Preschool Program

Foothills School Division offers a Preschool Program that provide children with a warm, caring atmosphere. We firmly believe that play is essential at this stage of a child's life. Play is the work of young children - the way in which they come to understand how the world works and to gain a sense of how to control their environment.

The Preschool Program is delivered at these Foothills School Division locations:  Big Rock Elementary in Okotoks; Cayley School in Cayley; Spitzee Elementary School in High River; plus Ecole Joe Clark School in High River.  We are pleased to announce that, beginning in the fall of 2010, children attending Preschool at Ecole Joe Clark School will have the option of experiencing this program in full French Immersion!

Foothills also offers a Preschool "English as a Second Language" program available to all young learners aged 3½ years by September 1st of the school year.   The ESL Preschool Program is found at the three Foothills schools offering Preschool: Big Rock School, Spitzee Elementary School and and Cayley School. 

Foothills has created several play areas in their Preschools, each providing experiences designed to help your children learn to explore, investigate, discuss, problem solve, express creativity, and develop emotionally.

To ensure an appropriate balance between play and structure, every day will include free play as well as circle time, stories, songs, crafts and a variety of hands-on activities.

The following six principles, taken from the Alberta Education Kindergarten Program Statement, provide a framework for our Preschool Program:

1. Young children learn best when programming meets their developmental needs.
2. Young children with special education needs, through early intervention strategies, develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that prepare them for later learning.
3. Young children, including those with special needs, develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes that prepare them for later learning.
4. Young children build a common set of experiences through interaction with others.
5. Parents have the opportunity for meaningful involvement in the education of their young children.
6. Coordinated community services meet the needs of young children and their families.

 Preschool Program Brochure

 Preschool Program Handbook