Considering our Program? Here are some Common Q & A’s
|If you are currently considering kindergarten or junior kindergarten options for your child, we’d love to chat with you! Use our “Contact Us” form or send us your child’s online registration form to get the conversation started.
If you just have a few questions and prefer to look for an answer here, then ….. read on!
IS THIS A PRIVATE SCHOOL?
No. Dalhousie Community Kindergarten is a publicly-funded, independent community school. Children in our kindergarten program are funded through grants from Alberta Education, similar to other public school boards in Alberta. We are an accredited, independent ECS Operator funded by Alberta Education. Alberta Education does not allow independent kindergarten programs to charge tuition for standard kindergarten hours, and requires that the same curriculum is taught in all public ECS programs across the province. We typically offer additional hours of instruction (about 20 hours – at no extra cost) and provide the opportunity for children to progress beyond the cirriculum learning expectations – if they are ready!
Our Junior Kindergarten program is tuition based. This option is for children who are at least 4 years old in September and ready for more of a challenge, or children who turn 5 between September 1 and December 31, but are choosing to delay their funded kindergarten year until the following September. Please see Program Information for additional details and current fees.
CAN STUDENTS FROM ANY COMMUNITY REGISTER?
Yes! In fact, if your child is attending as a government funded kindergarten student and you live more than 1 km from our school, you will receive a grant of $703 to cover your transportation costs. This grant is provided by Alberta Education for “Parent Provided Transportation”
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM AND OTHERS?
We don’t mean to brag, but several things come to mind:
- our small class size (maximum of 18 students) allows our teacher to spend time with each child as an individual – and, we have a full time assistant in our class who also spends important one-on-one and small group time with your child.
- our dedicated and experienced staff (both teacher and teacher’s assistant) teach kindergarten as their chosen speciality because teaching early learners is their chosen passion! They have experience teaching older grades and what is needed to prepare your child for the future. You will have ready and easy access to our teaching staff to discuss any concerns or observations you may have about your child. Together, we make a great team!
- our large sunny classroom space, excellent outdoor spaces including a fantastic playground (shared with only a small number of peers), small hills for tobogganing, an outdoor skating rink, and large open spaces for games, running and exploration.
- our commitment to daily outdoor time. Every day the weather allows, we get our students outside for fresh air, exercise and the opportunity to either find a quiet space or raise their voice and jump, climb and play. We believe this is essential for several reasons – mental and cognitive health, teaching independence as well as providing opportunities for collaboration, communication, decision making, problem solving…… the list goes on!
- our community focus and the opportunity for parent involvement. Being par of our program often results in lasting relationships between our families. Parents can always use the support of others – sometimes just a quick hello or chat about life as a parent can make a big difference in your day!
- our size! We are small, which means we are responsive, available and personal. You get lots of access to our teacher. We provide lots of updates and communication about what is happening in class, and we can easily adjust and adapt to each class’s needs and characteristics. There is no large remote school board – just a really dedicated team who are passionate about providing an exceptional start to your child’s education journey.
- our experience and commitment to unique and memorable learning experiences (field trips, classroom visitors, hatching ducklings, skate and swim lessons, and so many more special class activities!) We do these many extras because we know they are invaluable learning experiences. Not all important learning takes place in a classroom setting, and new experiences build such important life skills and self confidence.
IS THERE ON-SITE CHILDCARE AVAILABLE?
Yes. The Dalhousie Community Association operates a licensed and accredited childcare program in our building. They offer care before and after our classes, and there is a direct transfer of care between their staff and ours (i.e. if you drop your child off before class with them, they will bring your child to our classroom for the start of school, and will pick them up after class.) They offer flexible options of 2, 3 and 5 days a week as well as coverage for non-instructional days. This program qualifies for subsidy and the Affordability Grant. Please confirm all details directly with their program. Their info is found under the Programs tab at dalhousiecalgary.ca
CAN ANY CHILD ATTEND THE OUT OF SCHOOL CARE PROGRAM?
Children who are kindergarten aged (i.e. will be 5 years old by Dec 31) can attend the before and after school care program offered by the Dalhousie Community Association. PUF funded children who may require additional support while in the child care program may be able to apply for funding through FSCD (Family Supports for Children with Disabilities) to make their attendance possible.
WHAT ABOUT TRANSITION TO GRADE 1?
Children from our program move to several different schools for grade 1. Parents have consistently reported that the transition to a new school is typically not a problem. Grade 1 can be a big transition for all children – with longer days, increased structure and more children. Kindergarten in our program gives your child a solid year to develop their self confidence, independence, and communication skills. Our unique learning opportunities give your child lots of exposure to new environments, challenges and ultimately, opportunities for success! We believe this leaves them in a stronger position for grade one experiences. They will be well equipped to navigate the new social interactions that are a part of every child’s transition to a new classroom. Your child will also leave us with a strong foundation in academics: letters, sounds, sight words, numbers, and math concepts. In particular, our program emphasizes early literacy and language learning to help ease the transition to another program. And importantly, a positive start in kindergarten lays a great foundation for your child’s positive outlook on education and their own abilities.
WHAT ABOUT A GYM OR A LIBRARY?
The children have access to the community centre’s hall for indoor physical education, as well as the outdoor skating rink, sledding hill, and amazing playground. (We try to have outdoor activity time every day that the weather cooperates.) We have an extensive collection of books that are always changing based on our classroom themes, and we bring new resources into the classroom on a regular basis.
DOES THE JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM QUALIFY FOR CHILDCARE SUBSIDY?
No our tuition based option can not be reduced via childcare subsidy. We operate as a school and are not a licensed childcare program. Unfortunately this means you can not apply for childcare subsidy to offset our tuition, and the Affordability Grant does not apply.
IS THERE ROOM IN NEXT YEAR’S CLASS?
Yes – we currently have limited space! Please see our registration page for more details. Class size will be limited to 18 students.