Cochrane will getting a new kindergarten and potentially a new preschool this fall.
Foothills Creative Beginnings and ECS Association, a non-profit society governing the preschool and kindergarten divisions, has been approved to open Foothills Creative Beginnings Kindergarten at 2208 120 5th Avenue for September 2016.
The preschool has yet to be approved by the Cochrane Planning Commission.
“We had a hearing with the Cochrane Planning Commission and now the property gets posted with a sign that we’re setting up there. That gets posted for two weeks and that allows people who might have concerns to phone the Town of Cochrane,” said Lorraine Parker, director of the society.
After the two-week period, if no complaints are received Parker said the preschool will then be approved and will open for the same time as the kindergarten.
The society is already renovating the space to get ready for the upcoming school season. Parker said the two programs would run seasonally during the school year to start but they would look at offering summer programs in 2017.
“The kindergarten would have room for 12 kids and the preschool could take up to 20 kids. The kindergarten will have a classroom teacher and an assistant in the classroom. For the preschool, each group of 10 students would have a teacher and an assistant,” Parker said.
“We are a little bit different from some preschools and kindergartens – one of our focuses is definitely on language and communication. We spend quite a bit of time with stories and art, particularly painting. We have an art room with easels for every child in the class giving every child an opportunity to paint, since kids don’t print in the beginning so it gives them a way to express themselves,” Parker explained.
Aside from operating its own preschools and kindergartens, the society currently has partnerships with five other preschools in the area in which it provides funding and support services for children with special needs.
Parker explained since the kindergarten won’t be attached to an elementary school, parents can choose where their kids will pursue their education when moving into Grade 1.
Angela Spanier, with Rocky View School Division, said Cochrane currently has a demand for new schools in the area.
“Cochrane is growing and the demand for new schools is reflective of a new K-8 school, RancheView, opening this September and a new K-8 school, Fireside, opening in September 2017. With the opening of these new schools, Cochrane’s facility capacity will not reach the ceiling of 85 per cent until 2021,” Spanier said.
For more information about Foothills Creative Beginnings and ECS Association visit creativebeginnings.ca.
