The education system in Canada
Canada has many public and private daycare centres and schools that are open to everyone, regardless of citizenship. However, Canadian education is not always free.
Kindergartens in Canada
In Canada, children between the ages of 2-3 and 4-5 years old can attend nursery schools. In Canada, these facilities are called nursery schools or daycares. What they have in common is that they provide daycare for a fee and they are not required.
There are also some kindergartens, called kindergartens. These facilities provide one year of school readiness and are required in all regions of the country, except Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In most provinces and territories, children can be enrolled in kindergarten when they reach their 5th birthday on December 31st of the school year.
Children can attend pre-kindergarten at local elementary schools, which can be public or private. There are different types of organizations that offer pre-kindergarten education in Canada, including
- co-operative schools — non-profit schools where parents volunteer to work as teaching assistants along with professional teachers;
- church-affiliated schools — usually affiliated with religious organisations and may provide religious education;
- Private schools — For-profit schools that are usually expensive to attend;
- Public schools — offer free education and are available where you live.
How to enrol in kindergarten
Children of all permanent residents of Canada, whether born in the country or abroad, are eligible to attend kindergarten at a public elementary school free of charge. Kindergarten registration usually begins in January or February for the following September.
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