Kindergarten

Find out what year your child will be attending Kindergarten by using our Kindergarten Calculator.

Edmonton Catholic Schools is pleased to offer half-day kindergarten programming in our schools. These programs are rich in oral language, literacy, exploration, and discovery. 

Our Kindergarten program is taught by a certified teacher based on Alberta’s K–6 Curriculum. Visit Kindergarten at Glance for more information.

Kindergarten Programming Highlights:

• The classroom is where students learn and explore ideas together while working towards the Kindergarten curriculum.
• The teacher plans and develops lessons and will teach the curriculum to the whole class as well as in small groups and 1-on-1.
• The classroom teacher creates meaningful learning opportunities by setting targeted learning goals for the children to work towards achieving.
• The teacher assesses the children’s understanding and reports on the student’s achievements to parents/caregivers including formal reporting.
• Play-based opportunities take place throughout the Kindergarten Program to support the student's natural curiosity as they begin to understand the curriculum being taught.

Please contact your school directly for further information on their kindergarten programs. 

To find your school:

• Use the School Locator Tool to locate the nearest program
• Find school profile and website links using the School Directory

We offer Kindergarten with Full-Day Programming in select schools for children in their Kindergarten year.  The Kindergarten with Full-Day program is half-day, and has an Extensions program offered for the other half of the day to create a full-day of programming.

The Kindergarten program is taught by a certified teacher and is based on Alberta Education’s Program of Studies, while the Extensions program is provided by an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) that guides meaningful play experiences and is based on Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework, as an anchor for the program.

Kindergarten Programming Highlights:

• The classroom is where students learn and explore ideas together while working towards the Kindergarten curriculum.
• The teacher plans and develops lessons and will teach the curriculum to the whole class as well as in small groups and 1-on-1.
• The classroom teacher creates meaningful learning opportunities by setting targeted learning goals for the children to work towards achieving.
• The teacher assesses the children’s understanding and reports on the student’s achievements to parents/caregivers including formal reporting.
• Play-based opportunities take place throughout  the Kindergarten Program to support the student's natural curiosity as they begin to understand the curriculum being taught.

Kindergarten Programming is based on Alberta’s K–6 Curriculum. Visit Kindergarten at Glance for more information.

Extensions Programming Highlights: 

• The studio learning environment is a space that has real-life experiences that embed concepts in ways that are meaningful to children in a play-based context.
• The Early Childhood Educator takes the curiosity of the child and co-creates projects and interest-based centres for the children to engage in and to let their learning take flight.
• A sense of community is fostered through social-emotional learning.
• Children learn self-confidence by engaging in problem-solving experiences that support risk-taking and creative thinking through evolving projects.
• Creative expression is nurtured in a multi-modal approach that explores a variety of fine art experiences that include art, drama and musical exploration.
• Visible learning is promoted to the school community and families through Early Childhood Educator documentation that supports the child's view of their world.

The Extensions Program is guided by the Alberta Early Learning and Care Framework.

To find an ECSD school offering Kindergarten with Full-Day Programming:

• Use the School Locator Tool to locate the nearest program
• Find school profile and website links using the School Directory

Edmonton Catholic Schools offers several language programs that begin in Kindergarten. These include:

• Cree Language and Culture Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin
• English (regular programming)
• French Immersion
• Spanish Bilingual
• Ukrainian Bilingual

To learn which schools offer these programs in Kindergarten, please click here. 

There are many ways that you can make the transition to school go smoothly for your child:

• Talk often about Kindergarten and reassure your child that it will be an exciting experience.
• Attend the Kindergarten Open House at your child’s school in the spring.
• Find out when your child can meet his/her teacher and have a tour of the classroom before school begins in the fall.
• Help your child develop a sense of responsibility. Encourage your child to learn to look after his/her belongings.
• Read with your child daily and have conversations about the books read.
• Explore the world that your child lives in. Talk about what your child sees. Point out signs, numbers and letters that he/she sees.
• Provide opportunities for your child to interact with other children to promote the development of social skills.
• Encourage your child to know his/her personal information (i.e. first and last name and phone number).
• Celebrate together in the little accomplishments that occur each day.
• Pray together.

What should I tell the teacher about my child?

• The Early Learning teacher and the school will want as much information as possible. Some guidelines that might help the teacher get to know your child better include:
• How does your child feel about coming to school?
• Has your child been in pre-school or daycare or will this be his/her first experience away from home?
• What are your child’s special passions or interests?
• What are your child’s special needs? (This includes everything from allergies to fears, unique physical or medical conditions, previous speech and language intervention, emotional or behavioural patterns, or any major change that might be occurring in your child’s life).

What will my child learn in kindergarten?

In addition to the teacher, Alberta Education is a great resource and publishes a parent resource called My Child's Learning. It is a very valuable resource that includes specific information about what your child will learn in Kindergarten. For more information, you may also check out the Alberta Education website.