‘Growing, Learning and Playing Together’
Kindergarten registrations are now being accepted at all elementary schools. French Immersion Kindergarten is offered at École St Paul.
Alberta Education develops the curriculum for Kindergarten in consultation with early childhood educators. It describes what young children need to learn to prepare for Grade 1 and provides a foundation for future learning.
- Children born in 2021 are eligible for 2025/26 EEP
- Children born in 2020 are eligible for 2025/26 Kindergarten
Would you like a tour of one of our Programs? Please check out our Early Learning Tours!
All programs include…
- Learning through play
- Integration of the fine arts
- Rich oral language opportunities
- Family-oriented programming opportunities
- A multi-disciplinary team that includes early learning consultants, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a psychologist
- Faith-based learning environment
If you would like to register your child for a program you will be asked to provide proof of your child’s name, date of birth and citizenship. Only the following documents verifying birth:
- Birth certificate of the child
- Canadian Citizen Certificate
- Passport
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Early Learning Program?
Our Early Learning Program (EEP), pre-kindergarten, is a language rich program that focuses on learning through play where children interact, explore, and make sense of the world around them. The program is delivered in a small classroom setting, allowing the learning team to address the unique learning needs of the children.
How do I register?
You can register for the Early Entry Program or Kindergarten by filling out a registration form.
When registering, you will be asked to provide a government-issued proof of your child’s name, date of birth and citizenship such as Birth Certificate, Canadian Citizenship or Immigration Certificate or Passport.
How old does my child need to be?
- Children born in 2021 are eligible for EEP in the 2025/26 school year
- Children born in 2020 are eligible for Kindergarten in the 2025/26 school year
- Children born in 2022 are eligible for EEP in the 2026/27 school year
- Children born in 2021 are eligible for Kindergarten in the 2026/27 school year
What does EEP cost?
Program fees for families are $800 a year.
Full payment, or confirmation of payment plan, must be complete prior to first day of school. Payments will be completed via our payment system www.studentquickpay.com/FMCS (Rycor).
Parents/Guardians will receive a link to register in the payment portal in mid-May.
If Parents/Guardians have any issues with the payment portal we encourage them to reach out to FMCSDRycor@fmcsd.ab.ca.
Why is there a cost for EEP?
EEP is an optional program that is not funded by the Province of Alberta. Fort McMurray Catholic Schools funds approximately 85% of the cost of the program while parental program fees cover the remaining 15%.
How often do students attend?
The Early Entry program runs from September to June based on the Fort McMurray Catholic School Division calendar. All of our elementary schools offer 3-hour, half-day programs, both morning and afternoon.
How do the Early Entry Program and Kindergarten differ?
EEP is an optional program that is not funded by the Province of Alberta. Kindergarten has a full Alberta Education curriculum. Both include exceptional learnings in literacy, numeracy, science, and physical education and wellness as well as a faith based aspect.
When does the school year start?
Our Early Entry and Kindergarten programs begin with a staggered entry to the school year. This typically happens in the week following the traditional start for grades 1-12. This allows our youngest students to feel more comfortable in their new setting and allows our teachers, educational assistants, and specialists to get to know our students on a one to one basis immediately.
How can I pick morning or afternoon programming?
At the time you register you are able to pick a preference of AM or PM programming. Our schools will do our best to accommodate your request.
Is there transportation available?
Yellow bus transportation is not provided for children in the Early Entry Program (EEP). Transportation services for Kindergarten children are only offered either in the morning (to school for the AM programs) or at the end of the day (afternoon to go home from the PM programs). Service is not available at noon. Parents must make their own arrangements for noon transportation.
Do you have to be Catholic to register?
Fort McMurray Catholic Schools welcome members of other faith communities in our schools and respect their beliefs. Parents of students that are not Catholic will be required to meet the Principal of their school at the start of the school year to discuss these expectations.
Is there French Immersion Early Learning Programming?
Yes. French Immersion programming is hosted at École St Paul School in Thickwood. Premiers Pas (EEP) and Maternelle (Kindergarten) are exciting first steps in French and Catholic Education. Les écoles catholiques de Fort McMurray invitent les enfants et leurs familles à venir apprendre, jouer et croître dans la foi de nos programmes.
Is there additional childcare available (Out of School Care/Bethel Happy Day Care)?
Out of School Care (OSC) is not available for our EEP friends. But there are some scenarios in which a Kindergarten student could utilize this service. Please reach out to Program Manager Lacey Bluda for more specific information at osc@fmcsd.ab.ca.
Bethel Happy Day Care has space in several of our Elementary Schools. To learn more about their availability and programs/services offered please reach out to them at info@bethelhappydaycare.com or 780-750-7700.