About Your Child
Q: How old does my child need to be to attend?
A: Your child must turn 3 years old by December 31st of the current school term. For example, to enter the 3 year old class in September 2023, your child needs to have been born during the 2020 calendar year.
Q: My child was born in December and seems so much younger than the other children, should he still be attending?
A: You know your child best. It is common for children to begin attending preschool before their 3rd birthday. If you have questions about your child’s readiness for preschool, please feel free to contact the school and make an appointment to meet with one of our Teachers. They would be happy to answer your questions and discuss your family’s unique needs.
Q: My child isn’t toilet trained, can she still attend preschool?
A: Yes! We welcome children whether they are fully toilet trained or not. Our Teachers are more than happy to work with your family and continue the potty training plan your child is used to. We ask that if your child is not fully toilet trained, that you bring in enough diaper or pull-ups you believe your child will need.
Q: What do I do if my child still naps in the afternoon, and only the afternoon class is available?
A: Naps are important. Many families have found that doing a short nap after preschool works until their child has fully grown out of naps. The supervisors of the afternoon classes also expect and plan for a class that might be a bit more tired and/or growing out of naps.
Q: What if my child requires additional support to participate in preschool?
A: We welcome all children into our classes, and work closely with the Supported Child Development Program (SCDP) to ensure all our children receive the support they deserve to fully participate in our programs. If your child has been involved support programs, such as the Infant Development Program, Early Intervention Program or other programs, please feel free to let us know. We will work with your family and our SCDP Consultant to welcome your family to our school.
About Our Classes
Q: What time are classes in session?
A: We offer two – 3-year-old classes and two – 4-year-old classes.
3-year-old classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays:
Morning classes are from 9:15 – 11:30 AM
Afternoon classes are from 12:15 – 2:30 PM
4-year-old classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays:
Morning classes are from 9:15 – 11:30 AM
Afternoon classes are from 12:15 – 2:30 PM
Q: Tell me about your preschool routine?
A: A typical preschool day begins with the children arriving at the preschool, getting settled in and starting with a welcome group time. Group time often consists of Songs, Attendance, checking the Weather, and finding out what is happening that day. The children then continue their day with Free Play where they can choose from various activities that are set up by the teachers each day, including such things as art activities, experiments, dramatic play, block building and gross motor activities. There are multiple stations that remain the same on a daily basis, but we always have many rotating play areas with new and interesting things. After playtime, the children meet with the teachers and duty parents on the carpet for story time, games and songs. From there it is Snack Time followed by Outside Playtime where families pick their children up.
Our days may vary due to special events, classroom visitors or other planned activities. Or it may snow and we may choose to spend the day outside in the park!
About Our School
Q: What is a “play based” philosophy?
A: “Parent Participation Preschools are founded on the principle of learning through play. Current research shows that young children learn best through play-based environments. Play provides essential opportunities for children to explore, experiment and learn about the world around them. Our well crafted programs provide both free play and directed play activities to foster creativity, socialization, critical thinking and problem solving skills.” www.cpppreschools.bc.ca
Q: What is a Parent Participation Preschool? How does a Parent Participation Preschool differ from other preschools?
A: Parent participation preschools (PPP) are a special type of early learning centre in which parents or other family members play a unique role in the classroom.
Q: What does it mean to be a duty parent?
A: Being a duty parent is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together with your child in the preschool classroom. You become an active participant in your child’s preschool experience, playing alongside the children, teachers and other duty parents.
In our school, duty parents rotate between three main roles: Art, Hand Washing and Snack. Throughout the class, duty parents help out where needed, with the guidance of the Teachers. Typically, each family can expect to be scheduled for duty 1-2 times per month, and on these days you and your child arrive 30 minutes prior to class and stay approximately 30 minutes after class.
Q: Who can be a duty parent?
A: Duty parents can be an immediate family member, such as a mother or father, or an extended family member, such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle.
Q: What kind of certification do your teachers have?
A: All of our Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors have an Early Childhood Education Certificate and current first aid training. Both our supervisors also have a Special needs and a Infant/Toddler Specialization Certificate.
Our Teachers also do regular professional development in the area of Early Childhood. A wide range of professional development topics are scheduled meaning our Teachers are always receiving up to date information and new ideas. As an executive team, we also budget funds each year for our teachers to attend additional professional development activities, based on their own unique professional development and interests.
Registration Information
Q: How do I register my child for preschool?
A: There are three possible registration categories for our preschool, based on whether one of your family members has attended in the past:
Current Members: for families who are currently members and are enrolling again for the following year.
Alumni: for families who are not currently members (no child is currently attending) but have been members in the past
General: for families who have never been a member of the preschool in the past.
Registration in each category is based on a first come, first serve philosophy. Please see the information listed in our events calendar and under the “Enrollment” tab for further information and specific dates.
Q: What would make me qualify for Alumni status?
A: Either you are a returning parent who had another child that has been enrolled or you attended our preschool as a child
Q: Can I come tour the preschool before I register my child?
A: Of course! Every year we have an Open House to welcome parents to have a look at our preschool. This event typically occurs in late January and the specific date is listed in our events calendar. If you are unable to come to the Open House, please call the preschool to arrange an alternate time to visit.
Q: How much are the monthly fees?
A: Our fees are evenly distributed over a 10 month period, from September – June. Each year, our fees are reviewed by that year’s budget committee and are then presented to the members for approval in the April General Meeting. For information about our current fees, please review the information listed in the “Enrollment” tab.
