Welcome prospective families!
Join Our Board
SNS Needs You!
Did you know?
Our nursery school is a parent cooperative - this means our community of families make decisions about the school and run the administration side of things.
Without parent involvement, our school is unable to function! SNS needs our parent volunteers to step forward and fill these Board roles.
About SNS
Introduction
About our program
A parent cooperative preschool
About our program
Strathcona Nursery School promotes a learn through play environment for 2½ to 5 year olds. We emphasize play because play enhances children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth and development. Through play, children learn to concentrate, exercise their imagination, try out ideas, rehearse behaviour, and make sense of their world.
This year, we're proud to have very small class sizes and a bright and fun classroom! We take every possible precaution to ensure a safe and healthy school community, including a new commercial sanitizer unit.
Our Philosophy
A parent cooperative preschool
About our program
Strathcona Nursery School strives to present a high-quality, developmentally appropriate program based on a learn though play philosophy. It is the goal of Strathcona Nursery School and its teachers to provide an opportunity for preschool children to play in a mixed-age setting, encourage their creativity and curiosity with a wide range of materials and activities, and foster a sense of security and self-confidence in children by offering them a safe setting in which to develop relationships and solve conflicts.
A parent cooperative preschool
A parent cooperative preschool
A parent cooperative preschool
All families at Strathcona Nursery School are members of a parent-led cooperative preschool, which means that the success and well-being of the school depends on your commitment and dedication throughout the year. The parent body works together toward common goals, the most important of which is to provide a happy, safe, and satisfying preschool experience for SNS students.
Parental involvement is essential for the effective operation of the cooperative. The quality of the preschool is directly related to the efforts and commitments of the entire parent body. You are encouraged to talk to the teachers about any special interests, hobbies, work, etc. that you would like to share with the students.
A day in the life of your child
Daily routine
Each session includes a variety of activities, many of them self-directed by your child. This empowers them to develop self-confidence and independence. Therefore, the order and timing of the activities may vary. These include:
- Outdoor Play ( ~ 30 minutes) - Weather permitting, the students play outside.
- Free Choice (55 mins) - The students explore the many classroom-learning centres, share stories both from books and telling, or take part in process or project art.
- Snack Time ( ~ 10 minutes) - In support of self-directed participation in the program, children bring their snack into the room with them when they enter. They are supported in deciding when they want to eat. Handwashing, conversation, practicing table manners and clearing up their snack are all part of the available experience. Teaching staff invites snack participation but never forces it.
- Clean up (~ 15 minutes) - After free playtime, toys and equipment are tidied up. Children are invited to join the adults in this process. Those who are not ready to help in the tidy up process are approached with respect and understanding, often they join in when they’re ready or go to the Gathering area to wait.
- Gathering Time ( ~ 15 minutes) - Before going home, children and teachers gather together for story, music and reflection activities. Then it is custom to say thank you to one another and sing a goodbye song before leaving.
Cohorts and schedule
We operate 5 mornings and 4 afternoons each week with approximately 13 children in each session.
- Mornings - 9:15 - 11:45 a.m. daily, Drop off is between 9:00 and 9:10 a.m..
- Afternoons - 1:15 - 3:45 p.m daily (no Thursday afternoon session) Drop off is between 1:00 and 1:15 p.m.
We learn and play together
Play and Whole Child Development
Play and Whole Child Development
Play and Whole Child Development
Through play, the whole child is developed.
- Physical Needs - Large muscle development and body-coordination are developed through the use of climbers, large blocks, balls, riders, sleds, mats and jumpers. Small muscles and finer co-ordination are developed through small blocks, puzzles, crayons, paints, clay, sand, and musical instruments. Students are taught body care methods and needs through special themed subjects, activities, resource persons, etc.
- Emotional Needs - Students are offered a consistent routine and encouragement in an atmosphere of caring, concerned adults who are sensitive to their feelings and needs.
- Social Needs - A preschool of mixed and similar ages makes companionship possible. Under the guidance of the teachers, the program provides many experiences in sharing, waiting one’s turn, and managing relationships.
- Cognitive Needs - Through special activities, games, music, stories, visitors or outings, curiosity is stimulated, and ideas grow.
About Nursery School
Play and Whole Child Development
Play and Whole Child Development
Students at Strathcona Nursery School learn to:
- Express thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others
- Manage behavior in a group setting
- Compromise
- Show empathy
- Co-operate
- Express him or herself through art, music and play
- Make friendships
- Become more independent and develop self-confidence
Benefits for SNS families:
- The satisfaction of participating in your child’s preschool experience, understanding their routines, learning about their play
- Being a part of a strong parent network
- Witnessing your child’s love of learning develop
- Ensuring the smooth operation of the school through your involvement
We learn through play!
Play with sensory scarves (before COVID-19 protocols)
Construction and teamwork (before COVID-19 protocols)
Project: trap Teacher Christina! (before COVID-19 protocols)
Sandpit play (before COVID-19 protocols)
Class trip to Royal Alberta Museum (before COVID-19 protocols)
More information
Hear from our Children
Hear from our Children
Hear from our Children
Still not sure? Hear from our current SNS children!
This year we're looking at a buddy system for new families! Let us know if you'd like to participate.
AHS Inspections
Hear from our Children
Hear from our Children
We are proud of our approach to health and safety. Alberta Health Services' inspectors think so too!
School Calendar
School Calendar
School Calendar
We typically follow the EPSB school calendar (except PD days). Parents will receive more detail prior to the start of the school year.
Parent Handbook
School Calendar
School Calendar
We provide the final version of this handbook to confirmed families.
Registration requirements
Age Requirements
Age Requirements
Age Requirements
Children must be at least 30 months old (2.5) on their start date.
Children who are between 30 and 35 months (2.5 - 3) may only attend a maximum of 2 sessions per week, preferably on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Children aged 3 - 5 may attend up to 4 sessions per week.
Fees
Age Requirements
Age Requirements
As a parent co-operative, our fees are very competitive. We aim to cover the school's expenses through a combination of fundraising and school fees.
There is a non-refundable registration fee of $50.00.
Monthly fees are as follows:
- 1 day/week -$82.00
- 2 days/week- $154.00
- 3 days/week - $221.00
- 4 days/week - $278.00
These fees are provided for information purposes. All fees are subject to change based on enrolment, as well as the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Additional fees, including field trip fees will be outlined in the parent handbook provided to registered families.
All families will qualify for the affordability grant and some may qualify for the new provincial child care subsidy. More information can be found here.
Family Participation
Family Participation
Family Participation
As a parent co-operative, the families run the business of the school. Parents are expected to both volunteer and attend parent duty days. Details on volunteer expectations will be further outlined in the parent handbook provided to registered families.
There are a variety of volunteer roles available, from board membership to cleaning bees. Each role has an expectation of time commitment, and help to ensure the continued administration of the school.
Duty days are required to provide an extra set of helping hands in the classroom. One member of each family must volunteer for approximately one session per month.
FAQ
Family Participation
Family Participation
- Will I need to pack snacks or are they provided? Snacks are not provided at SNS, children will need to bring their snacks in a sealed container. *No Nuts!
- What happens if my child is struggling during the day? Our teachers have decades of experience, and know how to recognise a child that needs a little extra attention. That being said, they will never force a child to attend if they are having a tough time, and contact parents with any issues.
- Does my child need to be potty trained? Children don't need to be potty trained. Make sure to send children with extra changes of clothes if they are learning!
Still have questions? Please let us know using the form below. We will respond to all questions and update this page as we answer them!
Reviews
We're more than just childcare
Check out this great video about what it means to be part of our nursery school community. Thanks for taking the time to read and learn all about us!
If you still have questions we held a live Q&A, watch it here.
Questions?
Book a tour!
Thursdays in March, see the form above
Strathcona Nursery School
Strathcona Centre Community League, 10139 87th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 2M1, Canada
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