Registration begins in January 2023

Here's what you need to know ....

Our family centre, the BriarPatch, began in October of 1996 with a Toy Lending Library, family playgroups, birthing classes, support groups, workshops and our baby loss program H.E.A.R.T.S. Due to public demand, we created the community preschool in 2008. We were the first preschool in the Park to offer mixed aged classes, as well as the Reggio Emilia teaching method and open-ended art as well. Early Literacy is a strong feature as well as encouraging children and their families to give back to the community at large. We are, like all licensed Alberta preschools, a Learning Through Play site, with our own blend of exploration, active movement, community connections and family focus.

Our newly renovated space is bright with windows to the outside, a place we like to venture when the weather is cooperative.

We've launched a new website (briarpatchfamilycentre.com). There are some pictures from the program on our website as well as a bit of info on the preschool. You can also visit our public Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/BriarPatchpreschool.

We have 2 teachers - Miss Meghan has been with us since 2011. She has her B.Ed degree (not a licensing requirement but one we felt strongly about) and specialized in kindergarten when she was in her practicum. Miss Chynna has been with us since 2012 and is an Early Childhood Educator, and Meg's teaching assistant. They are an incredible team and work so well together. Our families and preschoolers love them both! Meghan has won 2 awards during her time with us: an Alberta Provincial Award for her excellence in teaching in 2015, and then in the Fall of 2020, she was one of 5 recipients of the Prime Minister's National Award of Excellence in Teaching. We're very proud of her achievements in the field.

We are licensed for 24 children per class. We usually accept between 18 and 22 children per class but can go up to 24 if there is demand. We typically have 1 to 2 additional contracted individuals in the classroom for children with identified needs and this benefits all the children in our inclusive environment. Provincial ratios are 1:12 but we usually sit at 1:6 or 8.

Our hours and times and fees are listed on our website. Our classes run from the beginning of September until June. We only close for Stat Holidays and November Break, Christmas Break and Spring Break. I believe we are the only school that does NOT close on PD days. We believe parents should get value for their fees and that means not closing school, except for the days we have indicated on the yearly calendar.

Here is the most up to date information on the Subsidy Program: https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.aspx. We have already adjusted our fees on our website to reflect the new rates.

We'd love to help you make the BriarPatch Community Preschool your first choice for your child's early learning experience.

The BriarPatch Community Preschool will open up new Registrations for the Fall of 2023 for Current and Alumni Families on January 4th, 2023. Our current families and alumni are registered first, then on Saturday, January 14th, 2023, we will begin to accept new students from our "Interested Families list." If you wish to be on the "Interested Families List for the Fall of 2023", please send a note via this website or an email: briarpatchkids@hotmail.com.

Once those spots are filled, we will open up any remaining spaces to the general public.

We look forward to welcoming back our current families, alumni and siblings for the Fall of 2023. And we look forward to meeting all the new families who will join us this coming year.

Classes for the Fall of 2023 will be offered on the following dates and times:

Monday/Wednesday mornings from 8:45 am to 11:15 am

Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings from 8:45 am to 11:15 am

Monday/Wednesday afternoons from 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Monday/Wednesday/Friday afternoons from 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Tuesday/Thursday mornings from 8:45 am to 11:15 am

Tuesday/Thursday/Friday mornings from 8:45 am to 11:15 am

Tuesday/Thursday afternoons from 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Tuesday/Thursday/Friday afternoons from 12:15 pm to 2:45 pm

Fees for the Fall of 2023 until June of 2024:

$50 Registration Fee ~ due at the time of Registration

$100 Field Trips/Special Events/Memory Book Fee ~ due at the Parent Orientation in August

$115 per month for 2 classes per week

$130 per month for 3 classes per week

BriarPatch Family Life Education Centre

Family and Individual Counselling: #207 48 Brentwood Boulevard, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 2H5 Community Preschool: #100a 50 Brentwood Boulevard, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 2H5

780.464.3217

The BriarPatch Family Centre recognizes that our practice is situated on Treaty 6 territory, which has long served as a traditional meeting ground, sanctuary, and corridor for the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux communities. As a center focused on mental well-being, healing, and family support, we pay our respects to the countless First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals whose enduring presence and spiritual connection to this land have left an indelible imprint over centuries. We make this acknowledgment not only as a statement of respect, but also as a reaffirmation of our commitment to fostering a sense of community, inclusivity, and reconciliation within the framework of our services

The BriarPatch Family Life Education Centre is funded by Community, Individual and Family Donations, grants from Strathcona County Family and Community Services, the County Clothes~Line Foundation and Alberta Children's Service (Government of Alberta). As a Registered Canadian Charity, the BriarPatch Family Life Education Centre welcomes both monetary and in~kind donations, and provides an Official Tax Receipt and Gratitude Letter for each and every donation. Every amount is precious to us and helps our Centre provide support to those who seek growth in their journey.