Our full-day Preschool Program allows your child to learn French, socialize with others and acquire the fundamentals of learning, reading, writing, and numeracy in French and in English.
Preschool
Our Preschool Program welcomes students ages 3 & 4 and allows your child to:
• Learn French
• Socialize with others their age
• Become familiar with the fundamentals of reading, writing, and numeracy
Lycée Calgary utilizes a unique learning combination of song, games, painting, arts & crafts and dedicated classroom workshops to develop core learning fundamentals.
Preschool class sizes are limited to 16 students to ensure adequate one-on-one time between student and teacher.
Each class is taught by two adults, a certified teacher and an assistant. All teachers are accredited by the French Ministry of Education and have specialized in early childhood development.
The Preschool Program is mostly delivered in French as this is the best time to develop language and processing skills.
About the Preschool Program
The Preschool Program runs from September to June, Monday to Friday from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm, with a half-day on Wednesday from 8:45 to 11:45 am (complimentary childcare service is offered from 11:45 am to 3:45 pm on Wednesdays).
The Before and After School Program, Hot Lunch Program and day camps during school vacations are available to all students enrolled in the Preschool Program. More information about these programs can be found under Student Life.
Progress Booklets
Each student has their own “Progress Booklet” in which teachers will 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 emphasis of this Progress Booklet is on validating and documenting successes as well as tracking skill progression. Parents are able to review this booklet at any time to see active skill developments.
The Progress Booklet:
• Facilitates learning since children are aware of what is expected of them and are able to see their past milestones
• 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 clear learning objectives
For detailed Program learnings, view our Preschool (3YO) Progress Booklet and our Preschool (4YO) Progress Booklet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical day look like for preschool students?
Mornings usually include:
• Free play
• Learning activities
• Physical exercise to develop gross motor skills
• Supervised outdoor play
• Storytime
• Snack time
• Art or singing
• Lunch
In the afternoon, students are free to nap as needed. They then participate in a designated learning activity and supervised outdoor play, followed by storytime or singing to relax prior to pick up.
What are the age requirements for the Preschool Program?
The 3-year-old program is offered for children who will be 3 years of age by December 31 of the year of enrolment.
The 4-year-old program is offered to children who will be 4 years of age by December 31 of the year of enrolment.
We do not accept children in these programs below or above the specified ages.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
We require that all students enrolled in the Preschool Program be fully potty-trained by their first day of school.
The school is not equipped to accommodate students who are not potty-trained.
Where do the teachers come from?
Lycée teachers come from all parts of the globe and reflect our school’s commitment to providing students and their families with a multicultural experience.
All Preschool Program teachers are native French speakers and have received their teaching credentials from the French Ministry of Education.
How many hours of English education do students receive in the Preschool Program?
Our Preschool Program is mostly delivered in French since this is the best time to develop and hone language skills.
Students begin receiving education in English in the 3 & 4 YO program (30 minutes per day) and Kindergarten (one hour per day).
Do students enrolled in the Preschool Program go outside?
Yes. Students enrolled in the Preschool Program have their own playground and go outside in the morning, after lunch and in the afternoon. Four 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 Preschool Program, a teacher or an assistant supervises lunch.
Do students enrolled in the Preschool Program visit the school's library?
Yes, students enrolled in the Preschool Program visit our library once a week where, after storytime, they can pick out age-appropriate books in French to take home. The library contains over 14,000 references specifically chosen for child development.
Does the Lycée offer preschool childcare during the summer?
To support the needs of parents, we offer day camps during every school vacation. We have specifically designed activities for our 3 and 4-year-olds aimed at continuing skill development even while on break.
Does the Lycée have a uniform for preschool 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 Preschool Program students allowing students to wear anything appropriate for an educational center.
How do I learn more about the Preschool 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 Preschool Program by contacting our Admissions Team directly here.