Les Causeries is a non-profit parent-run preschool for 3 & 4 year olds in Edmonton, AB Canada.
PLAY × LEARN × GROW
Our instructors offer a gradual introduction to French in a 'learn through play environment'. The playschool is child-oriented and activities are adapted to the interests and needs of the child. Our main focus is to offer a specialized program exposing 3 and 4 year old children to the French language.
In the playschool, children are under no pressure to speak French; the intention is to lay a firm foundation by hearing the language spoken and developing an 'ear' for it. Instructions, words, stories, etc. will always be repeated in English as required so that the children always understand what is being said. We believe that children learn best through play experience, by learning to use a variety of materials and by exploring their environment.
We are a co-operative playschool and as such we need the participation of all our families to make our playschool run smoothly and effectively. There is no formal requirement for parent duty days as the school employs an instructor and assistant, however parental participation is strongly encouraged. There are many opportunities for parents to become actively involved: classroom preparation, field trips, in-class volunteer days, and special events, etc. We place great value on informality throughout the daily sessions and encourage each individual (both child and adult) to feel relaxed and have the freedom to be oneself.
Instructor Email
Board Email
phone
7804358875
Location
Pleasantview Community Hall
10860 57 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
MAILING ADDRESS
Les Causeries
Southgate RPO
PO Box 76094
Edmonton, AB T6H 5Y7
Instructors
Mme. Julie
Mme. Julie has worked at Les Causeries for the past four years. She has recently completed her Early Learning and Childcare certificate through Northwestern Polytechnic. She has also completed the Flight Course through Macewan University, providing an understanding of Alberta's early learning and care framework. She is passionate about play-based learning and values each child as a mighty learner. She loves providing opportunities for messy play, social learning, and outdoor exploration. When she isn’t at preschool, she enjoys volunteering with her community, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Mme. Sonia
Mme. Sonia has been with Les Causeries for fifteen years and loves getting to know each child and family at our school. She has endless ideas for fun and exciting art projects, and encourages learning through play in our various learning centres. She ensures that every child feels welcomed in our preschool environment. Mme. Sonia also enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, trying local restaurants, taking trips to the mountains, and visiting Portugal in the summers.
Mme. Jen
Mme. Jen has just joined Les Causeries this year, and brings with her a love of theatre, nature, and French language education. She has a BEd from the University of Alberta’s Campus St. Jean, and also currently works teaching elementary French at the WISE charter school. Mme. Jen has an extensive background in art and theatre and is passionate about the role of art in education and our communities. She enjoys carefully observing children at play and providing meaningful play experiences to help the children learn and grow. In her free time, Mme. Jen enjoys crafting with her six-year-old daughter, skiing, reading, yoga, and exploring new places.
Registrations
2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR
Registration for the 2025/26 school year is open now for returning families!
Registration opens on January 20, 2025 for the public!
Please contact frenchplayschool@gmail.com for more information.
Please remember to read the Parent Handbook as it is a requirement of the registration process. Print, fill out the registration form and return with your registration fee to the school during regular hours.
Classes
We have morning classes available. Class size is kept small to provide a better experience for the children. If there is enough interest, the playschool will consider offering a class in the afternoon.
We follow all requirements mandated by the Child Care Licensing Act and the Child Care Licensing Regulation. Our school is licensed by Alberta Human Services and regularly inspected to ensure we continually meet these requirements for license.
2, 3, 4, OR 5 DAY A WEEK OPTIONS
(Children must be 3 years old on or before December 31, 2025)
All classes run from 8:45 am - 11:15 am. The 4-year-old class will run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and the 3 year old class will run on Tuesday and Thursday.
If you are interested in alternate days or additional days please email us at frenchplayschool@gmail.com.
Please note: if more than 2 children under the age of 3 apply to register, the next child under the age of 3 will have to wait until either they turn 3 or one of the other children turns 3 before they can commence classes. The option to pay and hold a spot in the class will be available to these families. Additionally, when children under 3 are admitted, a parent volunteer may be required to attend each class until the youngest child turns 3 to ensure adherence to Government of Alberta’s Childcare Licensing Requirements.
While most children leave the program at age 5 to go on to kindergarten, consideration will be given to the return/ admission of children who are not ready to move on. The cut-off age for the program is 5 years by October 1 of the school year (i.e. children turning 5 before that date will be considered for the program only with the Instructor's recommendation).
All children must be completely potty trained. Children may not wear pull-ups or diapers.
Any child not meeting any of the criteria outlined above may be conditionally accepted at the Instructor’s discretion. However, if at any time in the school year the Instructor feels that your child is not appropriate for the program, you will be asked to wait to re-enrol him/her later in the school year or the following year, subject to space availability. Your unused tuition fees will be returned to you.
Information for Parents
Things to know
Did you know that Les Causeries is one of the few Edmonton-based co-operative preschools that does not require mandatory parental duty days? Parental volunteers are welcome to participate and help in class but parents are primarily asked to assist by taking on a volunteer position outside of class time (which can usually be filled on weekends or during week nights).
For more detailed information including fees and volunteer duty, please view our Parent Handbook. We ask that all parents read the handbook as part of our registration requirements.
Les Causeries is a TREE NUT and PEANUT FREE environment. Therefore, we ask kindly, that you please make certain that NO snacks contain these ingredients. Thank you!
CHILDCARE SUBSIDY
Les Causeries is an approved program for the Government of Alberta child care subsidy. To see if you qualify or for more information, please visit www.child.alberta.ca or call 1 (877) 644-9992.
These tuition fees reflect the $75 Government of Alberta subsidy. Your family may qualify for an ADDITIONAL fee subsidy (household income under $179,999). Families must apply on their own for the subsidy to be sent directly to the Playschool and applied to their fees.
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Field Trips & In Class Activities
Our class has many in-class visits and field trips throughout the year. In the past we have had in class visits from J'Adore Dance, Glow Yoga, Sportball, Marine Life, Playtime Performers, and Kompany Family Theatre. In addition we plan field trips to the Muttart, the Valley Zoo, and Safety City.
Open House 2025
Our open house for 2025 has now been completed. If you missed it, please contact us as we are happy to show the space and talk a little more about the program. We can’t wait to meet you!