Starting Your Child in Preschool: A New Chapter Begins
Sending your child off to preschool is a significant milestone—both for them and for you. It marks the beginning of their formal education, offering a space where they can grow, explore, and develop essential social and academic skills. While it may feel like a big step, preschool is an exciting opportunity for your little one to gain independence, make new friends, and discover the joy of learning.
As a parent, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. But remember, this is just the start of an exciting journey. With love and support, your child will thrive in this new environment, creating memories and building foundations that will last a lifetime.
To help you on this journey, I’ve compiled a list of upcoming preschool open houses in the area. Visiting these schools can give you a better sense of the environment and help you make an informed decision about the best fit for your child. Starting preschool is the beginning of a lifelong love of learning, and finding the right place can make all the difference!
**Please note they are in order by date**
**Some are by appointment only**
Little Aspen Playschool Society
Little Aspen Playschool is a non-profit, parent co-operative preschool located in the heart of Southwest Edmonton and has been a fixture in the community for nearly 40 years. The playschool is located in a stand-alone building at the Royal Gardens community hall, with our own private space, access to playground, spray park, greenspace, and community gardens.
Our non-profit status allows us to stay true to our core values. We offer small class sizes, providing a 3 hour, play-oriented program for three and four year olds that encourages the development of positive self-esteem and promotes the desire to learn and develop socially, emotionally, and creatively.
At Little Aspen Playschool, we strive to give our students the best first learning experience and prepare them for kindergarten. Children get exposed to different activities and carefully chosen centres to help build their gross and fine motor skills. Play-oriented activities such as painting, singing, role-playing, storytelling, and movement make up the core of our programming. We also offer a daily outdoor time when weather permits. Little Aspen’s two warm and experienced teachers are committed to creating a fun, happy, and secure place for your child where they can benefit from socialization with peers.
We offer involvement without in-class duty days and no obligatory fundraising, and a parent-led board of directors. LAPS is subsidy eligible. Find out why families keep choosing Little Aspen!
Open House
January 28, 5:30-7:30pm
Check our website for more information.
http://littleaspenplayschool.com
Registration opens February 1 at 8 a.m.
LCDS Preschool & Kindergarten School Program Information
LCDS Preschool & Kindergarten Program is a not for profit, early childhood education program,
welcoming children aged 3 to 5 years of age from our surrounding neighborhoods and outside Edmonton communities.
We offer a structured routine incorporating free play and teacher led learning focusing on kindergarten readiness. LCDS has been operating since 1972 in the north Edmonton community. The program was originally located within M.E. Lazerte High School, relocating in the Griesbach neighborhood and presently within Gateway Alliance Church. Parent Involvement plays a key role in the success and quality of the program.
Philosophy
LCDS is a unique early learning program that combines both preschool and kindergarten aged children in a single classroom.
We provide a structured, play-based learning environment that is language rich and designed to be both engaging and fun, with a strong focus on kindergarten readiness.
Lead by a teacher with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology, and supported by an experienced Educational Assistant, and volunteer parents, our program offers a balanced daily routine of guided learning and play. The Alberta Education Kindergarten Curriculum is introduced to all children through enjoyable activities and themes throughout the school year.
Our goal is to help children build a solid foundation for future educational success.
What does the half day program look like?
Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten Arrival (8:45am, 12:45pm)
Teacher directed curriculum goals
Preschool Children Arrival (9:00am, 1:00pm)
Self Directed Activities
Writing & Art Centre
Listening Centre
Transportation, Building and Block Centre
Manipulative Centre
STEM Centre Doll House Centre
Playhouse, Dramatic Play Centre
Sandbox/Water table
Teachers assist the children in putting away toys and materials used at free play centers.
Circle Time
Teacher directed learning activities
Movement break – song/dance/movement activity
Group Washroom Break
Snack/Conversation Time
Children are served snack as a group to promote conversation and food awareness
Story Time
Independent early literacy exploration and Teacher led story
Movement break – song/dance/movement activity
Project Time
Curriculum related projects designed for listening, following directions, fine motor skill, development, introduction to art materials, scissors, glue, etc.
Cooking days, scavenger hunts, math and science activities.
Self Directed Activities
Writing & Art Centre
Listening Centre
Transportation, Building and Block Centre
Manipulative Centre
STEM Centre
Doll House Centre
Playhouse, Dramatic Play Centre
Sandbox/Water table
Clean-Up
Teachers assist the children in putting away toys and materials used at free play centers.
Departure (11:45am, 3:45pm)
We have a final circle time to review what was presented in class, to hand out projects
and other work, and to say “Good Bye”.
Students are dismissed directly to their parents or guardians.
LCDS Website: www.lcdskids.com
Address: 13931-140th Street (school is a separate business located inside Gateway Alliance Church)
Phone number: 780-473-7216 Office Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm (Monday to Friday)
Open House Dates:
Wednesday, January 29th, 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday, February 26th, 4:30pm – 6:00pm
Individual appointments can be arranged through the school office for a tour.
Trial classes are available by appointment, a parent or guardian must attend with the child.
Jumpstart Learning Academy
Program Philosophy: Approach | Jump Start Preschool | Jumpstart Learning Academy
At JumpStart Learning Academy, our preschool program is rooted in a hands-on learning philosophy, emphasizing structured activities that cater to each child’s unique learning style. We integrate music, drama, and traditional methods to create a comprehensive educational experience, fostering both individual and group learning.
Literacy Development: We prioritize literacy by incorporating phonics, rhyming, segmenting, blending, and storytelling into daily activities. This approach builds a strong foundation in both oral and written language skills.
Problem-Solving Skills: Rather than relying on memorization, we focus on understanding underlying concepts to develop effective problem-solving abilities. For instance, we teach letter sounds and their representations, enabling children to grasp the fundamentals of language.
Scaffolded Learning: Utilizing techniques from the latest body of research about the ‘science of reading’, we teach letters in a sequence that supports the development of printing skills, helping children learn to write letters correctly while simultaneously learning their sounds and blending them together to read.
Reading & Writing: From day one, we model reading and writing through activities like the “morning message,” which introduces concepts such as directionality of print, letter recognition, and punctuation, building confidence and familiarity with written language.
By providing a customized education tailored to each child’s developmental level, JumpStart ensures that students enter kindergarten with the skills and confidence needed for continued success.
Academy Locations:
Ambleside Location – 3580 Allan Drive SW
Windermere Location – 3574 Allan Drive SW
Chappelle Location – 6409 Cartmell Place SW
Edgemont Location – 20041 Lessard Rd NW
Open House Dates
Ambleside/Windermere: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 4pm-6pm
Chapelle: Tuesday, February 11, 2025 4pm-6pm
Edgemont: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 4pm-6pm
Link to Open House Registration
https://myschool.jumpstartlearning.ca/open-house
Rio Terrace Community Preschool
Discover, Explore, and Grow at Rio Terrace Community Preschool!
For over 50 years, Rio Terrace Community Preschool has been a cherished neighborhood program, where families and teachers come together to create a nurturing and engaging environment for young learners. We offer play-based, emergent learning programs for 3 & 4 year-olds, fostering creativity, social growth, and curiosity through hands-on discovery.
Our afternoon program for 4 year-old and kinder-aged children is nature-based, encouraging outdoor exploration, resilience, and a deep connection with the natural world. Through active play and guided discovery, children develop confidence, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong love of learning.
Registration is now open! Visit www.rioterracepreschool.ca to learn more and secure your spot today! Adventure awaits!
Explore our space and meet our team at our Open House
Wednesday February 5 from 5PM-7PM
Located at 15500 76 Ave NW
Ladybug Playschool
At Ladybug Playschool, we believe that children learn through play and that learning should be fun! Every day brings a new adventure – a chance to learn and grow. Playschool is a place of growth and learning. Ladybug Playschool provides your child with the socialization skills and desire to learn that will prepare them for kindergarten and beyond.
“I believe that education is a lifelong process, and the building blocks of learning are developed in the early years of school. I feel that early childhood educators have one of the most important jobs because they are preparing children for the world of learning. It is important for each child to be able to explore, learn and grow at their own pace. I will support the children with an enriched environment that will enhance each child’s emotional, social, creative, physical, language and cognitive development. I will be a positive role model creating a classroom environment that is safe, warm and nurturing.
I value working in partnership with parents/families to provide the best possible learning opportunities for the children in Ladybug Playschool. I believe that education is a gift that lasts a lifetime.” – Mrs. Mac
Address: 6210 188 Street, Edmonton T5T 5T4.
LINK: https://ladybugplayschool.com/register.html
Open house: February 12, 2025, 5 pm- 7 pm
Lessard Community Playschool
At Lessard Playschool, we offer a learn through play program for 3 & 4-year-olds. Our safe and welcoming classroom
supports each students’ mental, emotional, physical, and social development, while building confidence in oneself.
Our program offers students the predictability of a schedule, promoting security and confidence so that they may feel
empowered to explore and learn. Staff enrich the learning opportunities by offering uninterrupted free play time and
creating a variety of invitations to play that are based on common interests of our students.
Our program offers two morning classes; MWF (9:00am-11:30am) 4-year-old class and T-Th (9:00am-11:15am) 3&4-year-old class.
Our teacher team is led by a teacher with a B.Ed. degree and 10+ years of experience at Lessard Playschool. Our teacher assistant is a previous Lessard Playschool parent and has been assisting our classes since 2020.
We look forward to welcoming families to our classroom at our open house on:
Thursday, February 13 from 5:00pm-7:00pm!
Lessard Community Playschool
17404 – 57 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
Email: playschool@lessardcommunity.ca
Website: https://lessardplayschool.ca/
Crestwood Montessori Preschool
Crestwood Montessori School invites prospective parents ALL YEAR to watch a preschool/kindergarten class in action.
Just call or email to make an appointment and spend time with us to watch the children and ask us any questions you may have.
We are proud of our program and feel that the best way for you to get a feel for what we do is to experience it firsthand! We offer
morning or afternoon classes, where you can choose from either five, three or two classes per week. We are a mixed age classroom, licensed for children 2.5 to 6 years of age.
At Crestwood Montessori we offer a warm, loving environment where the child will have:
An individualized curriculum that follows the child from one developmental stage to the next Experienced Montessori
teachers that help the children learn to help themselves and gain confidence in all abilities A well rounded program that excites and encourages each child’s absorbent mind.
https://www.crestwoodmontessori.com/
Check out our website and our Google reviews!
We are located at 10042-164 Street.
Email: dawnkburgess@gmail.com
Prescolaire des Petites Etoiles
French Introduction Preschool
Learning more than one language is an asset and teaching early learners a second language will benefit them today and throughout life. Our Learn through Play program incorporates Flight – Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework. Classes are conducted in both English and French.
Petitesetoiles.ca
(780) 447-5595
10209 123 Street Northwest – Edmonton AB T5N 1N3
Preschool Tour:
By appointment on Thursdays or Fridays @ 11:30 am to 12:30 pm