At Pomme d'Happy, we believe children thrive best when they feel calm, accepted, and respected. What matters to us is not only what we do with them during the day, but how we talk to them, how we set boundaries, and how we gradually help them become more independent.
We treat every child as an individual with their own feelings, needs, and pace.
We speak calmly and with respect. We do not use humiliation, threats, or physical punishment. We do not dismiss a child's emotions, even when we cannot fulfil their wish.
For us, respect means listening to the child, explaining what is happening, and giving them time whenever possible.
Respect for the child does not mean an absence of rules.
Children need clear, consistent, and age-appropriate boundaries. These help them feel safe and gradually understand what is acceptable in their relationships with others.
We set boundaries calmly and without threats. When conflict arises, we help children calm down, understand what happened, and find a more appropriate way to express their needs.
A child can play, learn, and explore the world when they feel calm and accepted.
The bond with a trusted adult is especially important in the beginning, so we do not expect every child to adapt in the same way or within the same timeframe.
We prepare an individual transition plan in advance, but remain flexible. If the child or family need a different rhythm, we adjust our approach to make the transition as smooth as possible.
French and English are an important part of everyday life at Pomme d'Happy. Children encounter the languages naturally — through conversation, songs, stories, games, and activities. We do not test them or insist they repeat or speak before they are ready.
For us, a multilingual environment also means openness to different families, cultures, and languages. We want every child and every parent to feel welcome.
We encourage children to try on their own, even when it takes more time.
We give them the opportunity to gradually participate in mealtimes, dressing, tidying up, and caring for their belongings. We offer age-appropriate choices and help them take on small responsibilities.
We support when needed, but we do not rush to do something for the child that they can try themselves.
We believe children feel most secure when there is trust and open communication between the family and those who care for them.
We share honest feedback — not only the pleasant moments, but also when a child has faced a difficulty. We listen to parents and treat the particularities, habits, and values of each family with respect.
When a problem arises, we look for a shared approach and a solution that is in the best interest of the child.