Programs offered
Strathcona County offers programs for children on their preschool journey. Our indoor and outdoor spaces encourage children to interact with others while they explore, play and learn. Children take an active role in their learning with the support of our instructors.
Choose from:
- Parented programs where children learn new skills with a loved one nearby
- Unparented programs where children get used to being away from home, or
- Pre-kindergarten programs where children prepare for school.
Registered programs and drop-in times run at different recreation facilities in Strathcona County throughout the year.
Preschool programs
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A wonderful opportunity to play with your child and make new friends. Parented programs help your child build confidence for unparented adventures.
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Children explore independence in unparented classes. Programs focus on social development and strengthening fine and gross motor skills in a fun and safe environment. Each class has scheduled time to play at the indoor playgrounds or outside.
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Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) programs (4Y-5Y)
Permanent link to Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) programs (4Y-5Y)This program is for children who are four years old and attending kindergarten the following year. Pre-K programs support the transition to school by providing play activities that develop language and literacy, pre-math, physical movement, and social skills. Each class has scheduled time to play at the indoor playgrounds or outside.
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Day camps offer engaging indoor and outdoor play opportunities including art, stories, games, and physical movement activities that your child will love.
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Parented drop-in
Families with young children can enjoy parented drop-in times in the unique play spaces at the Kinsmen Leisure Centre and Ardrossan Recreation Complex. The Preschool Playground and Love to Play room are designed to encourage imagination and exploration in a fun and safe environment.
Cost: Parented drop-in times are included with regular facility admission rates and on the Active Pass.
Unparented drop-in
Unparented drop-in welcomes children ages 2-5 years to explore, discover, and learn through play facilitated by our preschool instructors. Parents or caregivers can take some time for themselves, run errands, or workout in our facilities.
Cost: Preschool $16 drop-in fee applies.
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Know before you go
There are a few things you may want to know before taking part in Strathcona County preschool programs.
Know before you go: preschool guidelines and procedures
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The instructor will greet you and your child and guide you through the drop-off process. A parent or guardian is required to sign-in and sign-out their child each day.
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Children must be fully toilet trained before starting unparented programs. For extra reassurance, little ones may wear a pull-up during program time. If an accident occurs, parents will be contacted to attend to any changing needs.
What to bring to class:
Ensure that all items outlined below are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
- A backpack with indoor shoes and extra clothes.
- A water bottle.
- A small, nut free snack for half-day programs (3 hours).
- A small, nut free snack and lunch for full-day camps (6 hours).
- Please leave items like toys and blankets at home.
Prepare for outdoor play:
- Recommended winter wear:
- Wear layers to allow for regulation of body temperature.
- Choose a hat that covers the whole head, including the ears.
- Appropriate footwear such as running shoes, rain boots, or winter boots.
- Wear pants that are warm and waterproof. Snow pants are recommended for colder months and rain pants are recommended for rainy days.
- Mittens are better than gloves for keeping hands warm, as fingers generate more heat when they are not separated.
- Recommended summer wear:
- Dress your child in layers to allow for regulation of body temperature.Â
- Open-toe shoes such as sandals are not recommended.Â
- Apply sunscreen and bug spray prior to drop-off.Â
- Bring a hat for additional sun protection. Â
About preschool programs
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Our preschool programs reflect the importance of play in a child’s healthy development. Through intentional teaching practices, purposefully designed learning environments, and enriched activities, our inquiry-based recreation programs offer children opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge in a fun and safe environment.
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We use an inquiry-based approach to program planning. Activities are developmentally appropriate and based on the interests of the children. This provides engaging learning opportunities for the children in our programs, as they are encouraged to explore topics that are important to them.
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Drop-in times and registered programs are available for multiple ages, including parented, unparented, and pre-kindergarten options. Parented and unparented programs run between 4 to 11 weeks and pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) programs run for up to 11 weeks during the fall, winter, and spring sessions. We use an inquiry-based approach to program planning. Activities are developmentally appropriate and based on the interests of the children.
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Preschool programs run out of Strathcona County recreation facilities including Ardrossan Recreation Complex, Strathcona Olympiette Centre, Kinsmen Leisure Centre, and Millennium Place. Our programs have access to facility amenities such as the Preschool Playground, Edu-tainment Centre, Love to Play Room, mini-gyms, and unique outdoor play spaces. Preschool rooms are equipped with numerous learning centres including art, blocks, dramatic play, sand and water, nature and science, math and manipulatives, and literacy which are vital to the hands-on experiences provided in each program.
For facility locations see the Strathcona County recreation facilities map.
Common questions
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1. Why choose Strathcona County preschool programs?
Permanent link to Why choose Strathcona County preschool programs?Each day is specifically balanced to provide group and individual hands-on exploration. Children find success as they develop physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. A rich learning environment is developed in the classroom as children and teachers engage in meaningful conversations, stories, singing, creative activities and play that engages the whole child.
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2. What qualifications do Strathcona County preschool instructors have?
Permanent link to What qualifications do Strathcona County preschool instructors have?Instructors are certified in Standard First Aid and CPR-C, National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP)-Fundamental Movement Skills, and High Five- Principles of Healthy Child Development. Instructors also take part in professional development opportunities that keep their skills and knowledge current in the fields of recreation and early childhood education.
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3. Which Strathcona County facilities offer preschool programs?
Permanent link to Which Strathcona County facilities offer preschool programs?Preschool classes are currently offered at Kinsmen Leisure Centre, Millennium Place, Ardrossan Recreation Complex, and Strathcona Olympiette Centre.
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4. Does my child need to be potty trained?
Permanent link to Does my child need to be potty trained?Children must be fully toilet trained before starting unparented programs. For extra reassurance, little ones may wear a pull-up during program time. If an accident occurs, parents will be contacted to attend to any changing needs.
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5. Do I need to bring a snack for my child?
Permanent link to Do I need to bring a snack for my child?Please send children with a water bottle. Half-day (3 hour) programs need a small, nut free snack. Full-day (6 hour) programs need a small, nut free snack and lunch.
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No, parents are not required to volunteer.
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7. What should my child wear to their preschool program?
Permanent link to What should my child wear to their preschool program?Comfortable clothing that is washable and shoes for running in. Remember when choosing clothes your child will be painting, gluing, and participating in gym time or outdoor play. Also, include a change of clothing in case of a spill or accident. 
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8. What happens on the first day of programs?
Permanent link to What happens on the first day of programs?Our instructors will greet you, collect the program forms, and answer any questions you may have. You will sign-in your child, say goodbye, and the preschool instructors will begin the program.
Program forms can be completed ahead of time:
Participant Information Form and Severe Allergy Form. Leave the completed form(s) with your child’s instructor. -
9. Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Permanent link to Who can I contact if I have further questions?Doreen Paradis, Preschool Programmer or Brittany Mulligan, Assistant Preschool Programmer
preschoolprograms@strathcona.ca
Questions?
780-467-2211
recreation@strathcona.ca
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Last updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Page ID: 38417