1:4 Program

The 1:4 Program is ideal for students who are preparing to learn in a small group, and would benefit from additional support with appropriate peer interaction, classroom skills, as well as foundational skills. Our curriculum is developmentally-based with reference to the Ontario Curriculum goals. In the classroom, there is focus on explicit lessons and activities that will develop a foundation of social and emotional skills that are essential for children. Communication, conversation and language skills are developed each day through various speech activities, teacher modelling, teachers joining in the play and social role-play. Our high instructor-to-child ratio allows us to meet the needs of each child, while providing them with the opportunity to develop secure relationships that will prepare them for many school years to come.

Additional support for students is available through our Support Level Program, which allows students to receive additional shared support within the classroom.

What is the Support Level Program? 

In order to ensure all students’ needs are being met and they will be successful in the 1:4 or 1:7 classrooms, we offer to levels of additional support. Support levels are determined through an intake assessment, written reports, observation, data and trail days. 

Support Level 1: 

Students receiving this level of support are able to participate and learn within a small classroom setting with some additional shared support in the classroom. This support may be necessary for the student to actively participate in classroom conversation, engage in play with others, or remain on task. This support may also be necessary when a student is ready to transition from a 1:4 to a 1:7 classroom, or if a student is integrating into a SJA classroom.

Support Level 2: 

Students receiving this level of support in the classroom require individual attention for a portion of their day. This individual support may be for a specific subject area, group participation, DIR Floortime goals or support with behaviour management and emotional regulation. Students being provided with Level 2 support will receive “pull-out” and “push-in” support from a qualified Educational Support Specialist for a portion of their day, in order to meet their individual social, emotional and communication goals.  This support may also be necessary when a student is ready to transition from the Transition Program to 1:4, or a 1:4 to a 1:7 classroom.

*Support levels are reviewed and determined by the Oakwood Placement Committee

Who is this program for?

This program is for children ages 4-18 years who are ready to engage in a small class size (1 teacher : 4 students) without full-time individual support. Students in the 1:4 Program will be able to engage in group activities for up to 15 minutes, show interest in playing with others and transition smoothly from various activities.

Social & Emotional Development

Social development is placed as a priority in the Classroom Program and explicitly taught lessons and activities are planned to teach students. In addition, the teachers join the students in play to teach social skills such as:
• Joining and initiating playing with peers
• Sharing and turn-taking
• Self-regulation
• Imaginative play
• Expressing and recognizing emotions
• Problem solving

Classroom/School Readiness

The 1:4 Program is structured to teach children classroom routines and foundational skills essential for success in any classroom. Skills taught include:
• Calendar routine
• Learning in a group setting
• Attending in the classroom
• Classroom independence
• Language comprehension
• Foundation reading and writing
• Foundation numeracy concepts