Turn your child's kindergarten program into a full-time program with our Learn &  Explore program option. Learn & Explore is available at select locations based on annual interest. Students who attend a regular half-time Kindergarten class, have the option of attending Learn & Explore for the other half of the day. 

Frequently Asked Questions about our Kindergarten/Learn and Explore Program

What does a day in Kindergarten look like?

A Day in Kindergarten
What do we learn in Kindergarten?
Early Literacy A is for apple: Your child will begin to understand that letters have sounds and that together those sounds form words and carry meaning. 
Early Numeracy Learning numbers and solving problems with patterns: Your child will represent and describe quantities of things up to 10. 
Citizenship & Identity: I am unique and i belong! Your child will develop a strong sense of identity, self-esteem, and belonging by exploring their environment and sharing stories. 
Environment & Community Awareness: What do I see, smell, and hear in my community? How do I shape the environment? Kindergarten children explore materials, build structures, and use technology to explore, investigate and describe their world. 
Personal & Social Responsibility: I know how to act and how to work and play with others. Kindergarten children develop ways to express their feelings positively and to show respect and care for others. 
Physical Skills & Well-Being: A healthy body is part of a healthy life.  Your child will begin to develop a love for physical activity through movement, games, and activities. 
Creative Expression: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Drama, art, music, and dance give your child ways to express their ideas and feeling, to bring their imagination to life and to see their creativity in a variety of forms.
Our Kindergarten Programs provide learning experiences that meet the needs of all children. Children move through similar stages, but with their own pattern and at their own rate of development and learning. When children enter the Kindergarten Program there may be as much as a year's difference in age between the oldest and the youngest - one-fifth of their lifetime! 
The learning expectations of the kindergarten program are adapted and modified to meet the needs of each child.

What are the benefits of attending Learn & Explore during Kindergarten?

Prairie Rose Public Schools believes in the importance of building a solid foundation in the early years. To enhance our strong early childhood program, students who attend a regular half-time Kindergarten program have the option of attending Learn & Explore for the other half of the school week. This will allow all children the option to receive additional programming to support the development of early literacy, early numeracy, motor skills and social emotional growth in child centered learning environments.

Children enrolled in the optional additional programming will actively explore their environment and the world around them through a process of learning based play. The learning activities will encourage the children to think creatively, to explore and investigate, and to solve problems as they develop their literacy skills and physical well being. Students spend time at various centres set up to focus on specific skills like fine and gross motor practice, letter and number recognition, problem solving, inquiry and art or music.

Do all children have to attend Learn & Explore in Kindergarten?

Learn and Explore is an optional program offered to families. 

What will it cost for a Kindergarten child to attend Learn & Explore?

The cost for Learn and Explore is $265 per month. 

IF Cox School: Starting September 2025, the IF Cox School full-time Learn and Explore program will be licensed through Kindercare. This change qualifies families for the child care subsidy grant. Parent cost after grant is $150 and includes tax receipt.

Why is there a cost to attend?

Alberta Education provides funding for half-time kindergarten programs. Understanding the critical period of child development for young children, Prairie Rose has chosen to invest additional time and resources into full -time programming (Learn & Explore). The fee supports staffing and program costs.

What options are available for paying monthly fees?

Fees will be collected through a Pre-Authorized Debit plan.  Watch for more information to follow.  

Is there a subsidy available for families?

This is an educational program, meaning it does not qualify for the childcare subsidy (with the exception of IF Cox School for Sept 2025). 

Low income families who are experiencing difficulty with fees may be able to apply to  have fees waived if applicable.  Please contact your school to inquire. 

Will a receipt be provided for income tax purposes?

A receipt will be provided to families; however, this is an educational program and is not an eligible child care expense on income taxes. Government of Canada – CRA Child Care Expenses Information 

How can families register?

Please register through the online registration link on our website.

If a child is pre-registered for kindergarten for the school year, can they still register for the Learn & Explore option?

Yes. If you have already completed your registration and did not indicate that you were wanting a Learn and Explore option, please contact your school.

Is Learn & Explore available at all PRPS elementary schools?

No. At this point in time, full-time Learn & Explore Kindergarten programming will be based on interest and minimum enrolment requirements. Please see the 2024-2025 Kindergarten and Learn & Explore schedule or 2025-2026 Kindergarten and Learn & Explore schedule to see if your school may be offering this program. 

Who will teach Learn & Explore?

The Learn & Explore program is typically led by a level 3 certified Early Childhood Educator and supported by a certificated teacher.  The combination of staffing will vary based on school location and enrollment numbers.

Is there transportation provided for Kindergarten children? 

Transportation is available to children who live within the school boundaries and qualify under the distance requirements outlined in the School Act/Education Act. Transportation application forms will be assigned to those students who indicate they require transportation once their online registration form is submitted.

How old do children have to be to attend Kindergarten?

Our 2025-2026 Kindergarten program is for students that turn 5 by December 31, 2025.  

What are the hours for the Learn & Explore program?

Each school has a unique bell schedule. The Kindergarten and Learn & Explore programs typically run the same as the school day, however, the hours can vary from school to school.