Learning Through Play, Field-Trips and Experiences
Engaging, hands-on learning through purposeful play and memorable experiences allows children to prepare for success in a world where the accelerating pace of technological changes will significantly impact how we live and thrive in the future. Here are some facts, reports, videos and resources that support the idea of learning through play.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the afterschool curriculum divided between Chess and Board Games? If your child is in the mixed program, we circulate between challenging board games, easy board games, 1:1 Chess and Chess Strategy puzzles. This keeps the child's mind fresh and their attitude excited.
Will my child play Chess on an app/ device? No, we are a strictly screen-free program. We have chess boards and in person instructors who love playing with the children to keep them engaged.
Will my child play outside the school, go to the playground etc during Brainiacs? Playing in playgrounds, or playing unsupervised/ unsanctioned physical games is not a part of our curriculum and generally speaking does not happen. In case of an extreme/ unexpected situation (loss of power, heat wave etc) that prevents children from staying in our appointed room, the rules might be bent slightly.
My child is neuro atypical - will that be a problem? Generally speaking, all children are welcome to Brainiacs. We assess the child's engagement, interest, expertise and then suggest/guide them on games.
What happens if my child is unruly? Our instructors are trained at de-escalating situations. However if the child does not comply or poses a risk for other children, we might contact the parent listed as primary contact to help manage the situation.
What if I want my child to focus only on chess? We can certainly accommodate children that want to play only chess. However, spending the entire time on only one game gets monotonous for the brain. We encourage strategic games for chess players as well because it keeps their mind agile and helps them apply strategies learnt through other games towards chess. We also help build their chess moves and plans by bringing in some chess puzzles. All of this contributes towards their chess skills ultimately.
How many kids per class? We keep our class sizes small to allow instructors to focus on game play. Our student count per class also depends on the actual size of the classroom or location we get from the school. Generally speaking, we accept anywhere from 3 to 16 students.
How many educators do you have per class? We like to keep the ratio of kids to educators at 6-8: 1. So for every 6 to 8 kids, we have one educator. This allows instructors to focus on 2 game groups at a time and really give them the attention they need to develop strategies and critical thinking.
As a parent, what can I do to bring Brainiacs to my kids' school? We have lots of parents that have successfully brought the Brainaics program to their school. Our first step would be to speak to your PAC's afterschool in-charge about adding Brainiacs to their afterschool programming. Along with that, please reach out to us at brainiacs.adventures@gmail.com and share the email id and contact in the PAC committee that we should talk to and we'll take it from there. We know the choices in afterschool programming are many. We appreciate you advocating for Brainiacs to your PAC!
Policies
Photograph Policy
During Brainiacs Adventures programs, we may occasionally capture photos or videos of participants to showcase the fun, learning, and creativity in our sessions. These materials are used strictly for Brainiacs Adventures marketing purposes, including on our website, social media, or printed materials. We will never share or sell any photos or videos to third parties, and all content will remain under our ownership and control.
Cancelation/ Refund Policy
If your child is no longer able to attend an upcoming Brainiacs Adventures program, we require a minimum of SEVEN days’ notice prior to the program start date in order to issue a refund of your deposit and/or fees. Please note that all cancellations are subject to a $50 administration fee to cover processing and merchant costs.
For cancellations made after the first class of a program, no refunds can be provided. However, Brainiacs Adventures may, at its discretion, offer a discount code or apply a portion of the fees as a credit toward a future registration.
Late Pick Up Policy
We understand that delays can happen, which is why we offer a 15-minute grace period after the scheduled program end time for child pick-up. However, any pick-up occurring beyond this grace period will incur a fee of $25 for every additional 15-minute interval. This helps us ensure our staff are fairly compensated for their time and that we can continue providing a safe and smooth experience for all.
Inclement Weather and Emergency Situations
The safety of our participants and staff is always our top priority. In the event of severe weather or other emergency situations, Brainiacs Adventures will follow the guidance and safety protocols set by the North Vancouver School District (NVSD).
If NVSD announces school closures or advises that after-school programs should not run due to weather or emergency conditions—even if schools were open earlier in the day—Brainiacs programs will also be canceled for that day. We will notify families as early as possible via email and/or text.
