
Preschool: Age 3 to 5
Register your child in a preschool program in Surrey.
Registration for 2023/2024 is now open
The City of Surrey delivers affordable excellence in licensed preschools for children ages 3 to 5 years. 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. Learn more in the Early Years Preschool Parent Handbook!
We are committed to keeping children safe at our preschool programs. Review City of Surrey's Preschool Program Safety Guidelines and FAQs.
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
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. If you require additional assistance, families may qualify for the Leisure Access Program.
“I love my teachers because they care about me.” - Georgiana, age 4
Childminding
We'll watch your kids ages 12 and under while you work out in the weight room or attend a fitness class! Childminding services are currently only offered at Clayton Community Centre, Cloverdale Recreation Centre, Guildford Recreation Centre and South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre.
Activities for Children Ages 3 to 5
Swimming and Skating
Introduce your child to new skills in the water or on the ice! Swimming lessons or skating lessons at Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex are available to preschoolers for registration.
Stay & Play
We offer drop-in stay & play for kids ages 5 and under. Parents can bring their little ones to one of 8 recreation facilities and kids can enjoy playing with others in a safe environment! Parent participation is required. Drop by any of the following locations:
- Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre
- Cloverdale Recreation Centre
- Clayton Community Centre
- Fleetwood Community Centre
- Fraser Heights Recreation Centre
- Guildford Recreation Centre
- Newton Recreation Centre
- South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre
Preschool FAQs
What will physical distancing look in preschool?
Maintaining a distance of 2 metres between two or more children can be challenging and not always feasible in a preschool setting. However, the following physical distancing strategies will be implemented where possible.
- Masks are optional for educators that will be in the classroom.
- Educators will regularly remind children to “keep your hands to yourself”
- Educators will use outdoor space as much as possible
- Educators will continue to use “Open snack” instead of group snack. Open snack allows children to eat when they feel hungry. This will allow for a staggered snack transition time and minimize larger groups of children eating at the tables.
- All pick up and drop off will be taking place at the preschool room and exterior entrances will be used where possible. Otherwise, parents will enter facility through the usual doors.
Will the class sizes be smaller?
The physical space requirements for licensed child care settings set out in the Child Care Licensing Regulation mean that child care centres already have sufficient space to support the physical distancing recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer.
If my child shows symptoms while at preschool, what is procedure?
- Symptomatic children are immediately separated from others and taken to the isolation room until they can go home. A staff member will remain with the child at all times.
- The parent or emergency contact will be notified to pick up the child immediately.
- Educator will get our “isolation package/comfort kit” which includes gloves, mask. Hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be practiced while the child is waiting to be picked up.
- Our staff will at this point be wearing a gown, gloves and mask. The space the child was isolated in will be disinfected once the child has been picked up.
- The local public health unit (8-1-1) will be contacted and notified of a potential case and seek input regarding the information that will be shared with other parents of children in the childcare centre.
My child is new to preschool. Can I stay to help transition him/her into the program?
Of course! Sometimes a new environment can be scary. Each child has a different way of dealing with separation. To ensure a healthy attachment, your presence may be required. A parent is welcome to stay and make this transition positive for everyone. As per the current Provincial Health Order, masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces.
How will play be offered safely?
Exercise, play, and other activities will be done outdoors as much as possible. In the event of extreme weather, we have scheduled gym time in our gymnasium.
Group play activities will be organized in a thoughtful way, taking into consideration physical distancing. Hand hygiene will be encouraged before and after play.
What if I need to withdraw my child from the preschool program?
Please contact the Call Centre at 604-501-5100 on Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Our $50 program withdrawal fee applies within seven days of the start of the program or anytime during the preschool year.
Do I have to notify someone if my child will not be coming to preschool for the day?
If your child is unable to fully participate in the program due to illness, parents are asked to keep children at home. A Health and Illness Procedure is in place to maintain the health and safety of all children. Please also notify the child’s educator if your child has an illness, will be late or absent, or picked up early on a particular day.
My payment and/or contact information has changed. Who should I contact?
If your address, phone number or payment information has changed, please contact the Call Centre at 604-501-5100 on Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. We also ask that you inform your child’s educator of any changes to personal information.
What does my child need to bring to preschool?
Please ensure your child has a complete change of clothes and a healthy snack in their backpack. Parents should provide a nutritious snack for your child each day of class. More information on snacks will be provided by your child’s educator.
Will children be sharing toys and other items?
We have toys and items that encourage individual play. Toys and items will be cleaned to reduce hand-to-hand-contact and cross contamination.
We will provide adequate amounts of high touch materials, such as art supplies, to minimize sharing between children. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus transmits via books, paper or other paper-based products. As such, there is no need to limit sharing of books or paper based resources to children.
Supplies and materials (such as writing utensils) will be placed in a “To be cleaned” bin.
What about the use of sensory play such as sand and water?
Sand and water can be used for play provided that children wash their hands before and after play.
COVID-19 does not survive well on surfaces, other than hard surfaces. There is no evidence showing that the virus survives on sand, in water, or on playdough.
Does my child have to be toilet trained?
Yes, all children entering preschool should be toilet trained before the first day of class.
Will my child play outside?
All licensed childcare programs in the province must ensure children have daily access to outdoor play. In the City of Surrey our Active Play Policy mandates a minimum of 30 minutes of outdoor play per day, rain or shine. These 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.
With our Active Play Policy in mind, please ensure your child has appropriate clothes and protection for the weather (for example: sunscreen, rain jacket, hat, boots, gloves, etc.). When children are dressed properly the barrier of discomfort is removed, allowing everyone to freely enjoy the outdoor experience. Part of the outdoor learning experience of preschool is assessing and properly dressing for the weather.
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.