Frequently Asked Questions

To ensure a fair registration process, we maintain and strictly adhere to an ordered waiting list. When the registrar contacts you by phone or email to verify your availability to fill a vacancy in the class, you will have a 48-hour period to provide a response to the registrar. If the registrar has not heard a response from you in the 48 hours, the registrar will contact the next family on the waiting list. The waitlist response period will drop to 24 hour effective the date that public and separate elementary school commences (typically just after the September long weekend). Once playshool classes begin, internal class moves may be given priority over the wait list.

Please ensure you give the correct contact information you would like used throughout the summer and school year. It is your responsibility to check for messages in case a spot becomes available. The registrar is not responsible for holding a spot if your voicemail is full or emails bounce back and a message cannot be left.

Our playschool requires every child's family to obtain a valid community league membership for every playschool year. Families will be asked to provide their membership number no later than September 15th of each playschool year. If members do not obtain a community league membership by this date, they will be asked to withdraw from the program.

Yes, as long as your family is part of a community league within Edmonton. Admission into Riverbend Playschool is accepted based on the following priorities:
1. Current playschool members (i.e., families with a child/children currently enrolled at the playschool)
2. Alumni members (i.e., families that have had children attend the playschool previously)
3. Members of the Riverbend Community Leagues (Rhatigan Ridge, Ramsey Heights, Brookside and Brander Gardens)
4. Members of any community league

Yes! We host an annual open house prior to playschool registration. This is a great opportunity to see the classroom and meet the teachers.

Children must be toilet trained at the time playschool begins in September. Our operating licence prohibits us from accepting children in diapers. However, special circumstances may be considered on an individual basis, such as a child with special needs who is not toilet trained. These special circumstances require approval by the teachers and playschool executive.

3-year-old program: Children must be 3 on or before December 31st of their attending school year.

3 & 4-year-old program: Children must be 3 on or before December 31st of their attending school year.

4-year-old program: Children must be 4 on or before December 31st of the attending school year.

Fees for the 2023/2024 school year are:

2x a week program: $118
3x a week program: $149

A government subsidy reduces these fees by $75 per month, making them:

2x a week program: $43
3x a week program: $74

Your family may qualify for an ADDITIONAL fee subsidy (household income between $90,000-$179,999)

Families must apply on their own for the subsidy to be sent directly to the Playschool and applied to their fees: https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.aspx

Initial Payment

$50 non-refundable application processing fee (paid by electronic money transfer at the time of registration).

September tuition + Health & Safety Fee* is due via e-transfer after receiving confirmation of a spot in the program by the registrar.

 (*This $20 fee is to help off-set the costs of extra cleaning supplies, required items, masks, and hand sanitizer)

Cheque #1
Option A: $500 Duty Bond Cheque
- Leave date blank - This cheque will only be cashed if you fail to perform your parental duties: sharing day/duty parent job, and/or casino shift.

OR

Option B: $500 Parent Cooperative Exemption Fee

- Date cheque for September 1st of current year
- This is non-refundable once received but does exempt the family from in-class parent duties for the current school year per child enrolled in the playschool.

 It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure that the fees are paid. A charge of $20.00 will be levied for any cheques not honored by the bank.

The remainder of tuition fees will be paid via e-transfer, according to a payment calendar distributed for that year.

The cost of all crafts, activities and field trips are covered for each child attending our program. Each class has a party to mark special occasions (Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc.). All families are asked to contribute a low-cost item for two parties during the playschool year.

In the past, Riverbend Playschool operated with 'duty days', where parents were scheduled to help out during a class day. To increase accessibility to our program, this is no longer a requirement to register your child. Opportunities for parents/guardians to help out within the classroom do still arise, but are not mandatory. Check in with your child's teachers if you are interested in volunteering within the classroom.

Please note: Parents are still required to fulfill the volunteer commitment outlined within their Parent Job.

Our playschool is funded by tuition and casino proceeds. All families must provide one volunteer to work a casino in our casino years, which occur every two years. There is no other fundraising.

If your playschool job requires you to purchase supplies (i.e., shopping parent), you will be asked to submit your receipts for reimbursement.
The costs for snacks or small items for class parties are not reimbursed.

Each family must select one playschool job. If you have taken an executive position, you are not required to take an additional position.
In addition to your selected job, you (or a family member) will participate in sharing days, and provide a volunteer to work a casino in our casino years

After years of experience teaching preschool children, our teachers have noticed a pattern: with spring comes longer days, outdoor sports, and generally busier kids. The little 3 and 4 year olds start to burn out with this heightened level of activity (think: not enjoying their schools days so much!) The teachers have therefore decided to end the school year in May, which ensures that the students finish the year on a more positive note. Also, we are lucky to rent our classroom space from the Riverbend Community League, who start their own programming in the space in June.

Parents are responsible for arranging their children’s transportation to and from the playschool.

It's absolutely normal for children to be sad to say goodbye to their parents. Most children are ready to play and have fun after a few minutes in the classroom (and perhaps a few hugs from the teachers).
If you have questions about separation anxiety, please speak with the teachers. They will be happy to provide suggestions, and give you updates on your child's progress.

Please pack a bag with indoor shoes and a full change of clothes each day. Also, remember to dress your child for the weather. We try to go outside every day, so snow suits, mittens and warms hats are needed in the winter, and rubber boots and raincoats are needed on rainy days.

Children must bring their own snacks each school day (unless otherwise noted). The snack should be small and nutritious. The teachers will provide suggestions on desirable snacks and prohibited foods (such as nuts).