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Licensed Preschool

Register your child in one of our licensed preschools at The City of Red Deer! Both the Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community centre offer licensed opportunities for your child to learn through play with our high qualified, energetic instructors.
Preschool Programs

The City of Red Deer hosts numerous licensed preschools for children ages 3 – 6. These programs are distinct as they are monitored by the Government of Alberta and qualify for the Alberta Affordability Grants, often reducing the fee significantly or in many cases, making them free.

While all City of Red Deer preschool and family programming upholds high quality standards, licensed programs add an element of regulation that some parents are looking for in their preschool programming. Additionally, being licensed by the Government of Alberta, allows The City to access the Alberta Affordability Grants for childcare, which passes on significant savings to families.

Things you should know about licensed preschool programs

What does it mean to be licensed?

Alberta’s licensed childcare programs must meet the requirements laid out in the Child Care Licensing Act and the Child Care Licensing Regulation. These rules and standards make sure children’s health and safety needs are being met. Alberta Human Services, through Child & Family Services, regularly inspects regulated childcare programs.

The Early Learning and Child Care Regulation specifies the minimum standards to be upheld by all licensed day care, group family childcare, out of school care and preschool programs. These regulations include requirements such as health & safety of children, quality of care, and supervision of children.

Additional health, safety and fire inspections are carried out to meet regulatory standards. Staff are educated with the certifications required for licensing, specific adult-child ratios are upheld and age-appropriate activities are included that are approved and guided by the Government of Alberta. 

Who governs licensed preschool programs?

These programs are governed by the Early Learning and Child Care Act guides the delivery of licensed preschool programs. Find out more here: Early Learning and Child Care Act - Open Government (alberta.ca)

What certifications do preschool staff hold?

All of our preschool programs receive exceptional care, offered through many of the same great staff who deliver our licensed preschool programs. In order to deliver Licensed programs through the Early Learning and Child Care Regulation, the following certifications are required:

  • Early Childhood Education certification
  • Intermediate First Aid
  • HIGH FIVE Principles of Healthy Childhood Development
  • Criminal Record Checks with Vulnerable Sector search.
  • Alberta Childcare Orientation
How does the government subsidy work?

All families hoping to enrol their preschooler in licensed programming will qualify for the Government of Alberta, Affordability grant. In addition, alternative government subsidies may available to offset the cost of child care for eligible families.

For more information, visit Child care subsidy | Alberta.ca

Qualifying for these subsidies can mean that some of our preschool programs are free to attend, or available for a greatly reduced fee. Upfront payment may be required and then The City will issue a reimbursement dependent on grant approval.

What licensed programs does The City of Red Deer offer?

The City of Red Deer offers 8-week short-term licensed programs out of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, and 10 month licensed preschool programs out of both the Collicutt Centre and G.H. Dawe Community Centre.

These preschools are NOT available for on-line registration. *Payment for September is due at registration and a refund will be given in October based on the Government Subsidy and Affordability Grant. For more information or to register please call 403-358-4385 for Collicutt Centre programs, and 403-342-8329 for G.H. Dawe Community Centre programs.

Current Licensed 8-Week Preschools at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre

8 – Week Preschool

Little Explorers:
Tuesdays
9:30 -11:30 a.m.

Energy Blasters:
Tuesdays
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Bounce & Play*:
Tuesdays
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Little Gardeners*:
Tuesdays
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Gym Sports of All Sorts*:
Tuesdays
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

*8 week programs open for registration on the applicable registration date for the season they occur in.

Current September - June Licensed Preschools at the G.H. Dawe Community Centre

September – June Preschool

Skate & Swim
September - June
Mon/Wed
9 – 11 a.m.

Play – Learn – Explore
September – June
Tuesdays/Thursdays
1 – 3 p.m.

Current September - June Licensed Preschool Programs at the Collicutt Centre

Pre-K All Stars
Mon/Wed
9 a.m. - noon

Discovery Kids *Full
Tue/Thu
9 – 11 a.m.

Climb & Skate *Full
Tue/Thu
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Gym & Swim
Mon/Wed
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Gym & Swim
Tue/Thu
2 – 4 p.m.

Five Alive - *Full
Fri
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.