What are the duties of the parents as part of a parent co-operative?
Can I bring my younger children to class?
What is a typical class like?
How often do children go on field trips?
How do I register my child?
What are the age requirements for enrolment?
What are the duties of the parents as part of a parent co-operative?
Parents help to run the playschool, by (1) either being a member of the executive
committee or fulfilling a volunteer position, (2) performing one cleaning night per year per
child enrolled, (3) being a duty parent, and (4) helping with fundraising.
The executive is made up of parent volunteers that are elected each year. Families not
on the executive committee fill a volunteer role for the year. These roles can range from
being the cooking helper once a month, making scrapbooks for the kids, etc. Parents
sign up for the volunteer positions at the AGM in May. More information about the
volunteer positions can be found in the Parent Handbook.
Parents help keep the playschool clean. The playschool is cleaned once a month,
usually on the third Thursday of the month. Parents sign up for their choice of cleaning
night at the AGM in May. Parents with more than one child registered will perform one
cleaning night per child.
Depending on the class, the maximum enrolment is 12-16 students and on any given
class day there is a duty parent present to help the teachers. The duty parent is
normally the parent, but can be a trusted adult representing your family, such as an aunt,
a grandparent, a nanny, etc. All the families rotate being the duty parent. Frequency of
duty days depends on the number of students in the class and the class in which your
child is registered. In a full class, you would be expected to be a duty parent once every
5-12 weeks.
Fundraising helps cover the costs of the playschool and allows for more enrichment
opportunities for the children. In April, May, or June of 2010, we will be hosting a casino.
An adult representing your family must work a casino shift (one shift per registered child)
for our playschool. If you are unable to perform your casino duties, you will be charged
a $300 fee.
Can I bring my younger children to class?
When you drop off and pick up your child for class, younger siblings are definitely
welcome. However, our license does not allow younger siblings to remain in the
classroom while class is in session. When you are duty parent, you may not bring your
younger children with you. If you would like to spend time with your child in class (as is
the case for some parents at the beginning of the year), you cannot bring your younger
children with you.
Top
What is a typical class like?
We are a Learn-Through-Play program. The class starts with free play time at any of the
different centres. These centres include items such as the water table, the sand table,
play dough, puzzles, playhouse, and train tables.
After approximately 10 minutes, the students are called to the floor to introduce the
weekly theme. Examples of themes this past year include music and movement, people
in our neighbourhood, springtime fun, healthy eating, numbers and letters, our five
senses, and good oral hygiene. There are three craft tables set up reflecting the theme.
The teachers are very flexible with these activities…children can work intensely on just
one, try all three, or simply choose to play if they aren’t interested that day. Crafts
emphasize skills like cutting, gluing, colouring, creativity, and sharing.
After craft time, it is time for the duty parent’s child’s show-and-share time. Your child
brings something special to them to show and describe to the class. This is an excellent
opportunity for your child to build confidence sharing something with the class and
answering questions, and a chance for them to share a bit of themselves with others so
others can know them better. Your child then gets to lead calendar time: counting
through the days, naming the days of the week and the month, and discussing the
weather.
Following show-and-share is time for exercise. The playschool has use of the school’s
gymnasium and gym equipment so children get exercise every class. On nice days in
the fall and spring, children will go to the playground. During gym time, children learn
various skills, such a throwing, catching, and bouncing balls of various sizes, balancing
boards, etc.
Snack time follows a bathroom break and washing of hands. Each child brings a healthy
snack from home. The playschool has a strict NO NUTS policy. The class ends with
story time.
How often do children go on field trips?
Once a month, children either go on a field trip, celebrate a special occasion in class, or
both. Examples of field trips taken by student this past year are the Telus World of
Science, the John Janzen Nature Centre, Fort Edmonton Park, Valley Zoo, and Ortona
Gymanstics. The majority of the time, parents drive the students to and from the field
trip location but we did rent a yellow bus several times this past year (a field trip in itself
for many children!).
Top
How do I register my child?
Registration packages can be picked up in the playschool classroom during the school year or downloaded as pdf files here.
Completed registration forms and deposit cheques can be submitted by mailing them to or dropping them off at:
1857 Holman Crescent NW
Edmonton, AB
T6R 3M1
Please note that registrations are now accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please click here for the Registration Information sheet. This document outlines the deposit cheques required to hold your child’s spot in our playschool.
Top
What are the age requirements for enrolment?
For the 3-year old classes, children must be three by August 31, 2009 (or by special
permission for registration, as assessed by the teachers).
For the 3.5- and 4-year old classes, children must be four by March 1, 2010.
For the 4-year old class, children must be four by December 31, 2009.
Additionally, children must be fully toilet trained. Children cannot be sent to class in
Pulls-ups or equivalent.
Children must be able to communicate in English. This is a safety issue, as students
must be able to communicate with and fully understand the teachers in an emergency
situation.