Preschool: Age 3 to 5
Register your child in a preschool program in Surrey.
The City of Surrey delivers affordable excellence in licensed preschools for children ages 3 to 5 years old. Our high quality, play-based preschool program runs from September to June and is designed to promote healthy growth and development throughout a child’s early years.
Supported by the British Columbia Early Learning Framework, your child will benefit from programs that encourage creativity, imagination, language, literacy, confidence and independence. View the Preschool Parent Handbook.
2024/25 preschool registration
Registration is open! View registration information in the 2024/25 Preschool Brochure.
Register by phone
Registration by phone is available. Call 604-501-5100, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and a customer service representative will be happy to help you.
Register in person
In person registration is available at any Surrey Parks, Recreation & Culture facility during hours of operation. Bring your recreation passcard when you visit.
Cancelling a registration
If you need to cancel your registration, log in to your account and follow our How to Cancel Your Activity video.
Alternatively, you can call 604-501-5100, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and a customer service representative can cancel your registration for you.
If you no longer want to use your Recreation Pass, learn how to receive a refund.
Waitlist
If you are on the waitlist for a registered activity, please wait until you receive a confirmation call that a spot has become available. Waiting at the facility may not guarantee space in the activity.
Registration Tips
- To add family members or your child onto your account, call 604-501-5100 on Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
- Ensure you are using Chrome as your browser or courses may not show up properly.
- It is faster to book online vs. phone as the phone que will contain callers registering for all courses (not just swimming lessons).
- For existing customers, it is faster to login to your MySurrey account first, then select your course(s). For new customers, create a MySurrey account prior to registration day.
- Have course page open.
- Select courses for all family members first, then pay for all courses at once.
- Keep Credit Card info on file so that you don’t have to take the time to enter it each time. Information is completely secure.
- You can select scheduled monthly payments as an option rather than paying for preschool in full.
- Join the waitlist. If we have a cancellation, then we will call those on the waitlist in the order that they joined.
Financial assistance is available
Our hourly rate for care is one of the lowest in the city.
Families may qualify for financial assistance through the Affordable Child Care Benefit for licensed programs. Monthly payment plans are also available.
Accessibility and inclusion
If your child has a disability and requires support to participate in preschool, please contact our Accessibility & Inclusion team at 604-502-6325 or inclusion@surrey.ca. Please note: We cannot guarantee support will be provided.
Active Play Policy
Our Active Play Policy ensures children have a minimum of 30 minutes of outdoor play per day, rain or shine.
Outdoor play times vary depending on the length of the preschool program. In extreme weather conditions (thunder and lightning, high winds), indoor active play may be an alternative.
Please ensure your child has appropriate clothes and protection for the weather (e.g., sunscreen, rain jacket, hat, boots, gloves, etc.). Part of the outdoor learning experience for children is assessing and properly dressing for the weather.
Before preschool begins
- Complete all forms and return them to us before the first day of class. For information on where to drop off the forms, call your local recreation facility.
- Ensure your child is toilet trained.
Each day of preschool
Send your child with a complete changes of clothes and a healthy snack in their backpack. Speak with your educator to learn more about healthy snack options.
If your child is sick
Please notify your child's educator if they are sick, will be late or absent, or are being picked up at early.
Please keep your child at home if they are unable to fully participate in the program due to illness. A Health and Illness Procedure is in place to maintain the health and safety of all children.
For children
Swimming & skating
Introduce your child to new skills in the water or on the ice! Learn more about our swimming lessons and skating lessons for preschoolers.
Stay & Play
We offer drop-in stay & play for kids ages 5 and under. Parents can bring their little ones to one of eight recreation facilities and kids can enjoy playing with others in a safe environment! Parent participation is required.
Drop by any of the following locations:
For parents
Childminding
We'll watch your kids ages 12 and under while you work out in the weight room or attend a fitness class!
Offered at:
- Clayton Community Centre
- Cloverdale Recreation Centre
- Guildford Recreation Centre
- South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre
Visit your desired facility webpage for childminding hours of operation.
Resources
Tactile Play Ideas
Learn about sensory-friendly activities that you can enjoy with your child at home! Tactile sensory play is all about touch and strengthens fine motor skills. Children will learn to explore and experiment with materials like beads, pebbles, gels, balloons and much more.
Listen to a Preschool Story-time!
Do your children love books and songs? Our early childhood educator is here to read and sing to them online! This video is ideal for keeping children engaged and improving their literacy. Books and songs include: Foods with Moods, Pat a Cake, Down by the Baker's Shop, and Goodnight Little Blue Truck.
Loose Parts: Activity Suggestions
Spark your child's sense of wonder through discovery and games with loose parts! Our early childhood educator will provide tips and objects for your child to play with. Please note: Some items in this video may be a choking hazard. To prevent injuries, adult supervision is required at all times.