Welcome to Creative Edge Preschool

Our mission statement is: “building self-esteem through the arts” where we foster a family setting and promote a feeling of confidence and safety for both parent and child.

hmstr5 Our preschool has been running fun programs for preschoolers, here in Abbotsford since 1991. On this page you will find some great information about the preschool.

The age range for preschool generally starts at age 3. If you have a child below this age you may want to check out Jr. Preschool which is a mom and tot, parent/tot program. For more info please feel free to call the school at 604-855-3343.

OUR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS

Creative Edge staff members are carefully chosen to reflect our commitment to providing a safe, positive and caring environment for the children we teach. All have undergone criminal records checks and all preschool instructors keep up-to-date first aid training. Each class has an ECE qualified head instructor as well as a qualified assistant instructor.

VIEWING AREA

Creative Edge also places a great deal of importance on providing for each parent, the confidence that their child is in a safe and caring environment. This is why we have had a one way mirror installed in the door leading into the main classroom. Feel free to observe the class at any time from this particular window.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM AND OBJECTIVES

a_preschoolers-play-together02 The preschool program provides many areas for preschoolers to experience and learn from. Our “fine arts curriculum” includes quite a comprehensive variety of well planned activities including: arts & crafts, singing, dance and movement and rhythm band. There are also educational activities which include: counting, printing, colors, shapes, sign language, and counting in French. Free play in the main classroom and big toy room encourages social interaction through games, puzzles, building toys, dress up and other creative play. Teaching the kids to follow directions, instructions and the process of getting used to class routines also form part of the objectives. Class activities will be centered around monthly themes. Creative Edge preschool students will also be invited to be part of a large stage production twice each year at the Abbey Arts Centre in Abbotsford.

TYPICAL PRESCHOOL CLASS ROUTINE

Each class begins in our large room. Students hang up coats in the hallway and bring their shoes in and place them against the wall.

20 – 35 MINUTES OF FREE PLAY - includes dress-up, puzzles, building toys, books, kitchen center, large car mat, puppets etc. Children learn to play with each other sharing toys and often working together to build things. Teachers encourage interaction and getting along with one another. There will be a station which will change monthly with themes such as “Beauty Parlor”, “Grocery Store”, “Bakery”, “Flower Shop” etc. We will also have teacher assisted tables where students will perform a task such as hammering nails, sorting beads with tweezers into colors, following patterns, sorting objects according to an attribute such as size, color shape etc. and many other activities. Play dough and water tables will also be out as will a science table with insects etc.
10 – 15 MINUTES OF A GROUP GAME - i.e. memory game, bean bag games (for balancing and coordination), drama games, finding colors and shape games, partner games, circle games.
CIRCLE TIME - our circle time is centered around monthly themes ( i.e. hibernation, dinosaurs, insects, circus, health and safety, community workers, plants, nursery rhymes, etc. ) We discuss what day of the week it is, our number and letter of the week, shape of the week, and counting from one to ten in English and in French. We also use flashcards to reinforce learning of colors, shapes, numbers etc. In addition, we learn our letters in sign language which helps the children to better understand the alphabet. We sing songs ( often related to our monthly theme ) and we read stories and perform finger plays.
CRAFT TIME (in our craft room) - all students sit on the floor while the teachers explain the days craft tables and where to find the paper needed for each table. One teacher sits at the main craft table and helps the children with their craft. In addition to the main craft table we have other tables including painting, junk art and cutting and we also have language arts and math activities where the children can learn shapes, numbers and letters both by tracing and copying. Children also learn to use safety scissors. At the end of craft time each child has their own basket to keep their crafts in. They learn their basket by the picture on it and some children can also recognize the basket number as well. Around Easter, we will be hatching chicks. This is a very exciting time for the children.
SNACK TIME (in our main classroom) – simple healthy snacks are provided for the children. Please be sure and advise the teachers of severe allergies and fill out any allergies on your child’s “Health Form”. On party days, you can send a snack to share and it can be whatever your child would like to share (providing there are no allergies in which case the teachers will inform you as to what not to send)
BIG PLAYROOM – lots of great indoor equipment to promote physical and social activity.
MUSIC - Music time uses glockenspiels and rhythm instruments to learn to follow rhythms. Children also enjoy playing their instruments and singing along.
DANCING GAMES – during each class we teach dance routines where the children learn how to follow instructions while being taught different actions. Some of our favorites are: Bird Dance, Hokey Pokey, Mulberry Bush, Stretch it out, Lion Hunt, Freeze dance, Peppermint Twist, Limbo, Marching song, Color song etc.

FIELD TRIPS

We will go one 2 – 3 field trips each year. Parents are required to join us on these events or have an alternate person participate with your child. More information will be provided as we approach the field trip dates. We may ask for a consent form to be signed by the parent

DECEMBER AND YEAR END PERFORMANCES

PreschoolerRecital Our preschool students are invited to join with the dance and drama classes at Creative Edge for our really entertaining productions each December and June at the Abbey Arts Centre in Abbotsford. In this exciting show, they perform a memorable dance routine and also a song for the parents. It is a very entertaining show that you won’t want to miss.

Some of our preschoolers enjoy more show participation by adding “Furry Tale Theatre” or “Predance” to their schedules at the Edge. You can follow the links to check these fun classes out.

VISITING THE PRESCHOOL IN ABBOTSFORD

We’d love you to come and see the preschool in operation for yourself. Drop in anytime Mon.- Fri. between 9:30 and 2:30 for a personal tour. We are located in the Clayburn Plaza in Abbotsford, BC, where there is plenty of parking and great family shops to visit while you are there.

Creative Edge Preschool

500-3033 Immel Street

Abbotsford, BC

Phone 604-855-3343