Preschools in Canada

The benefits of attending preschool go much deeper than simply better school performance

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Preschool is an educational option for parents in Canada that is not mandatory and is for children who are too young to attend junior-kindergarten or kindergarten school programs.

Preschool programs, run by school boards across Canada in most provinces and territories, usually start at age four or five, depending on the province you live in.

Also referred to as nursery school, early childhood education [ECE], day care and childcare, preschool starts for most children who are entered into the program at two-and-a-half years old. Depending on the school's policy your son or daughter may have to be toilet-trained to attend, but isn't always a requirement. So be sure to inquire. The government does not usually fund preschool, so often parents must choose a private preschool option.

Benefits of preschool

Why should children attend school at such an early age, especially if your province does not offer it?

According to The Early Years Study, a 2011 report authored by Margaret McCain, Dr. Fraser Mustard and Kerry McCuaig, early education can provide positive impact on school readiness, graduation levels, future earnings, and health.

The benefits of attending preschool go much deeper than simply better school performance: Experts say that early education promotes a lifelong love of learning. Other benefits of preschool include:

• Increased social interaction
• Improved social skills and manners
• Opportunity to learn through play
• A jump-start on basic knowledge like reading, writing, math and concepts like seasons and telling time
• Developing character skills including independence and self-reliance
• Introduction to activities like music, dance and sport
• A structured routine which can help children flourish
• Easier transitions - exposure to the routine of school early on helps children transition into the school environment when they are older
• Interaction with children of different age groups. Buddy systems help students learn from each other and model the behaviour of older students.

Types of preschool

There are a number of types of private preschool in Canada, each having its own philosophy and approach to education. A few of these types include:

• Play-based
• Academic
• Montessori
• Waldorf
• Reggio Emillia
• Community preschool programs
• Religious programs

Teacher-to-student ratios in preschool

It’s important to note that one common denominator between the abovementioned types of preschools is that they are all mandated by the Ministry of Education to ensure a specific teacher-to-student ratio is maintained. This ratio will change depending on where you live and the age of your child.

These ratios are enforced to ensure that your young child is properly cared for. Whether you’re looking at a private preschool, not-for-profit preschool or home care by a licensed childcare provider you should ensure that these ratios are maintained.

How to choose a preschool

Children aged two and a half (and sometimes as young as two) are often ready for preschool. But how do you know if a preschool program is right for your child?

Children naturally learn through play. In fact, between two and 20 per cent of a young child’s time is typically spent playing. If your child knows what it’s like to play then they are likely ready for preschool.

Additionally, toddlers who excel verbally, socially, cognitively, and creatively are probably ready for preschool.

Although separation anxiety is common in young children, if your child needs personal attention and acts out when you leave them then they may not be ready for preschool.

Ultimately, sending your child to preschool is a personal choice. The first step is to determine if your child is ready. No one knows your child like you do.

The next step is to start doing your research:

• Understand what is typically included in preschool programming
• Get a sense of what a day at a preschool is like
• Explore the learning philosophy of your school and compare these with your own family values and aspirations for your child. This process will help you narrow down the type of preschool you should focus on
• Search for preschools using our advanced search or browse our private school directory

Once you've done your research, you're ready to narrow down your choices:

• Visit the school’s open house, arrange a tour, meet the teacher and sit in on a class. Ask lots of questions (link to questions to ask when searching for a preschool)
• Bring your child in for a visit. Watch them interact with other students, see how they like the environment, teachers and peers
• Ensure that the preschool is reputable and registered with the Ministry of Education
• Trust your instinct. You know your child better than anyone and by visiting the school, talking with the teachers and staff and seeing your child in the environment you’ll get a feeling for if this preschool is the right fit

Preschool trends

Maria Montessori once noted that “play is children’s work.” The brain develops with stimulation, and play provides that stimulation at every stage of a child’s life. Preschoolers love pretend play and through pretending form symbols, use language, and interact with others. They begin to play simple games with predictable rules, which help children build an understanding of complex social interactions (Woolfolk, Winne, Perry Educational Psychology).

Preschool costs

Many parents are surprised to learn the cost of preschool at a private school is affordable in comparison to childcare elsewhere.

According to the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators, the average Montessori school costs between $750 and $1,000 a month.

Private schools like Halifax Christian Academy in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Halton Waldorf in Burlington, Ontario and St-Laurent Academy in Ottawa, Ontario all have preschool programs with monthly tuition costs between $487 and $1,100 a month.

Of course, the actual cost of preschool will vary greatly, depending on your location.