Parents Handbook
Parents Handbook
First Step Kids Montessori Preschool
Thank you for choosing First Step Kids Montessori preschool. Please review the below Parents Handbook carefully upon registering your child for our preschool.
Our Philosophy
At First Step Kids Montessori Preschool, young kids are treated with care, and our staff interacts with them with a motherly affection that makes them feel loved and appreciate the institution as their second home.
Kids are taken through various types of games that enhance their mental growth and create room for intellectual knowledge. The games are held interchangeably as per the seasons; days of the week; and the current trends. We give kids a taste of the experience that makes them proud of their school and feel free to interact with one another with immediate intervention from the teachers and the non-teaching staff.
Our Vision
To be a leading learning institution for children and youth, known throughout the world.
Our Mission
To equip children and youth with adequate general knowledge that will enable them to fit into exceptional roles and careers in the future. To facilitate children and youth to independently make creative and excellent decisions that will give them an advantage among their generation.
What Your Child Needs to Bring
It is always important that your child arrives for the day prepared and with the required items listed below:
- A labeled water bottle
- A nut-free snack or lunch
- Indoor shoes
- At least 2 complete sets of clothes (underwear, socks, etc.)
Parent-Teacher Communication:
We believe in fostering strong communication with our families and encourage you to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our doors are always open, and we are here to support you and your child.
Important Notice Regarding Enrollment and Fees:
Enrollment & Fees
- Payment Methods: We kindly ask that fees be paid via e-transfer to [email protected].
Notice for Withdrawal or Absence
- One-Month Notice Requirement: If you plan to withdraw your child or take a leave of absence for one or two months, we kindly request that you provide at least one (1) month’s written notice. If this notice is not received, the following month’s fee will still be due.
- Fee Adjustment for Temporary Absence: If you plan to take a temporary absence of one or two months but intend to return, we kindly ask that you continue paying the monthly fee during the absence in order to secure your child’s spot.
School Year
We are open all of the duration of the school year, except for statutory holidays. We are also open during summer vacation, excluding statutory holidays.
Values
Caring: First Step Kids Montessori care about our children and parents. We work to provide a safe and comfortable environment.
Safety: With the current and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, First Step Kids Montessori has meticulous safety protocols in place to protect our families and our staff.
Federal-Provincial Child Care Agreement – Affordability Grant
The Government of Alberta is providing an affordability grant to licensed facilities to help reduce monthly program fees for registered families. The affordability grant fee will be reflected on your registration form fee according to the child’s program. If the government withdraws or amends this affordability grant at any time, parents will be responsible for paying any difference in fees each month.
Subsidies
Subsidies are available for all OSC programs. Families with a household income of $90,000 or less may apply for a subsidy and will be awarded the amount of subsidy based on their household income. It is the responsibility of the parent to apply for this government subsidy program. To apply for a subsidy, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.aspx
Withdrawal Policy
To cancel services for your child at First Step Kids, we kindly request that parents provide at least one month (30 days) notice prior to the desired cancellation date. Failure to provide the required notice will result in the parent being responsible for the payment of fees for the subsequent month. Cancellation requests should be submitted in writing or through our designated communication channels. The notice period ensures proper arrangements can be made and helps maintain the smooth operation of our services. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to this cancellation policy. If you have any questions or need assistance with the cancellation process, please don’t hesitate to contact our dedicated staff members. In the event that one month (30 days) of notice is not given, the owing fees for the subsequent month will be due and owing. Any failure to pay these owing amounts, will result in the case being forwarded to debt collections.
Please email your withdrawal request. Verbal requests will not be accepted. We reserve the right to withdraw a child from our program in the following cases:
- Fees are not paid
- Parent and child exhibit aggressive behavior toward staff, students, or fellow parents/families
- Repeated Late Purchases
Sign-Up Fee
Our $75.00 registration fee is non-refundable.
Holidays
First Step Kids will be closed for the following statutory holidays-
- Labour Day
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas
- Boxing Day
- New Year
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Victoria Day
Christmas break from December 24, 2025 to January 2, 2026 (dates subject to change)
Snacks
First Step Kids does not provide snacks for your child. Please send your child with their own snack and water bottle. Our program is a NUT FREE program. Please ensure that no snacks are sent that contain nuts.
Please write their name on your child’s lunch box and water bottle.
Sickness & Allergy Policy
First Step Kids Montessori Preschool will follow Alberta Health Guidelines for Sickness. Children at First Step Kids Montessori Preschool will not be able to attend school if they are sick. If a child is exhibiting any of the following symptoms: vomiting, fever, diarrhea, or a new unexplained rash or cough, or requires more care and attention than can be provided without compromising the care of others, they will not be permitted to attend. Children in the program who have or exhibit any other illness or symptom that a staff member knows (or believes) may indicate that the child poses a health risk to persons on the program premises will also be excluded from care.
Some examples of illnesses are as follows:
- High fever over 38°C
- Bad headaches
- Widespread rash
- Pink eye
- Diarrhea
Parents are required to notify First Step Kids Montessori Preschool if their child has a serious condition (for example measles, head lice, pink eye, mumps, chickenpox, etc.) so that First Step Kids Montessori Preschool can notify other families to monitor for any symptoms and take precautions.
If a child comes to the program sick or becomes ill while at the program, we will notify the parent, guardian or emergency contact immediately. We will keep the child away from other children and ask the parent to pick the child up from the program.
Children must be symptom-free and First Step Kids Montessori Preschool must be satisfied that the child does not pose a risk to the health and safety of other children in the program before they can return. Children must be symptom-free before returning to the program.
Emergency Evacuation Policy
In the event of any emergency, all children will be evacuated from the building by staff and will all be safely at our muster point location. Parents will be notified by call in emergency evacuation situations as our staff will carry an emergency contact binder with them at all times.
To familiarize your children with emergency evacuation procedures, First Step Kids Montessori Preschool will conduct monthly fire drills, lockdown drills, and disaster drills with all children in our program to keep everyone safe.
Drop Off and Pick Up Policy
First Step Kids Montessori Preschool works to prepare your children for school classes. Parents will be welcomed at drop-off and pick-up times so they can help their children with their items such as jackets, indoor shoes, backpacks, snack boxes, etc. First Step Kids Montessori Preschool encourages families to support their children in developing independence during drop-off and pick-up times.
Late Pick-Up Policy
Life happens. We understand that, so we are putting the following policy in place for late pick-ups. In the event of an emergency, the late pick-up fee will not be charged twice. After that, the family will be charged $10 per 10 minutes for late pick-ups. This late fee must be paid within 10 days of notice. Failure to pay this fee will result in the child being terminated from the program. First Step Kids Montessori Preschool reserves the right to terminate the child from the program if late pick-ups continue more than 3 times.
Medication Administration Policy
First Step Kids Montessori Preschool will only administer emergency medication to a child (for example – EpiPens). Families are required to complete an emergency medication form during registration for their child so that staff can administer medication to their child. First Step Kids Montessori Preschool will not administer any medication to a child while in their care other than emergency medication. Emergency medication must be in the original container with the original label and expiration date and include the name of the physician who prescribed it.
No Smoking Policy
First Step Kids Montessori Preschool does not allow anyone to smoke on their property at any time.