Questions & Answers About Private Schools & ECS Operators

Some of the most common questions asked are the following:

1.	What do I need to consider should I choose to send my child to a private school? Response: Consider the following: Type of private school desired: faith-based environment, academic focus, non-denominational, special needs education or a particular philosophical approach to learning, i.e. Waldorf, Montessori, Froebel education. Whether the private school is accredited by Alberta Learning Whether the school will fit the specific needs of your child. Determine what you feel are the most important characteristics desired in a school environment. Consider location, size, pupil/teacher ratio, academic rigour, breadth of courses offered, and specialized programs such as music art, theatre or athletics. Consider your child's abilities and learning style. Check to see if the school is a good match. Visiting prospective schools' websites or review directories of private schools to determine which ones satisfy your list of minimum requirements. Whether the school has a transportation system or whether you will be responsible for transporting your child to & from school. The amount of the tuition charged at the school and payment/refund policy Visiting the prospective school to determine whether its philosophy and policies, such as school discipline, suspension and expulsion, meet with your expectations. Carefully read the school policies and procedures to ensure you understand school expectations for parents and students. Whether there is a school contract that needs to be completed; determine what it is that the school will provide for your child and what the school expects of you. Whether the values espoused by the school mesh with your family's values & lifestyle. Review the school's mission statement to see if it is consistent with your own values. Question the principal and faculty to determine how well the school is living up to its values. Is the school what it purports to be? How does the school integrate its values into the curriculum?
2.	Where can I find a list of private schools or private ECS operators? Response: The Alberta Learning Zone Services Branch in your area can provide you with the list of private schools or, if you have access to the internet, you may obtain a list from the Alberta Learning website at www.education.gov.ab.ca/ei/maps. Scroll down the page to PDF files for "private schools" or "private ECS schools" within the province. You may also want to check the Yellow Pages Directory. Generally there is a listing of private schools or private ECS operators (Kindergartens) within your area. Zone Services Branches Zone 1:  (780) 427-5394 Zone 2/3:  (780) 427-9296 Zone 4:  (780) 427-5381 Zone 5:  (780) 415-9312 Zone 6:  (780) 427-5377 (Numbers may be reached toll free through the Rite Line: 310-0000)
3.	What is the enrolment age for a child to enter an Early Childhood Services (ECS) Program? Response: You need to check with the specific ECS operator to determine its enrolment-age policy. Alberta Learning provides funding to ECS operators, (public, private school or private ECS operator) based on the following age requirements: 2 years and 6 months by September 1 (3years of age by February 28) in the case of a child who has a severe disability or is hearing impaired. 3 years and 6 months by September 1 (4 years of age by February 28) in the case of a child who has mild or moderate disability or who is gifted & talented. 4 years and 6 months by September 1 (5 years of age by February 28) in the case of a regular program child (kindergarten). ECS operators' enrolment policies generally fall within the provincial funding policy, i.e. Kindergarten child must be 5 by either September 1, December 31 or by February 28).
4.	Can my child enroll in a second year of kindergarten? Response: A child may be enrolled for a second year only if s/he is determined to be "developmentally immature". A developmentally immature child is of compulsory age for grade one who, in the opinion of his/her parent, ECS operator and board, would benefit from an additional year of ECS programming. The parent, ECS operator and board must jointly agree that the child would benefit by continuation in an ECS program. A child with special education learning needs is not considered eligible for a second year of Kindergarten.
5.	What is the cost of enrolling my child in a kindergarten program? Response: A parent should expect to receive a basic 475-hour instructional program for their child at no tuition cost whether it is provided by a public operator, private school or private ECS operator. The operator may levy non-instructional costs such as supplies, field trips, and snacks. Should the operator provide a kindergarten program of more than 475 hours, the operator may charge tuition for those hours beyond the basic program. A parent may choose to enroll their child for only 475 hours at no instructional cost.
6.	What information do I need to take with me when I enroll my child in a Kindergarten or grade one program? Response: A parent or guardian needs to present some legal proof of the child's name, citizenship and birth date the first time that the child registers in a school or kindergarten. The following is a list of vital statistics documents that are deemed acceptable for this purpose: Canadian Birth Certificate Canadian Citizenship Certificate Canadian Adoption Certificate Canadian Marriage Certificate Passport Visa Permanent Landed Immigrant/Residence Document