Is the preschool licensed by Alberta Children’s Services?
Yes, Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool is licensed by Alberta Children’s Services for Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten programs.
What does a typical day look like in the classroom?
Greetings - Every day children will be greeted by their teachers and join in for a short free play time in the classroom.
Circle Time – Children sing hello, talk about the theme, have a story based on the theme and discuss the craft that day. Games, songs and discussions promote development in language, number skills and social interactions.
Gym or Musical Time - Physical education is a fun and busy time! There will be a combination of teacher directed and free play with the equipment and instruments provided allowing for gross motor development and creative movement.
Snack – Children as a group wash their hands to sit down for snack provided by the special helper. Having the children get into the practice of washing hands first promotes healthy eating habits. Once snack time is over, the children throw away their own trash. Snack is an important time for children to learn and practice socialization skills.
Centres - Art is an integral part of an early childhood program and a themed craft will be offered each day. Children are free to circulate among the choice of centres and activities set out for them. They are encouraged and guided in cooperative play throughout this time. Rotating centers such as the sand/water table, dramatic play areas, science and discovery, building, puzzles and games, and the story corner will provide rich opportunities for global development.
Closing Circle Time – Show & share and Calendar activities. Each class will wind up with a short discussion of the day's events and discuss what is coming up for our next class. At dismissal time the children will stay in the classroom with the teacher until an adult arrives and they are dismissed.
What is the classroom ratio?
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool we maintain a 1:11 teacher/student ratio in our Jr. Kindergarten classes and a 1:7 teacher/student ratio in our Preschool classes. This exceeds the provincial government ratios of children 3 yrs and older ratio of 1:12.
Are parents required to volunteer regularly for Preschool?
No, parent volunteers are not mandatory. Parents may volunteer on their child’s special helper day if they wish to do so. Most parents attend the last 15 minutes of class to watch their child’s show and share.
What is the school’s Discipline Policy?
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool we respect each child and his or her level of development, individual personality, and their family and cultural influences. We create a positive environment (plenty of toys, activities, space, as well as area boundaries to divide activities) so as to influence behaviour. The program has a set daily routine but allows for flexibility. Clear guidelines are provided so that children know what is expected of them. Limits that relate to safety and protection of self, others, and the environment are clear and are enforced consistently in a positive way. Children are given time to respond to expectations. Teachers may use a variety of strategies depending on the child and the situation. These strategies include: gaining a child’s attention, staying in close proximity to the child, reminding, acknowledging feelings before setting limits, redirecting or diverting, age appropriate choices, and natural consequences. Quiet time may be needed. All children will be treated with respect. Children will not be disciplined in a punitive manner. Our goal is to encourage children to develop respect, self-control, self-confidence, and sensitivity in their social interactions during their time at preschool.
The guidelines for discipline within our preschool are as follows:
Are policies in place for children with serious food allergies?
Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool supports a peanut/tree nut free environment. Snacks are brought from home and monitored daily.
What are the qualifications of the staff?
Our Directors and Teachers hold a Bachelor of Education degree and/or a diploma in Early Childhood Education and have previous teaching experience. All staff must have a valid Childcare First Aid certification and have completed a Criminal Record Check.
Do parents receive regular information regarding the activities and themes being presented to the children?
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool, parents receive a newsletter of events and activities at the beginning of every month.
Yes, Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool is licensed by Alberta Children’s Services for Preschool and Jr. Kindergarten programs.
What does a typical day look like in the classroom?
Greetings - Every day children will be greeted by their teachers and join in for a short free play time in the classroom.
Circle Time – Children sing hello, talk about the theme, have a story based on the theme and discuss the craft that day. Games, songs and discussions promote development in language, number skills and social interactions.
Gym or Musical Time - Physical education is a fun and busy time! There will be a combination of teacher directed and free play with the equipment and instruments provided allowing for gross motor development and creative movement.
Snack – Children as a group wash their hands to sit down for snack provided by the special helper. Having the children get into the practice of washing hands first promotes healthy eating habits. Once snack time is over, the children throw away their own trash. Snack is an important time for children to learn and practice socialization skills.
Centres - Art is an integral part of an early childhood program and a themed craft will be offered each day. Children are free to circulate among the choice of centres and activities set out for them. They are encouraged and guided in cooperative play throughout this time. Rotating centers such as the sand/water table, dramatic play areas, science and discovery, building, puzzles and games, and the story corner will provide rich opportunities for global development.
Closing Circle Time – Show & share and Calendar activities. Each class will wind up with a short discussion of the day's events and discuss what is coming up for our next class. At dismissal time the children will stay in the classroom with the teacher until an adult arrives and they are dismissed.
What is the classroom ratio?
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool we maintain a 1:11 teacher/student ratio in our Jr. Kindergarten classes and a 1:7 teacher/student ratio in our Preschool classes. This exceeds the provincial government ratios of children 3 yrs and older ratio of 1:12.
Are parents required to volunteer regularly for Preschool?
No, parent volunteers are not mandatory. Parents may volunteer on their child’s special helper day if they wish to do so. Most parents attend the last 15 minutes of class to watch their child’s show and share.
What is the school’s Discipline Policy?
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool we respect each child and his or her level of development, individual personality, and their family and cultural influences. We create a positive environment (plenty of toys, activities, space, as well as area boundaries to divide activities) so as to influence behaviour. The program has a set daily routine but allows for flexibility. Clear guidelines are provided so that children know what is expected of them. Limits that relate to safety and protection of self, others, and the environment are clear and are enforced consistently in a positive way. Children are given time to respond to expectations. Teachers may use a variety of strategies depending on the child and the situation. These strategies include: gaining a child’s attention, staying in close proximity to the child, reminding, acknowledging feelings before setting limits, redirecting or diverting, age appropriate choices, and natural consequences. Quiet time may be needed. All children will be treated with respect. Children will not be disciplined in a punitive manner. Our goal is to encourage children to develop respect, self-control, self-confidence, and sensitivity in their social interactions during their time at preschool.
The guidelines for discipline within our preschool are as follows:
- Set up clear, easy to understand expectations. Repeat them as many times as necessary throughout the year. Avoid saying “No” or “Don’t”.
- Reinforce positively when a child is following an expectation by describing what you see. Example: “I see you remembered to throw the trash in the can. Good for you!”.
- When a negative behaviour occurs: First: State the positive expectation (“blocks are for building”); Second: If you see the child is not interested in what he or she is doing or doesn’t feel like doing it, help the child find something else to do.
- If the child’s behaviour is harmful to others, try above step first. If that doesn’t work, stay with the child (children) and model good play techniques. Play with the child or children.
- Speak privately with a child who needs some guidance and attention and explain expectations.
- Help the children problem solve with each other. Facilitate and stay close by as children get back into a play situation. Observe. Time aside with a child may be necessary for a few minutes if behaviour continues.
- Quiet time may be needed. Child will be directed to a quiet area and explained that they are welcome to return to activities when they feel they are ready to play in an appropriate manner.
- If negative behaviours continue and the above steps are not working, call for a parent conference to discuss the child and negative situations that occur frequently. Work with the parents for the benefit of the child.
- If negative behaviour still continues, the Director will call another conference with the parents to discuss the problems and seek further solutions.
- If the child is harming other children continuously, we may ask that the parent attend school with his or her child until we feel the problem has subsided.
- If the general atmosphere of the classroom is continually disrupted by a particular child after all steps are taken; or the Director feels the preschool is not meeting the needs of a particular child, the Director reserves the right to no longer have the child attend the preschool.
Are policies in place for children with serious food allergies?
Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool supports a peanut/tree nut free environment. Snacks are brought from home and monitored daily.
What are the qualifications of the staff?
Our Directors and Teachers hold a Bachelor of Education degree and/or a diploma in Early Childhood Education and have previous teaching experience. All staff must have a valid Childcare First Aid certification and have completed a Criminal Record Check.
Do parents receive regular information regarding the activities and themes being presented to the children?
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool, parents receive a newsletter of events and activities at the beginning of every month.
