History of Small Set

Small Set Co-operative Nursery School has been a cherished part of the Midland community since its founding in 1981. Born from a vision to create a nurturing, high-quality preschool experience, Small Set began as a collaboration between passionate parents, dedicated community members, and educators from the Simcoe County School Board and Midland Secondary School (MSS). The idea was simple but powerful: to build a preschool program rooted in care, connection, and child-centered learning—one that would serve both local families and students studying child development at the high school level.


Originally located within Midland Secondary School, Small Set quickly became more than just a classroom—it became a community. Ken Woods and Debbie Bonthron were instrumental in gaining the support of the school board and securing space in MSS.  Parents worked closely with founder and the school’s inaugural teacher Kathy Stewart (aka Miss Kathy) taking an active role in shaping the day-to-day operations, fostering a strong sense of ownership and partnership as board members and volunteers. For many years the school provided not only an enriched early learning experience for preschoolers, but was also a unique lab school environment where secondary students could gain real-life insight into early childhood education.


As the years passed, the spirit of Small Set continued. Following the COVID pandemic and the school remaining closed, a group of parents came together to re-open and offer the play-based learning, social interaction, and a part time preschool experience. With the closing of Midland Secondary School, the school relocated to its current home in the bright and welcoming space at St. Paul’s Church in the heart of downtown Midland. Despite the change in setting, the heart of Small Set remained the same—warm, inclusive, and rooted in community.


Over the decades, hundreds of children have walked through Small Set’s doors, each one greeted with care, curiosity, and a commitment to their individual growth. For many families, Small Set is more than just a nursery school – it is where lifelong friendships begin for children, parents and families, where shy voices grow bold, and where parents find comfort in knowing their children are loved, understood, and encouraged every step of the way.


Today, as a licensed, not-for-profit co-operative preschool, Small Set continues to be a place where families feel heard and where children thrive. Our educators, board members, and parent volunteers remain dedicated to creating an environment where every child feels safe, confident, and excited to learn. We are proud to be a long-standing hub in our community. As we look ahead, we remain grateful to everyone who has helped shape Small Set into what it is today: a warm, spirited, and ever-evolving place where children are free to be exactly who they are.
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