What is the overall time investment per month as a family at Lakehill preschool?

Classroom helpers support through at least one classroom helper shift per month (days flexible), appx. 2.25 - 2.5 hrs monthly. Additionally, one delegate per family will attend a monthly parent education seminar, and preschool meeting (appx. 1.5 hrs) on the second Tuesday of every month.

What do my fees go towards?

As a registered non-profit, registration and monthly fees are valuable to ongoing operations. Allocation of fees contributes to facility rental, purchasing supplies, equipment maintenance, teachers’ wages, guest speakers, insurance, bookkeeping, etc. Visibility is given each year into the budget, voted on by parents at the annual general meeting.

What is a Co-operative Preschool? How does this differ from other preschools?

Our unique model as a registered non-profit and co-operative preschool involves (optional) parent participation in the classroom, and in the administration and operations of the preschool through volunteer roles assigned to each family. This helps build a unique sense of community, creating connections and memories for life.

What sets Lakehill Preschool apart?

Our Top 5 Points of Difference:

1. Co-operative Preschool Model: Including opportunities for parent participation, community building and student involvement.

2. Accessible and Affordable Rates: Regardless of how often your child attends, or how involved your household is, we have accessible and affordable childcare and preschool offerings for 3-4-year-olds across Saanich BC.

3. Outdoor Play Space: Uniquely large outdoor space, with proximity to nature that rivals an outdoor or nature-based classroom. Outdoor playtime is built into every session, and during warmer months we transition more of our learning outdoors to our ‘learning gazebo’ and outdoor play space. This can include riding bikes, sandbox time, water station, chalk, bubbles, ball sports, hula hoops, pretend play, practical living, scavenger hunts, nature crafts, gardening, and/or sensory play.

4. Dynamic ‘Learning-Through-Play’ Environment: changing through the seasons and based on class interests, including theme-based toys, multi-sensory stations, daily arts and crafts, circle time, snack, and free-play.

5. Sense of Community: Read our testimonials and you will soon see that becoming a Lakehill Preschool family is an enriching experience and can create lifelong memories and connections! You get out of it, what you put into it.

What neighborhoods do students at Lakehill preschool attend from?

We welcome families from across Victoria and Saanich, who live, work, or have extended family near our Saanich based preschool. Neighborhoods including (but not exclusive to) Cedar Hill, Lakehill, Gordon Head, Cordova Bay, Broadmead, Royal Oak, Hillside/Quadra, Oaklands, and Fernwood.

Why does Lakehill offer 2.25-2.5 hr duration classes?

We are licensed as a Preschool (not a daycare), so we have certain parameters for the duration of sessions. We believe our sessions offer flexibility in a caregiver’s day, and an appropriate amount of variety and age-appropriate learning.

Our classes are a great way to prepare your child for Kindergarten in Victoria, or Saanich BC.