forward to meeting you! 

Join Our Waitlist

Discovery will contact you to offer you the space at the specified time that your family has requested. You are invited to review our Parent Handbook!

Our strategies are inspired by the incredible work of the children, teachers, and parents in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Our philosophy focuses on the children’s natural desire to research and as such, we guide and encourage critical thinking to design a curriculum based on the development and testing of theories, balancing the importance of the democratic and individual exchange of ideas. The Reggio Approach is not a static transmission of information. It is an attitude; a strategy for continuous and engaged learning through a constant state of research and inquiry. We believe that this democratic approach is what builds togetherness; creating strong theories about the world.

Discovery Journey

Discovery Preschool holds the concept of family as precious. We are a family of educators, a family of students, and a family of community stakeholders supporting over 6,000 families in Markham in the past 19 years. I have worked alongside my mother, Sandy Shields for over 30 years, and together we have a combined history of 73 years in the field of early childhood education. We would be honoured to meet your family and collaborate on your values and inspirations for your child’s education and care. Welcome to Discovery Preschool!
Did You Know?

Discovery Preschool is celebrating 22 years in operation,

Allison Barrow RECE and Sandra Shields RECE have a combined history of 76 years in Early Childhood Education

Our passion for plants stems from the “mother plant” that is over 28 years old from Allison’s nursery school

All of our supervisors have celebrated 15 years with Discovery, 2 of them have been with us since the beginning

We have been researching Literacies as a Result of Living since 2015

Discovery is celebrating 14 perfect licences since 2018

The World Economic Forum expresses the urgent need for human skills of creativity, originality, critical thinking, attention to detail and complex problem-solving. Discovery Preschool has embodied these disciplines in every aspect of our work.

Visit Us Virtually

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Beckenridge Discovery School
Where it all started ...
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Heritage Discovery Preschool
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Discovery On 7
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Discovery Preschool Unionville
Anne Hong and Kenneth Li
5/5

Both Danica and Hanna have really enjoyed their time there and both Ken and I have been incredibly impressed with your nurturing, caring and professional approach to childcare. Thank you so much for all you have done in making our children feel comfortable, cared for and safe. 

Maria Paonessa
5/5

Beckenridge has been a part of our lives for nearly 6 years, and we can never thank you enough for the care and love you’ve all given to both of our sons. We know he will truly miss everyone and everything about his “first School.”

Anne Cairns
5/5

Not a day goes by that we are not grateful for the help and support we received from Allison and her team at Discovery.

We know he was safe , well cared for and the team always went above and beyond in caring for our little man!
We will be forever grateful

Empowering Childhood Experiences

An approach to foster relationships, knowledge and imagination.