2024/2025 Open House and Registration FAQs
Q: Where are you located?
A: Little Aspen Playschool is located in beautiful Royal Gardens, in a standalone building with our own private space. We have a park beside the building, and are very close to St. Boniface Elementary School and École Richard Secord Elementary School.
Q: What kind of programming do you offer?
A: Little Aspen provides a play oriented program that encourages the development of physical and intellectual abilities, contributes to the development of positive self-esteem, and encourages the desire to learn and develop socially, emotionally and creatively. Children are exposed to a variety of different activities/centres including arts and crafts, blocks, house corner, sand/water, construction, table toys (puzzles, games, pre-reading skills) books, music and movement and science. There are also play oriented activities such as painting, singing, role playing, storytelling, and movement.
With respect to social, emotional and creative growth and development goals we model and strive for the following:
social: appropriate interactions with peers, to be cooperative and share with others and take turns
emotional: learning about and understanding developmentally appropriate feelings, working through change and transitions, develop confidence and self-worth with pride in their gains
creativity: exposure to new and creative media, a variety of crafts and experiences both inside and outside targeting fine and gross motor skills
Q: What classes do you offer?
A: For the 2024/2025 school year, we will be offering:
3 year old class: Tuesday/Thursday AM
4 year old classes: Monday/Wednesday AM, Monday/Wednesday/Friday PM
3/4 split year classes: Tuesday/Thursday PM; Friday AM
Please note that class offerings are subject to change due to registration numbers and accommodating as many families as possible. Classes will be finalized no later than July 15, allowing families to make any necessary decisions ahead of the August 1, 2024 withdrawal deadline prior to school starting.
Q: Can my child be registered in more than one class?
A: Yes, as long as we are in compliance with current Alberta Health guidelines. Registration allows you to prioritize your preferred choice of classes; if you would like to register your child in more than one class, please send an email to registrar@littleaspenplayschool.com indicating that. If your child is registered in more than one class and it is no longer a possibility within Alberta Health guidelines, you will be notified ahead of the August 1, 2024 withdrawal deadline prior to school starting in order to make a decision.
Q: When does my child need to turn 3/4 years old to be eligible for classes?
A: For our 3 year old class, children need to turn 3 by December 31 of the school year; for our 4 year old classes, children need to turn 4 by December 31 of the school year (December 31, 2024). For our 3/4 year split classes, children need to turn 3 by September 1 of the school year (September 1, 2024).
Q: How big are your classes?
A: There is a maximum of 15 children per class, with one teacher and one teacher’s assistant.
Q: How long are classes?
A: Classes are three hours long. The morning class runs from 8:45-11:45am and the afternoon class runs from 12:45-3:45pm.
Q: How much outdoor time is offered?
A: Weather permitting (e.g. no colder than -15 degrees), the last 30 minutes of each class is dedicated to playing outside. Outdoor time is offered and enhanced whenever possible.
Q: Are there any mandatory parent duties?
A: Parents must sign up for and complete one job board duty per child but there are no duty days or mandatory fundraising at Little Aspen. We do run several optional fundraisers to support our program for those who are interested. Rather than hold mandatory cleaning bees, we have a twice per year cleaning fee that covers regular, professional cleaning. In addition, 2024/2025 is not scheduled to be a casino year.
Q: What are your fees?
A: There is an annual, nonrefundable registration fee of $65 and once per term cleaning fees of a maximum of $50 each due in September and February; there is a signed credit card form required for the parent job board ($100), to be charged only if the parent job board duty is not completed. With the Alberta Childcare grant, our class fees have been reduced and are as follows:
One class per week: $25/month
Two classes per week: $65/month
Three classes per week: $132/month
Four classes per week: $203/month
Five classes per week: $272/month
Note: Families may also be eligible for an additional $125 per month fee subsidy based on household income. Families must apply on their own for this additional subsidy, which would be sent directly to the playschool to reduce tuition fees. More information can be found here https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.aspx
Q: When does registration open?
A: February 3, 2024 at 8:00am