The Yellowknife Playschool Association is a nonprofit organization formed by parents in 1977 to provide children two to five years of age with a rewarding playschool experience. We are a non-profit organization that is managed by a parent-run board of directors.
We would like to respectfully acknowledge that the land that we learn and play on is on Chief Drygeese territory, the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation descendants of Tetsǫ́t’ıné. We would like to acknowledge the knowledge holders of this land, both past, present and those emerging.
Through physical activity, music, storytelling, children’s theater, arts and crafts the students of the Yellowknife Playschool acquire the social, physical and intellectual skills that will prepare them for entry to Kindergarten and beyond.
Our program is based on the principle that children learn through creative play. For this reason, the program is activity based to provide a wide variety of experiences. Creative play activities enhance children’s overall growth. Some of the indoor play areas include: water and sand tables, large and small building blocks, puzzles, books, arts and crafts, a house corner and dress up clothes. In the outdoor play yard there is a climbing structure, two ride-on spring toys, a boat, a sand area and a gardening area.
Children spend the first hour of the day exploring the activity centers or participating in a craft project. After tidying up, there is ‘circle time’, with songs, stories, games, poems and conversation relating to the current theme or topic of interest being investigated. Then a nutritious snack (from home) is followed by story time and quiet sensory and fine motor play. The day ends with outdoor play. The children are encouraged to handle the routines as independently as possible.
Each child develops at his or her own rate, according to their interest and skill level. They are encouraged to develop skills in Early Childhood concepts, i.e. colours, shapes, letters and numbers. Children are not expected to complete certain tasks before they can move on to other activities, however, any child showing an interest in doing so is encouraged by the teachers. Student progress is monitored by the teachers and they are available for consultation should you have any concerns about your child’s development.
The playschool is located at the corner of Burwash Drive and 56th Street, and is wheelchair accessible.
What are people saying about Yk Playschool?
My daughter participated in play-school afternoons and we were thrilled about the option of part-time play based learning and it exceeded our expectations. YK playschool provided a caring and safe play based environment that helped my daughter’s social, emotional and educational development. The staff were creative, patient, loving and helped develop my daughter’s independence.
Melissa Bard. Parent of 4 year old Allegra Bard.
My daughter loved the crafts, outdoor play, songs, circle time and friends. I loved the balance it brought to our lives for the year and how it was a perfect step before kindergarten!
My son attended two well loved years of part time afternoons at YK Playschool.
He loved the teachers, activities, crafts, circle time and especially the outside playtime. He learned to play well in a large group, how to follow classroom like routines and enjoyed the time independent from home. I feel he is very well prepared for kindergarten and his little brother will now enjoy his Playschool years just the same.
April Fraser