Welcome to the CHEO School Authority
A specialized kindergarten educational setting, located in the Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC) at CHEO Hospital.
Located on the CHEO campus, within the CHEO Children’s Treatment Centre (Previously, The Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre), CHEO School offers an English and French 2 year specialized educational and therapeutic environment designed for kindergarten students with complex physical disabilities and related medical needs. Funded by the Ministry of Education, CHEO School adheres to the operational guidelines set forth in the Education Act of Ontario and is governed by the CHEO School Authority Board of Trustees.
CHEO School celebrates the individuality of each student by recognizing and addressing their unique needs. Its commitment to educational excellence is showcased through a unique program that integrates physical, occupational, and speech therapies into a comprehensive full-day kindergarten curriculum, available in both English and French. Within a nurturing, safe, and inclusive environment, a highly qualified team of educators, therapists, healthcare providers, and specialized professionals work collaboratively. This collective effort supports the development of tailored Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for each student, providing consistent support and comprehensive care throughout their educational journey.
The early intervention program at CHEO School lays a solid foundation for academic and personal success, focusing on each child's potential for academic growth and development in physical, communicative, and social domains. CHEO School is dedicated to nurturing each student’s individual abilities, preparing them for successful transitions to their home school boards, and ensuring a bright future.
CHEO School ensures that all children are prepared for a seamless transition to community school boards, building on the foundational skills developed at the school. These transitions are facilitated through a collaborative process involving the educational and therapy teams, as well as parents, and coordinated under the guidance of the School Liaison Teachers under the direction of the CHEO School Principal.
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Our mission statement |
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At CHEO School, we are dedicated to educating students with physical disabilities and associated special educational and developmental needs. Our mission is to prepare students today for tomorrow’s success through an intensive, specialized program that combines therapeutic services with an educational environment. Our vision, "Learning Without Limits," reflects our commitment to fostering an atmosphere where students thrive without barriers.Aligned with the Ministry of Education's priorities, CHEO School aims to enhance student achievement, close gaps in student performance, and boost public confidence in publicly funded education. We work closely with parents, staff, and therapists to establish and monitor personalized goals through Individual Education Plans (IEP) tailored to each student's needs. |
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Our guiding principles |
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Coming to CHEO School
CHEO School is located at 395 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H 8L2 (located directly across from the Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice).
Visit CHEO's Maps and Locations page for more information.
Administration |
PrincipalMari Murray Office AdministratorLynette Hickey Liaison TeachersJennifer Bygrave Ginette Fournier Janice Woolgar |
Educational team |
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CHEO School's 2024-25 Educational Team:
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School visitors |
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All visitors to CHEO School must sign in with the Office Administrator at the school office (room 127). Office Administrator: The Office Administrator will greet you and ask you to sign-in. School staff will be notified of your visit to the school. The school doors are always locked for the safety of our students. |
Parking |
| Limited parking is available for short visits to the school. Please inform the Children’s Treatment Centre front desk receptionist of your visit, where a parking pass will be provided. For larger school functions and events, families are asked to park in the pay parking areas. If this presents a challenge for your family, please contact the school Principal. |
CHEO School daily schedule |
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Safe arrival, departure and attendance procedures |
Getting to and from school safelyYour child will be greeted each morning at the bus/van and escorted at the end of each day. No child is left alone at any time. If your child is going to be absent from school, please let us know. You may email or call the school at any time: Email:Lhickey@cheo.on.ca If your child is absent from school and we have not heard from you, we will call you to ensure that they are home and safe. Pick-up and drop-offA parent or childcare provider must be present for both morning and afternoon pickups. Have your child ready five minutes before their scheduled time. Routes may vary due to weather, traffic, and the number of students. If no one is available to receive the child, the driver will try to contact you. If contact is not possible, the child will be returned to the school or, if closed, to the bus base. Late or absent?Parents and families are requested to inform the school if their child will be late or absent. Please report absences by 8:00 AM each day to the Office Administrator by leaving a message on our absence reporting line at (613) 737-7600, Ext. 2934. Be sure to state the reason for the absence. You can call the absence line at any time. All absences will be recorded. If your child is expected to be absent for an extended period (more than 15 days), please provide a written explanation for the absence, as this is required by the Ministry of Education. If you need to pick up your child during the school day, you must notify either the Office Administrator or the classroom teacher. Children will only be released to individuals who have been authorized by signed parental permission. It is essential to have up-to-date legal custody agreements on file for each student, which clearly state any access arrangements. In case of any conflicts, these agreements will be strictly adhered to by the principal. |
Transportation and bus services |
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CHEO School facilitates but does not directly plan or provide transportation. Transportation is provided to and from CHEO School, in the morning and after school, and is organized by the school office through partnerships with area school boards. Students use wheelchair-accessible buses or vans with necessary car seats or booster seats. Notify the CHEO School Office Administrator at least five days in advance for alternate pickup/drop-off locations or if you are moving. |
Illness and health protocols |
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If your child shows symptoms of illness such as vomiting, fever, diarrhea, nasal discharge, runny nose, or heavy congestion, please keep them at home for 24-48 hours after the symptoms have ceased. Immediate notification to the school is required if your child contracts chickenpox, measles, whooping cough, or any other suspected communicable diseases. CHEO School will adhere to the Ottawa Public Health guidelines in all cases of suspected communicable disease. Should your child exhibit any of the mentioned symptoms while at school, parents or families will be contacted immediately. Many of our students are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, and our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all students at all times. |
Medication, medical procedures and documentation |
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Students who require medication during school hours must have an Administration of Medication Authorization Form on file. This form must be completed and signed by the student’s family. It is mandatory for educational assistants to have this signed authorization along with a photo of the prescription label that details the medication administration procedures before they can administer any medication. Educational assistants will administer medication strictly according to the doctor's prescribed instructions. Each administration will be recorded daily in the Student Medication Log, kept in the classroom’s safety cupboard. This record will then be stored in your child's school record folder. All medications must be securely stored in a locked box within the safety cupboard. Educational Assistants are the only school staff authorized to administer medication. Students on placement and volunteers are strictly prohibited from administering medication. For safety and compliance, all medications must be in their original pharmacy-labeled containers. No other containers will be accepted for medication storage or administration. This policy is communicated to parents every September during school registration. |
Joining School Council |
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Parents and families are welcome to attend activities and meetings offered by the CHEO School Council. Currently, the School Council hosts events throughout the school year and parents, families, students and staff are encouraged to attend. If you would like to participate and/or assist with the planning of events, please contact the school Principal. |
CHEO School admissions and services
Admission process to Junior and Senior Kindergarten
CHEO School is one of six Section 68 schools in Ontario operating within a children’s treatment centre. Admission to Junior and Senior Kindergarten is available to CTC clients who have a primary diagnosis of a physical disability with possible associated complex needs. Applicants must demonstrate readiness to engage with the learning expectations outlined in the Ontario Kindergarten Program.
Admission criteria
Admissions criteria |
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Admissions process |
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The admission process begins with a referral to CHEO School Liaison Services, which can be made through CHEO’s Access Team. The admissions committee meets in February to evaluate applicants for the September intake. Parents will be informed of their child’s placement between March and April. Admissions outside the regular school calendar year may be considered for extenuating circumstances. It is important to note that submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance as CHEO School may receive more referrals than we have spaces. For more information please contact CHEO School Liaison Services, or CHEO School Administration. Steps:
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