5 Best Preschools in Calgary That Local Parents Keep Bragging About
A friend of mine recently moved to Calgary and enrolled her little one in a preschool that seemed perfect on paper…but it just wasn’t working.
Every morning was a struggle because her kid kept crying during drop-offs. The only thing her child actually looked forward to each day was swimming lessons after school.
That’s when she started questioning why her youngster wasn’t thriving: Was it the routine? The teaching style? The environment?
So, she asked for my help to vet other preschools. We compared programs, visited a few in person, and pored over real parent feedback.
That experience inspired this guide. Here are the top preschools in Calgary to help your young ones flourish.
How much do preschools charge in Calgary?
Preschools in Calgary typically charge between $200 and $1,299 per month, depending on the program and schedule.
Fees can also vary based on class size, teacher qualifications, and included activities.
1. Highland Park Preschool
Address: 3716 2 St NW
Phone: +1 403-276-6969
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 9 AM- 3 PM
Highland Park Preschool is a non-profit, parent-operated play school. It runs out of the Highland Park Community Hall, offering 2.5-hour morning and afternoon sessions.
Their goal is to support the holistic development of three and four-year-olds by focusing on milestones like speech and fine motor skills.
We like their impressive adult-to-child ratio, which has multi-layered supervision. Each session is led by a qualified teacher and a teacher’s assistant, often supplemented by a parent volunteer.
A typical routine here includes circle and gym time, as well as music, art, and science activities. These keep students engaged and encourage creative exploration.
However, because this program is highly regarded, it’s incredibly in demand. We suggest getting on the inquiry list early to secure a spot.
Low fees and excellent programming
“This is our second child to attend this wonderful program! Great teachers, daily access to a big gym space, lovely outdoor garden space, low fees, and excellent programming and communication! Highly recommend :)” — Jess Veltman, Google Review
Teachers help shy students feel confident
“As a first school experience, this preschool is fantastic. The class sizes are reasonably small (18 kids max, but more like a dozen on a typical day). Drop-off and pickup aren’t congested. The teachers are caring and help shy students feel confident. The gym upstairs provides lots of space for kids to run, even on cold days. It’s neat to meet other parents and families in the community. If you live near Highland Park, definitely consider this preschool.” — Cynthia Heinrichs, Google Review
2. Kings Kids Preschool
Address: 2640 Rundlelawn Rd NE
Phone: +1 403-285-4855
Business hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 6:30 AM–6 PM
Kings Kids Preschool serves families in Rundle and the surrounding Northeast Calgary neighborhoods. Rooted in Biblical Christian values, this preschool is a great resource for religious families with children ranging from 33 months to five years old.
The facility itself offers a bright and spacious classroom that feels inviting for young learners. They also have a full-size gym and kitchen used for daily programming.
As for their curriculum, the school provides craft time and free play, while emphasizing core values like respect and obedience.
We love that they even host special events like Pizza Days, Friendsgiving, and Mother’s Day celebrations.
What we don’t love, however, are the reports of their staff being rude to parents. Hopefully, these were just rare occurrences and not the norm.
Really helped my kids grow and learn in fun ways
“My two kids went to King’s Kids, and they really helped my kids grow and learn in fun ways that keep them engaged and interested. The staff is amazing, they make sure the kids are comfortable and excited to learn. I highly recommend anyone who’s looking for a preschool for their kids.” — Abu Yimer, Google Review
Helped my daughter improve her social skills
“Wonderful school. My daughter has been here for 2 years, and I always see a smile on her face every time I pick her up from school. My daughter was quite shy in the beginning (and still is on occasion), but they’ve helped her improve on her social skills and encourage her to be more confident by being a “special helper,” where they bring a toy and have them describe it, etc., engage in great activities (arts and crafts, gym time) and special events. All the teachers are fantastic and really care about what they do. She will surely miss all of her friends and teachers at King’s Kids. Thank you!!” — Marie Char DC, Google Review
3. Silver Springs Preschool
Address: 5720 Silver Ridge Dr NW
Phone: +1 403-288-2616
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 9 AM–4 PM
Silver Springs Preschool operates as a non-profit organization that views play as an important part of early childhood development.
In fact, they incorporate fun elements into their learning, such as dedicated music lessons and even an exercise program that features yoga and gym time.
As for their curriculum, they have a unique Handwriting Without Tears program, with a focus on pre-writing skills that give students a head start.
We like that they go beyond the standard classroom experience by hosting organized field trips and a variety of in-class visitors. These perks help bridge the gap between the school and the real world.
Just keep in mind that they tend to have long waitlists, so you might want to reach out as early as possible.
Delightful Reggio-inspired preschool with caring teachers
“Delightful Reggio-inspired preschool with caring teachers who spend individual time with each child! It’s a well-rounded program, and thanks to the one-on-one sessions, my son entered kindergarten with grade 1/grade 2 math skills. Also love the location right next door to a park/playground with beautiful trees, an ice-rink, and a swimming pool for the summer.” — Corinna VS, Google Review
The teachers are kind, attentive, energetic, and organized
“We have had such a great experience at SS Preschool with our daughter. The teachers are kind, attentive, energetic, and organized…and there always seems to be a new and fun activity or adventure happening! I especially appreciate the quality of communication and optional parent involvement. We will definitely be sending our younger daughter here in the future.” — Dara Hanna, Google Review
4. Purple ‘Potamus Preschool Country Hills
Address: 500 Country Hills Blvd NE, Unit 780
Phone: +1 403-567-0249
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Purple ‘Potamus Preschool Country Hills’ philosophy is focused on building a deeply emotional and nurturing environment where every child feels safe and valued.
They integrate STEAM and literacy into a play-based framework. Instructors make sure that science and math are natural parts of everyday discovery to prepare children for the modern world.
What’s great is that, unlike other preschools, they introduce French and Spanish as second languages. This early introduction not only fosters cultural awareness but also supports cognitive growth.
They cater to children aged 2.5 to 5 years, and you can choose between half-day or full-day programs—perfect for working or busy parents.
Of course, not everything’s stellar here. We noticed their fees are comparatively pricey, so be prepared.
They treat my son like their own
“I highly recommend this preschool! I will be forever grateful, especially to the teachers who are so patient and kind to my son. I really appreciate how much they care for their students. They treat my son like their own. They value the trust that the parents have given them. Thank you so much, teachers!” — Maria Covacha, Google Review
Witnessed a remarkable improvement
“I am incredibly grateful for the excellent teachers Ms. Karishma, Mr. Len, and Ms. Angie at Purple ‘Potamus who genuinely care for each student’s well-being. Before enrolling at Purple Potamus, my daughter was performing below average academically. However, since she started attending, I have witnessed a remarkable improvement in her academic performance and overall growth. I attribute this positive change to the dedication and support of the teachers, particularly Mrs. Mandip. Thank you for nurturing and guiding my daughter on her educational journey.” — Vasantha Kandasamy, Google Review
5. Edelweiss Preparatory School
Address: 600 Northmount Dr NW
Phone: +1 403-282-4220
Business hours:
- Tue – Thurs: 8 AM–4 PM
Edelweiss Preparatory School is named after a resilient alpine flower, a symbol of lasting love and adventure that mirrors their mission. For more than three decades, they’ve been focused on instilling an early love of learning in every student.
They do this with the help of their program: a blend of structured and open-ended STEAM learning. This stellar approach helped them earn recognition as Best Preschool by Calgary’s Child magazine.
Active learning is a feature here, with daily gym lessons and weekly specialized music and science classes. They also have creative story times and art activities, which encourage artistic expression.
What we’re actually impressed by is their rotation of special guests that visit throughout the year—local authors, NASA Ambassadors, Arctic wildlife experts, you name it.
The only downside is that we heard about isolated reports regarding teaching consistency. But most parents still think they’re worth it.
One of the best educational experiences
“This truly is one of the best educational experiences I can imagine for any child. There is a lot of intention that goes into the curriculum, and they take the best parts of the many education programs/theories to make one that is incredible. Each month, the classroom does activities and learning that relate to the theme and virtue. The classroom decor is rotated, and the same with the toys and literature. I am impressed with the variation in activities the kids get to do in class, as well as the guests they bring in and the field trips they attend. The administration of the school is also very well organized, with the staff being quick to respond. The teachers and staff are very nurturing and kind and have the kids’ best interests at heart. I would love it if this were a Pre K-12 school, and I am grateful we had such a great experience!” — Betty Bacque, Google Review
Structure & curriculum have set our kids up for success
“It is quite obvious early on that the Ownership and Teachers deeply care for their Students. The structure and curriculum have set both of our daughters up for success. We are so proud and fortunate to have Edelweiss Preparatory School in our community!” — Leanne Skillen, Google Review