Pre-School & Pre-K

The years before Kindergarten are some of the most important in your child's development. Our Pre-School and Pre-Kinders programs give children the academic foundation and social confidence they need — so they walk into Kindergarten ready, not nervous.

Page Summary
  • First Steps Elementary Academy in Red Deer, Alberta offers Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten programs.
  • Semi-structured, academically focused childcare programs 
  • Early literacy, numeracy, science, art, music, and motor skills, with Pre-K following teacher developed curriculum.
  • Flexible scheduling includes half-day and full-day options for families in Red Deer, Blackfalds, and Penhold.

Program Overview

Both programs follow a semi-structured format that balances guided learning with the kind of play that children this age genuinely need. Every day, children receive age-appropriate instruction across reading, math, science, social studies, health, music, art, and fine and gross motor skills. Social awareness and building independence are built into the daily routine — not treated as extras.

Classes are capped at 8 students, with a 1:8 teacher-to-student ratio. That small size means your child is known, supported, and never overlooked. You can choose a half-day or full-day format, with the flexibility of a 2-day, 3-day, or full-time weekly schedule — whatever fits your family.

Pre-School (For children 3 years old)

Pre-School at First Steps is a place where curiosity is welcomed and every child moves at their own pace. Through a blend of structured time and purposeful play, children build the social, emotional, and academic skills that set the stage for everything that follows.

Learning here looks like reading together on the carpet, exploring science through hands-on activities, and practicing the kind of everyday skills — listening, sharing, following a routine — that matter just as much as letters and numbers. Every activity is designed to be developmentally appropriate, and every child leaves the day feeling capable and confident.

Please note: Children entering our Pre-School program must be fully potty trained and have given up their naps.

For tuition information, visit our Admissions page.

Pre-Kinders (For children 4 years old)

Pre-Kinders is where the academic foundation really takes shape. Reading and Math are the cornerstones of this program, and by the end of the year, children are printing letters and numbers, reading sight words, and working through early emergent stories. The progress is real and visible.

Math instruction is built directly on the five concepts in the Alberta Education curriculum — number sense, geometry, measurement, probability, and data management — so children aren't just learning to count; they're building number confidence that carries through every grade ahead.

Science, art, music, and physical activity are woven throughout the year as well. The goal isn't to rush childhood — it's to give children the solid foundation they need so that when Kindergarten begins, they're genuinely ready to grow.

For tuition information, visit our Admissions page.

Starting With First Steps & Beyond

Small classes mean your child is never just a face in the room. 

With a maximum of 8 children per class and a 1:8 teacher-to-student ratio, every child receives the individual attention they need to grow at their own pace. Teachers know each child's strengths, challenges, and personality — and that makes all the difference in how well a child learns.

A schedule that works for your family. 

We offer half-day and full-day options with the flexibility of a 2-day, 3-day, or full-time weekly schedule. Whether you need part-time care or full-time programming, there's a format that fits your routine without compromising the quality of your child's experience.

Real academics from the very beginning. 

These aren't programs that simply keep children occupied. From early literacy and numeracy to science, art, and music, our curriculum is academically focused and developmentally appropriate — built to give children a head start that stays with them long after they leave our classrooms.

Alberta Education foundations, built in from day one. 

Our Pre-Kinders Math program is structured around the five concepts in the Alberta Education curriculum — number sense, geometry, measurement, probability, and data management — so children enter Kindergarten already familiar with what their teachers will be building on.

A warm environment where children feel safe to grow. 

Children learn best when they feel secure. Our classrooms are comfortable, nurturing spaces where children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and take on new challenges — with a teacher who knows them well always nearby.

Every child leaves ready. 

Our goal is straightforward: by the time your child completes our program, they walk into Kindergarten with confidence in the classroom, strong early academic skills, and the social foundation to make friends and follow routines. Ready isn't just a hope — it's what we build toward every single day.

 

See What Learning Looks Like at First Steps

Book a private tour and bring your child along. We'd love to show you what a typical day looks like — and your child is welcome to spend a day with us so you can both feel at home before you commit.

Book a Tour Admissions & Tuition