Is this a private school?
No. Dalhousie Community Kindergarten is a publicly funded community school and an accredited independent ECS Operator funded by Alberta Education. Like other public school boards, our kindergarten program is funded through provincial grants, follows Alberta’s required curriculum, and does not charge tuition for standard kindergarten hours.
We also provide approximately 20 additional instructional hours each year, equal to about 6–7 extra class days.
A tuition-based option is available for Junior Kindergarten students (age 4 by the start of the school year) or kindergarten-aged children who choose to delay or repeat their funded kindergarten year. See Program Information for details.
Can students from any community register?
Yes. We welcome children from any community. Students funded by Alberta Education who live more than one kilometre from the school may qualify for a Parent Provided Transportation Grant instead of bussing. Grant amounts are set annually by Alberta Education. ($703 for the 2024 – 25 school year.)
What Makes Our Kindergarten Program Unique?
At Dalhousie Community Kindergarten, we believe the kindergarten year should be a joyful, engaging, and memorable start to your child’s educational journey. Our program offers several features that help create a supportive and enriching learning environment.
Small Class Sizes
With a maximum of 18 students, our small class size allows the teacher to build strong connections with each child and provide individualized attention. Our full-time classroom assistant works closely with students throughout the day, offering additional one-on-one and small group support.
Passionate, Experienced Educators
Our experienced early childhood educators specialize in kindergarten and create a warm, supportive classroom where children feel known and encouraged.
Bright Classroom and Excellent Outdoor Spaces
Students enjoy a large, sunny classroom along with excellent outdoor spaces, including a fantastic playground, small hills for tobogganing, and open areas for running, games, play, and exploration.
Daily Outdoor Play
Weather permitting, children spend time outside each day for fresh air, physical activity, imaginative play, and discovery.
Memorable Learning Experiences
Throughout the year, students participate in enriching activities such as field trips, special visitors, skating, swimming, and hands-on classroom projects. Past experiences have included unique activities such as hatching ducklings in the classroom.
A Strong Community Connection
As part of the Dalhousie Community Association, we encourage parent involvement and foster lasting friendships among families.
A Small, Supportive Program
Our smaller, community-based program creates a close connection between families and educators, allowing for regular communication, individualized attention, and greater flexibility than is typically found in a larger school system.
Is there on-site childcare available?
Yes. The Dalhousie Community Association operates a licensed and accredited Out of School Care program in the same building, offering before and after school care with direct transfer between programs.
Flexible 2, 3, and 5 day options are available, along with care on non-instructional days. The program may qualify for subsidy and the Affordability Grant. Please confirm details directly through the Dalhousie Out of School Care program.
Can any child attend the Out of School Care Program?
Children who will be 5 years old by December 31 of the school year 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 attend with funding through FSCD (Family Supports for Children with Disabilities) for extra staff to make their attendance possible.
What about transition to Grade 1?
Children from our program move on to many different schools for Grade 1, and parents consistently report that they transition with confidence and strong readiness skills. Because our program focuses on independence, communication, problem-solving, and early academics, students are well prepared for the longer days, increased structure, and larger class sizes of Grade 1.
Our smaller, personalized environment allows children to build self-confidence and adapt to new situations through hands-on learning and varied experiences. Students leave with a strong foundation in early literacy, language development, letters, sounds, sight words, numbers, and math concepts, helping them enter Grade 1 feeling capable, prepared, and ready to succeed.
What about a gym or a library?
Children have access to the community centre hall for indoor physical activity, as well as outdoor spaces including a skating rink, sledding hill, and playground. Weather permitting, outdoor activity is part of the daily routine.
Our classroom also features a large, ever-changing collection of books, with new resources regularly added to support learning and exploration.
When does tuition apply?
Tuition only applies if your child is not eligible for funding through Alberta Education. This may include children who:
- Are Junior Kindergarten age (at least 4 years old by September but not yet 5 by December 31), or
- Have a birthday between September 1 and December 31 and are delaying or repeating their funded kindergarten year.
Can your tuition option be offset by childcare subsidy or affordability grant?
Because we operate as a school rather than a licensed childcare program, Childcare Subsidy and the Affordability Grant do not apply to our tuition. However, these supports may apply to the childcare portion of the day if your child is enrolled in an additional care program.
Is there room in next year’s class?
Registration for the the school year begins on October 15 for the upcoming school year. Please see our registration page for more details. Class size will be limited to 18 students.