Preschool in Chilliwack, BC (2.5-5 Years)
Our preschool in Chilliwack is the Preschool Program at Petits Pals Childcare, a licensed child care centre for children aged 2.5 to 5 years. This is where the Reggio Emilia approach is fully applied, using a child-centred, inquiry-based learning environment to prepare children for the transition into kindergarten.
Ratios and Staffing
The Preschool Program is staffed at one educator for every eight children.
Daily Schedule
A balanced routine combining learning, creativity, outdoor play, and social development.
Arrival and Free Play
Arrival and free play, with open-ended materials like blocks, drawing, and building
Morning Snack
Morning snack
Circle Time
Circle time, with interactive group discussions, songs, and stories
Project Work & Learning Activities
Project work or learning activities, including theme-based projects, art, and math games
Snack Time & Washroom
Snack time and washroom
Learning Activities
Learning activities, including fine motor skills, cognitive games, and early writing
Lunch and Washroom
Lunch and washroom
Outdoor Play
Outdoor play
Creative Arts
Creative arts
Free Play & Departures
Free play and departures
Key Developmental Focus Areas
Language and literacy development.
Expanded vocabulary, storytelling, early writing, and reading activities.
Cognitive and mathematical development.
Problem-solving activities, number recognition, shape identification, and early concepts of logic and cause-and-effect.
Social skills.
Cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution, with opportunities for group learning and collaborative projects.
Physical development.
Fine and gross motor skill activities, such as drawing, cutting, and outdoor games.
Creativity and expression.
Imagination through dramatic play, arts, crafts, and music.
Kindergarten Readiness
Children are viewed as active participants in their own learning, with teachers guiding activities based on individual interests rather than a fixed lesson plan. The classroom environment changes throughout the year as children grow, so a classroom may look very different at the end of a term than it did at the start.
Screen Time and Active Play
Screen time is limited to 30 minutes per day, focused on educational content only. Every day includes at least 120 minutes of active play, with 60 minutes outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between daycare and preschool in Chilliwack?
Daycare generally refers to full-day care across all age groups, while preschool refers to structured, curriculum-based programming for children aged 2.5 to 5. Our Preschool Program combines both: full-day care with a defined curriculum.
Is the Preschool Program full-day or part-day?
Full-day, following the schedule above.
Does the Preschool Program prepare children for kindergarten?
Yes. The curriculum is built around literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional readiness for the transition into kindergarten.
The Preschool Program is offered at Petits Pals Childcare on Victoria Avenue in downtown Chilliwack. For fee and subsidy information, see our fees and subsidies page. To arrange a tour or ask about availability, contact us.