Frequently Asked Questions
What is this $10-A-Day program that Brentwood Nursery School Society is a part of?
Our rates are low, calculated to be $7 a day because we are part of the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, which funds the bulk of the program. We joined the program in February 2022, with no impact to the classroom program and significant reduction in tuition and fundraising. We also encourage our parents to check if they are eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.
How much is the tuition fee and how many days a week is the 3-year-old and 4-year-old programs?
Class schedule – days and times, along with our rates are listed in the Class Info Tab.
How does your registration process work?
Please refer to the Registration tab for details
What if my child does not get into the 3-year-old class?
There is no need to fill out another waitlist form. We will keep your information and if a spot becomes available, we will refer back to the waitlist to offer the spot to the next child on the list. People on the current 3YO waitlist will automatically be transferred onto the 4YO waitlist program if you do not get spot in our 3YO program.
What if classes are full? Is there still a chance to be in the class?
We will keep you on our waitlist and spots will then only be offered if a student withdraws.
“I am waitlisted at 80+, I feel discouraged!”
A lot of things change throughout the year (especially during COVID) - some people find other schedules more suitable, some people move, some people are offered an AM or PM spot which works better for their schedule, etc. There is movement and it doesn’t cost anything to keep your status on our waitlist.
What if I decide not to accept the 3YO spot or we register and then decide to withdraw my child due to COVID reasons (i.e. concerns regarding increasing number of cases, not worth the risk, etc.)?
We will keep your child’s initial status on our waitlist if you are planning to return him/her in the 4YO class the following year.
What is the difference between a Priority Family and a New Family?
Families who have previous or current family member in the Preschool (sibling or parent was a student or teacher) and get priority to register before new families.
How much time and involvement are the parent volunteer jobs?
The preschool is made up of teachers and parent volunteers to make it as successful as it has been. Different jobs require different amounts of time and involvement. Please refer to the Parent Manual and Parent Jobs Outline found on our Home page for further details.
How do you assign the parent volunteer jobs?
We go through every parent’s job preference sheet that you fill out in the registration package. Then start assigning jobs based on the needs of the preschool. We have left space for parents to indicate any areas of strength or restrictions. Make use of this space to communicate with us about what works for you. We do our best to match everyone with something that they can do.
Joining the executive committee right off the bat sounds daunting…. Maybe someone else should do it.
Since our program is only for 2 years, it is hard to find “experienced” parents to join the executive. We like a mix of new and returning parents on the Executive, to keep the living memory of the executive alive. We are all parents and all learning and would love for you to join. We all work collaboratively, and everyone always has questions. We have resources to help all the executive positions, and some of them are doubled so you get a partner. In non-COVID times, there are also snacks at our meetings! There are a lot of pro’s to joining the executive, as you get insight about how the school operates, meet great parents outside your class, and are involved in your child’s first school experience.
Can I do playdough? It sounds like fun.
Playdough is the #1 requested job of the preschool. In actual fact, you need the biceps of a blacksmith and the patience of a saint to make the amount of playdough required for the preschool. Then you repeat this effort on whatever schedule is requested, which is very regularly.
What happens at the general meetings?
General meetings are fun times where the parents get to meet. We discuss preschool business, upcoming events. You get to socialize with other people who understand the life of parents. The teachers will give a presentation on what happens in the class, and sometimes (in non COVID times) there are projects that the parents do and leave in the classroom for the children. Some will laugh, some will cry, and someone will win the 50/50 draw, nobody has ever fallen asleep. In non-COVID times, there are even snacks you don’t have to share with your kids!
What is a society?
When you register your child, you become a member of Brentwood Nursery School Society. The Society is what runs the preschool. We are a registered charity. As a member, you get to be on the Executive Committee that oversees the running of the school (JOIN US!), or you can vote your favourite friend onto the Executive Committee.
What qualifications do your teachers have and what do they teach?
Brentwood Nursery School Society employs experienced qualified teachers who not only meet the standards of the Community Care Facilities Licensing Board but are also innovative in the field of Early Childhood Education. They are dedicated to our community and invest an incredible amount of heart and time in their work. Our teachers foster the wonder of a child through an emergent inquiry-based curriculum at the preschool. To learn more about the teachers and their teaching philosophy, please refer to our About tab. You can also read about one of the projects explored in the classroom at the bottom our Classroom Information tab.
How many children are there in a class and how many teachers?
In the 3YO program, we have 16 children and 2 teachers.
In the 4YO program, we have 20 children and 2 teachers.
During non-COVID times, we have one Duty Parent in each class. Our duty parent is like a 3rd teacher and having them in the classroom is something we value greatly about our program. Having parents in the classrooms provides a space for parents to discover what their child is doing at school, to participate in the explorations, to reflect with the teachers, bringing our learning community closer.
What does a day at preschool look like?
The children arrive to school and we gather in a circle for meeting time. This is a great moment for us to greet everyone, make connections, discuss current explorations and projects in the classroom. The children then take part in various activities throughout the classroom, such as painting, water and sand play, building, performing on our stage, science investigations, material explorations, outdoor play, and so on. The children are free to move around the room and during this time, they will also have an opportunity to join an open-snack time if they choose to. Near the end of class, we work together to clean up the classroom and end with a circle time. This is a time where children will read books, take part in movement and music, group games and have discussions about the experiences they explored during class. It is also a wonderful way to end our time together and say goodbye before dismissal.
My child cries when I leave him/her and I’m worried about separation anxiety.
We begin each school year with a gradual entry as preschool imposes a strain for many children in which a few may object to leaving their parent (particularly the three-year olds) or are uneasy about the new environment. You can be reassured that this is quite normal for young children and that the teachers are very good about helping your child adjust. Since each child responds to separation and the new environment differently, each will be handled to suit his/her needs.
My child isn’t potty trained yet. Can I still register?
Yes, we acknowledge that every child develops differently and may not be fully potty trained by the time he/she begins preschool. Our facility has the equipment needed for your child to practice their independence and gain more confidence in using the bathroom on his/her own at preschool.
My child requires extra support. Will your program accept children with needs?
Yes, our teaching team consists of experienced, trained and ethically responsible educators who recognize every child’s right to quality care. We are committed to providing the best care and education possible for every child and their unique needs. We have a support policy at Brentwood. Please contact our registrar team for further details.
Have more questions? Please email our registrars below:
Our rates are low, calculated to be $7 a day because we are part of the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program, which funds the bulk of the program. We joined the program in February 2022, with no impact to the classroom program and significant reduction in tuition and fundraising. We also encourage our parents to check if they are eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit.
How much is the tuition fee and how many days a week is the 3-year-old and 4-year-old programs?
Class schedule – days and times, along with our rates are listed in the Class Info Tab.
How does your registration process work?
Please refer to the Registration tab for details
What if my child does not get into the 3-year-old class?
There is no need to fill out another waitlist form. We will keep your information and if a spot becomes available, we will refer back to the waitlist to offer the spot to the next child on the list. People on the current 3YO waitlist will automatically be transferred onto the 4YO waitlist program if you do not get spot in our 3YO program.
What if classes are full? Is there still a chance to be in the class?
We will keep you on our waitlist and spots will then only be offered if a student withdraws.
“I am waitlisted at 80+, I feel discouraged!”
A lot of things change throughout the year (especially during COVID) - some people find other schedules more suitable, some people move, some people are offered an AM or PM spot which works better for their schedule, etc. There is movement and it doesn’t cost anything to keep your status on our waitlist.
What if I decide not to accept the 3YO spot or we register and then decide to withdraw my child due to COVID reasons (i.e. concerns regarding increasing number of cases, not worth the risk, etc.)?
We will keep your child’s initial status on our waitlist if you are planning to return him/her in the 4YO class the following year.
What is the difference between a Priority Family and a New Family?
Families who have previous or current family member in the Preschool (sibling or parent was a student or teacher) and get priority to register before new families.
How much time and involvement are the parent volunteer jobs?
The preschool is made up of teachers and parent volunteers to make it as successful as it has been. Different jobs require different amounts of time and involvement. Please refer to the Parent Manual and Parent Jobs Outline found on our Home page for further details.
How do you assign the parent volunteer jobs?
We go through every parent’s job preference sheet that you fill out in the registration package. Then start assigning jobs based on the needs of the preschool. We have left space for parents to indicate any areas of strength or restrictions. Make use of this space to communicate with us about what works for you. We do our best to match everyone with something that they can do.
Joining the executive committee right off the bat sounds daunting…. Maybe someone else should do it.
Since our program is only for 2 years, it is hard to find “experienced” parents to join the executive. We like a mix of new and returning parents on the Executive, to keep the living memory of the executive alive. We are all parents and all learning and would love for you to join. We all work collaboratively, and everyone always has questions. We have resources to help all the executive positions, and some of them are doubled so you get a partner. In non-COVID times, there are also snacks at our meetings! There are a lot of pro’s to joining the executive, as you get insight about how the school operates, meet great parents outside your class, and are involved in your child’s first school experience.
Can I do playdough? It sounds like fun.
Playdough is the #1 requested job of the preschool. In actual fact, you need the biceps of a blacksmith and the patience of a saint to make the amount of playdough required for the preschool. Then you repeat this effort on whatever schedule is requested, which is very regularly.
What happens at the general meetings?
General meetings are fun times where the parents get to meet. We discuss preschool business, upcoming events. You get to socialize with other people who understand the life of parents. The teachers will give a presentation on what happens in the class, and sometimes (in non COVID times) there are projects that the parents do and leave in the classroom for the children. Some will laugh, some will cry, and someone will win the 50/50 draw, nobody has ever fallen asleep. In non-COVID times, there are even snacks you don’t have to share with your kids!
What is a society?
When you register your child, you become a member of Brentwood Nursery School Society. The Society is what runs the preschool. We are a registered charity. As a member, you get to be on the Executive Committee that oversees the running of the school (JOIN US!), or you can vote your favourite friend onto the Executive Committee.
What qualifications do your teachers have and what do they teach?
Brentwood Nursery School Society employs experienced qualified teachers who not only meet the standards of the Community Care Facilities Licensing Board but are also innovative in the field of Early Childhood Education. They are dedicated to our community and invest an incredible amount of heart and time in their work. Our teachers foster the wonder of a child through an emergent inquiry-based curriculum at the preschool. To learn more about the teachers and their teaching philosophy, please refer to our About tab. You can also read about one of the projects explored in the classroom at the bottom our Classroom Information tab.
How many children are there in a class and how many teachers?
In the 3YO program, we have 16 children and 2 teachers.
In the 4YO program, we have 20 children and 2 teachers.
During non-COVID times, we have one Duty Parent in each class. Our duty parent is like a 3rd teacher and having them in the classroom is something we value greatly about our program. Having parents in the classrooms provides a space for parents to discover what their child is doing at school, to participate in the explorations, to reflect with the teachers, bringing our learning community closer.
What does a day at preschool look like?
The children arrive to school and we gather in a circle for meeting time. This is a great moment for us to greet everyone, make connections, discuss current explorations and projects in the classroom. The children then take part in various activities throughout the classroom, such as painting, water and sand play, building, performing on our stage, science investigations, material explorations, outdoor play, and so on. The children are free to move around the room and during this time, they will also have an opportunity to join an open-snack time if they choose to. Near the end of class, we work together to clean up the classroom and end with a circle time. This is a time where children will read books, take part in movement and music, group games and have discussions about the experiences they explored during class. It is also a wonderful way to end our time together and say goodbye before dismissal.
My child cries when I leave him/her and I’m worried about separation anxiety.
We begin each school year with a gradual entry as preschool imposes a strain for many children in which a few may object to leaving their parent (particularly the three-year olds) or are uneasy about the new environment. You can be reassured that this is quite normal for young children and that the teachers are very good about helping your child adjust. Since each child responds to separation and the new environment differently, each will be handled to suit his/her needs.
My child isn’t potty trained yet. Can I still register?
Yes, we acknowledge that every child develops differently and may not be fully potty trained by the time he/she begins preschool. Our facility has the equipment needed for your child to practice their independence and gain more confidence in using the bathroom on his/her own at preschool.
My child requires extra support. Will your program accept children with needs?
Yes, our teaching team consists of experienced, trained and ethically responsible educators who recognize every child’s right to quality care. We are committed to providing the best care and education possible for every child and their unique needs. We have a support policy at Brentwood. Please contact our registrar team for further details.
Have more questions? Please email our registrars below: