Our full-day French Kindergarten Program allows your child to continue to develop learning fundamentals and prepares them for elementary school.
KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
Our full-day Kindergarten Program is designed to prepare students for elementary school in French and in English. Through song, games, painting, sculpture, and classroom workshops, students develop and hone learning fundamentals. Children in our Kindergarten Program refine essential skill foundations such as the ability to listen, memorize and express themselves in a class setting.
Our Kindergarten Program allows your child to:
• Learn French
• Learn English
• Interact with others in a safe social setting
• Acquire the basics of reading, writing, and numeracy
Each Kindergarten class is taught by a certified teacher and an assistant. All teachers are fully certified by the French Ministry of Education or Alberta Education. They are specialized in early childhood development and education.
The program is taught in French 80% of the time. Students also receive five hours English Language Arts instruction per week, distinguishing it from French immersion Kindergarten programs in Calgary.
About the Program
The Kindergarten Program runs from September to June, Monday to Friday, from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm, with a half-day on Thursday. On Thursday, students are in class from 8:45 to 11:45 am, and complimentary childcare is available from 11:45 am to 3:45 pm (registration required).
The Before and After School Program, Hot Lunch Program and school break day camps are available to all Kindergarten students. More information about these programs is available under Student Life.
Progress Booklets
All students are assigned a Progress Booklet in which teachers track skill development and highlight key abilities such as “I can say my name in front of a group” or “I recognize and say the first letter of my name”.
The Progress Booklet:
• Facilitates learning since children are aware of what is expected of them and are able to see their past achievements
• Allows teachers to personalize learning activities to best suit the needs of a child
• Positions parents to help their child develop key skills at home thanks to clearly defined learning objectives
The emphasis of this Progress Booklet is on validating and documenting development successes as well as tracking skill progression. The Progress Booklet is sent home periodically throughout the school year and parents can review it with their children to see active skill developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical day look like for Lycée Kindergarten students?
A typical morning routine for Kindergarten students includes:
• Free play
• Structured learning activities
• Physical exercise to develop motor skills
• Supervised outdoor play
• Storytime and conversation
• Snack time
• Art or singing
• Lunch
In the afternoon, they participate in a learning activity, supervised outdoor play, followed by storytime or singing to relax prior to pick-up.
How old does my child have to be in order to enrol in the Kindergarten Program?
The Kindergarten Program is offered for children who will be 5 years of age by December 31, of the year of enrolment.
Where are Lycée teachers from?
Our teachers and staff come from all over the world and are a true reflection of our school’s commitment to providing our students and families with a fully multicultural experience. All Kindergarten Program teachers are native speakers and have received their teaching credentials from the French Ministry of Education and Alberta Education.
How many hours of English education do students receive in the Kindergarten Program?
Students in the Kindergarten Program have 5 hours of English Language Arts education per week with an Alberta Education certified teacher (the rest of the week is taught in French by a teacher certified by the French Ministry of Education). Students are encouraged to use French or English when communicating with their peers, depending on whether it is French class or English class.
Do students enrolled in the Kindergarten Program have outdoor playtime?
Yes. Students enrolled in the Kindergarten Program have their own playground and go outside in the morning, after lunch and in the afternoon (weather permitting). Several adults supervise children during these important times of social play.
Does the school provide lunches and snacks?
All students must bring their own lunch unless they are enrolled in the Hot Lunch Program. Students enrolled in the Hot Lunch Program are required to bring a morning and afternoon snack.
In the Kindergarten Program, a teacher or an assistant supervises lunch and snack times.
Do students enrolled in the Kindergarten Program visit the school library?
Yes, students enrolled in the Kindergarten Program have weekly visits to our school library. After story-time with our school librarian, students pick out age-appropriate books in French or English to take home.
The library contains over 14,000 publications specifically chosen for child development.
Does the Lycée offer childcare during break weeks and summer vacation?
To support the needs of working parents, we offer day camps during every school break. Camp activities vary depending on the age of your child.
Does the Lycée have a uniform for Kindergarten students?
Yes, children are required to follow the school dress code outlined below:
• Plain navy pants, shorts, skort, or tunic
• Plain white, red or navy top
• Navy socks or tights.
• Items do not need to be purchased at any particular store.
Fridays are casual dress days for Kindergarten Program students.
How do I learn more about the Kindergarten Program?
We frequently offer open houses and are able to provide private tours of our facilities per request.
Additionally, you can learn more about our Kindergarten Program by contacting our Admissions Team directly here.