The Art Of Nature Childcare - Barrie South — Daycare & Preschool in Barrie, Ontario

4.0·39 reviews·Barrie

At a glance

Age groups served: All ages
Provincial licence status: Licensed · #60734
Licensed capacity: Not yet verified
$10-a-day program: Not yet verified
Price range: Not yet verified
Hours: MonClosed
Tue7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Wed7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Thu7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Fri7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
SatClosed
SunClosed

Licence data: Ontario Ministry of Education, updated monthly. Last synced June 2026.

What parents say

Parents report mixed experiences at The Art of Nature Childcare, with some praising their child's blossoming and love for the outdoor nature focus, while others express significant concerns about the facility's condition.

What to expect

This daycare and preschool offers a nature-based experience that some parents find greatly beneficial, noting positive changes in their children and appreciation for the outdoor elements. However, other reviews strongly criticize the facility's upkeep, describing it as run-down and muddy, raising concerns about its overall condition and maintenance.

Best for

Ideal for families prioritizing an outdoor, nature-focused childcare experience, provided the facility's condition meets expectations.

Location

767 Huronia Rd, Barrie, ON L4N 9H2

Get directions

What parents say

Catia Amaral
2021-12-24
I enrolled my toddler in October, 3 days a week. She attended 2 months. Unfortunately, the director/owner was very unprofessional with 0 communication skills. When my daughter was ready to potty train, director and I spoke a week prior via telephone as I wanted to clarify what the procedure was. She stated the teachers would support us and do exactly as I did at home. She even stated that teacher were against pull-ups, so they would not do that. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Monday I picked her up and when we got home my daughter kept requesting to put on a diaper. The next day I asked the teachers and was told she was wearing pull-ups all day. I requested to please not use pull-ups as it was delaying process. Tuesday, they put her in pull-ups again. I then once again reached out to director to better understand what the issue was. She stated “I’m not sure, I’ve been busy all day in the preschool room and have not spoken to the toddler teachers, but will follow up and let you know.” Wednesday I picked her up and once again she was wearing pull-ups. I was extremely frustrated as this was the third time. Director refused to support us with potty training. She stated that they were a big centre (3 classroom centre) and did not have time to change 10 children 5x a day. (My daughter was the only one potty training in her classroom of 8 that week) They put my her in pull-ups all day long and completely delayed our hard work and progress. They refused to take her inside during outdoor time to use the bathroom! As per ministry guidelines after 45 mins of outdoor time they have to take the children who use the toilet in. The Art of Nature Center did not add a toileting policy in the parent handbook. However, at 10pm on a Tuesday night she emailed me stating it was “policy” for children to wear pull-ups all day long and quoted the policy that I had never signed off on when enrolling. She refused to give my daughter a chance and show her that she is capable. The day I went to collect my daughters stuff, director refused to come speak to me directly, instead she sent a teacher.
Melissa Roman
Stool my money and very unprofessional. The owner Michelle who I tried contacting several times doesn’t even bother to return a phone call for the past 3 weeks. I accidentally over payed the registration fee of 96 which she was so quickly to accept. I have advised her 2 months prior that I’m moving and my son won’t be going in. She has dismissed all my email and took 730 deposit without even trying to listen to why and maybe come to an agreement of mayb at least a quarter of my money back. Shameful to be an owner and not even have the decency to call someone back. I can only speak for Michelle as all the other ladies I spoke to were very polite and actually in awe that she didn’t answer and took a 730 deposit without even hearing me out .
Shawn K
My daughter absolutely loves The Art of Nature Childcare! Amazing staff and we love that they're outside most of the day. People forget that they just opened, during a pandemic no less, and are still adjusting on the fly. But I have definitely seen a marked improvement in the last few months, and have absolutely no doubt that they will become a top flight educational program. Keep up the great work!
Sakeena
As a mother I am greatly impressed to see a big change with my son within a week of attending this facility. Both the teachers that work with him are passionate about helping my son achieve his goals. For the first time, my son played with kids on the weekend. This is a week I am speaking about!
Kira Konnyu
The Art of Nature is a wonderful Child Care facility. My child attends there and absolutely loves the outdoor and nature experience. The Teachers and Director are wonderful and work very well as a team and are constantly finding great educational programs to teach my child. Please remember we are in the middle of a pandemic and there is huge shortage of teachers in our province. They have stuck by and managed to educate our children while many others have quit in these hard times. You should be grateful that all these wonderful ladies have been here for your child and although you may not agree with something, it doesn't make it a bad child care facility.

Nearby daycares in Barrie

At a glance

Age groups served

All ages

Provincial licence status

Licensed · #60734

Licensed capacity

Not yet verified

$10-a-day program

Not yet verified

Price range

Not yet verified

Hours

MonClosed
Tue7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Wed7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Thu7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Fri7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
SatClosed
SunClosed

Licence data: Ontario Ministry of Education, updated monthly. Last synced June 2026.

What parents say

What to expect

Best for

Ideal for families prioritizing an outdoor, nature-focused childcare experience, provided the facility's condition meets expectations.

What parents say

Catia Amaral

2021-12-24

I enrolled my toddler in October, 3 days a week. She attended 2 months. Unfortunately, the director/owner was very unprofessional with 0 communication skills. When my daughter was ready to potty train, director and I spoke a week prior via telephone as I wanted to clarify what the procedure was. She stated the teachers would support us and do exactly as I did at home. She even stated that teacher were against pull-ups, so they would not do that. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Monday I picked her up and when we got home my daughter kept requesting to put on a diaper. The next day I asked the teachers and was told she was wearing pull-ups all day. I requested to please not use pull-ups as it was delaying process. Tuesday, they put her in pull-ups again. I then once again reached out to director to better understand what the issue was. She stated “I’m not sure, I’ve been busy all day in the preschool room and have not spoken to the toddler teachers, but will follow up and let you know.” Wednesday I picked her up and once again she was wearing pull-ups. I was extremely frustrated as this was the third time. Director refused to support us with potty training. She stated that they were a big centre (3 classroom centre) and did not have time to change 10 children 5x a day. (My daughter was the only one potty training in her classroom of 8 that week) They put my her in pull-ups all day long and completely delayed our hard work and progress. They refused to take her inside during outdoor time to use the bathroom! As per ministry guidelines after 45 mins of outdoor time they have to take the children who use the toilet in. The Art of Nature Center did not add a toileting policy in the parent handbook. However, at 10pm on a Tuesday night she emailed me stating it was “policy” for children to wear pull-ups all day long and quoted the policy that I had never signed off on when enrolling. She refused to give my daughter a chance and show her that she is capable. The day I went to collect my daughters stuff, director refused to come speak to me directly, instead she sent a teacher.

Melissa Roman

Stool my money and very unprofessional. The owner Michelle who I tried contacting several times doesn’t even bother to return a phone call for the past 3 weeks. I accidentally over payed the registration fee of 96 which she was so quickly to accept. I have advised her 2 months prior that I’m moving and my son won’t be going in. She has dismissed all my email and took 730 deposit without even trying to listen to why and maybe come to an agreement of mayb at least a quarter of my money back. Shameful to be an owner and not even have the decency to call someone back. I can only speak for Michelle as all the other ladies I spoke to were very polite and actually in awe that she didn’t answer and took a 730 deposit without even hearing me out .

Shawn K

My daughter absolutely loves The Art of Nature Childcare! Amazing staff and we love that they're outside most of the day. People forget that they just opened, during a pandemic no less, and are still adjusting on the fly. But I have definitely seen a marked improvement in the last few months, and have absolutely no doubt that they will become a top flight educational program. Keep up the great work!

Sakeena

As a mother I am greatly impressed to see a big change with my son within a week of attending this facility. Both the teachers that work with him are passionate about helping my son achieve his goals. For the first time, my son played with kids on the weekend. This is a week I am speaking about!

Kira Konnyu

The Art of Nature is a wonderful Child Care facility. My child attends there and absolutely loves the outdoor and nature experience. The Teachers and Director are wonderful and work very well as a team and are constantly finding great educational programs to teach my child. Please remember we are in the middle of a pandemic and there is huge shortage of teachers in our province. They have stuck by and managed to educate our children while many others have quit in these hard times. You should be grateful that all these wonderful ladies have been here for your child and although you may not agree with something, it doesn't make it a bad child care facility.