School District 22 is committed to enhancing early learning experiences and is involved in many initiatives that support Early Learning & Child Care in our community. With a dedicated early childhood team focused on supporting young children & families, we work alongside many community partners to ensure children reach their potential.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Education and Child Care. Funding allows us to offer a wide range of early learning & child care programs.
If you have any questions about School District 22 Early Learning & Child Care programs, contact us:
Early Learning & Child Care Department
earlylearning@sd22.bc.ca
250-260-4490
StrongStart BC
Program Information
StrongStart BC programs provide rich learning environments designed for early learning development - language, physical, cognitive, social and emotional. Qualified Early Childhood Educators lead learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages.
Participate with your young child (aged birth to five) in play-based early learning activities - including stories, music and art. At no cost to families, this early learning drop-in program supports children's development on the road to Kindergarten.
Children are eligible to attend StrongStart programs until they reach school age and are registered in school.
Program Locations & Schedule
StrongStart Program Calendar 2025-2026
StrongStart programs are located in the blue Early Learning Centres on school grounds.
Alexis Park Elementary School
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8:45am-11:45am
4205 – 35 Street, Vernon
Harwood Elementary School
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:15am-12:15pm
4320 20th Street, Vernon
Mission Hill Elementary School
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8:45am-11:45am
1510 – 36th Street, Vernon
Ellison Elementary School
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:15am-12:15pm
2400 Fulton Road, Vernon
Registration
You may register for StrongStart at any time!
Please be prepared to provide legal proof of identification for your child:
- Any type of vital statistics document, like a birth certificate
- Identification issued by Immigration Canada (e.g. passport, visa, permanent resident card)
- An Aboriginal Status Card
Your child's initial registration into a StrongStart BC program will also mark the beginning of their educational record in BC and they will receive a Personal Education Number (PEN).
Pop Up & Play Events
Program Information
Pop Up & Play events are part of our Ready, Set, Learn program and are intended for families and their three to five year old children. These events are all about fostering positive connections between families, the school system and local community agencies. Events provide a fun, family-oriented atmosphere with the intent of supporting children's transitions into school.
Upcoming Events & Registration
We are excited to welcome you to Tasty Tales & Kindergarten Trails, our 2026 Pop up & Play series!
Session 1: How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods
February 24th
Registration Page
Session 2: Bee-Bim-Bop
March 10th
Registration Page
Session 3: Alexander's Pizza Monster Kindness
April 14th
Registration Page
Session 4: Lulu's Lunch
April 28th
Registration Page
Session 5: If You Give a Pig a Pancake
May 12th
Registration Page
3-5 Year Old Child Care
Program Information
School District 22 is pleased to partner with BGC Okanagan for the provision of child care services for 3-5 year old children on school grounds. At BGC Okanagan, 3-5 year old programs are designed to nurture a sense of wonder, belonging, and possibility.
BGC embraces an emergent curriculum approach, where learning experiences grow from the ideas, interests, and questions of the children themselves. Educators and children are co-learners, exploring together, asking meaningful questions, and building knowledge through play, experimentation, and discovery.
Locations & Times
BGC's licensed child care programs for children ages 3-5 years old are operated in the Early Learning Centres on school grounds.
Alexis Park Early Learning Centre
Monday - Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Ellison Early Learning Centre
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Mission Hill Early Learning Centre
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
Registration
Contact BGC Okanagan to register in a 3-5 Year Child Care program.
Preschool Program
Program Information
School District 22 offers a high-quality, affordable, and inclusive preschool program for 3-5 year old children. Our Preschool program supports young children's learning and social-emotional development. Certified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Early Childhood Educator Assistants (ECE-As) build positive relationships with children and create an environment that is full of engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Through play, our preschool programs:
- nurture a sense of well-being and belonging
- provide opportunities for children to communicate their ideas and build relationships with others through dancing, constructing, art, mathematics, music, science, and storytelling
- build young children's positive sense of self-worth, self-awareness & identity:
*Note: As space permits, we enroll children at any time throughout the school year. A child must be 3 years of age enroll in our Preschool program.
Locations & Times
Harwood Elementary Early Learning Centre
Monday - Friday
8:30am-12:30pm
Preschool Fees
We offer 2, 3, and 5 day enrollment. Program fees are determined based upon a child's enrollment.
5 days/week: $405
3 days/week: $315
2 days/week: $210
Preschool are inclusive of the Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI).
The Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) is a monthly subsidy to help eligible families with the cost of child care. Factors like income, family size, and type of care determine how much support families receive. We support families with ACCB applications.
Registration
As space permits, we enroll children all year long for the 2025-2026 Preschool program. Contact us today to apply for registration.
School Age Child Care
Program Information
School age child care programs on school grounds create smooth transitions for children Kindergarten to 12 years old. High-quality, affordable, inclusive, and culturally safe programs allow children to explore their passions and interests and engage in both indoor and outdoor play experiences outside of school time.
School District 22 operates licensed school-age child care programs on school grounds and we also partner with community child care providers who operate on our school grounds. Operational calendars for child care services vary by provider.
School District 22 School Age Child Care Program Locations & Times
École Beairsto Elementary
BX Elementary
Kidston Elementary
Lavington Elementary
Okanagan Landing Elementary
Before School Child Care: 7:20am - first bell
After School Child Care: school dismissal - 5:30pm
Apply for 2025-2026 School District 22 School Age Child Care Programs
2026-2027 School District 22 School Age Child Care Program Information & Application
BGC Okanagan School Age Child Care Program Locations & Times
Alexis Park Elementary
Ellison Elementary
Harwood Elementary
Mission Hill Elementary
After School Child Care: school dismissal to 6:00pm
Register for BGC Okanagan School Age Child Care Programs
Maven Lane School Age Child Care Program Locations & Times
Coldstream Elementary
After School Child Care: school dismissal - 5:30pm
Contact Maven Lane
Kindergarten
Welcome to Kindergarten!
Starting Kindergarten is an important milestone for a young child and their family! We can't wait to welcome you and support a smooth transition into school.
A full day, play-based kindergarten program has many benefits for a child’s academic and social skills.
Children can start Kindergarten in September of the year they turn five years old. Schools partner with families in their child’s learning journey, believing that families have the most important role in contributing to children’s well-being and belonging.
Kindergarten is a year full of playful learning where children are encouraged to be curious, creative, and make new friends. Kindergarten is a place to wonder, to play, and to learn!
Registration
To learn more about Kindergarten registration, please visit the Student Registration page
Kindergarten Transitions
Important Dates
January: Register your child for Kindergarten
February-May: Join us at one of our Pop up & Play Events
May/June: Attend the Welcome to Kindergarten event at your child's school (schools send details via email in the Spring to registered families)
July/August: Talk, Read, Create & Play
Talk & Sing Together
Talking and singing with your child builds relationships, memory, rhythm & rhyme, belonging, enjoyment of music, listening & speaking skills, and an appreciation for cultural stories & oral traditions.
Read Together
Reading with your child builds vocabulary, a sense of story, knowledge, and print, letter & number awareness. Visit your local library!
Create Together
Creating builds problem-solving skills, imagination & personal expression, small & large muscle control and coordination, along with measurement, geometry & spatial awareness.
Play Together
Playing builds self-awareness & regulation, math concepts & vocabulary, confidence & well-being, empathy & understanding, decision-making skills, cooperation, physical skills, and curiosity.
September: Kindergarten Gradual Entry begins
Gradual entry is offered at all elementary schools and provides a smooth transition to a full day of school. Your child's school will send you a schedule that outlines your child's Kindergarten Gradual Entry schedule for the start of the new school year.
Kindergarten Resources for Families
Supporting Transitions to Kindergarten
When I Go to Kindergarten
Early Learning Framework: A Guide for Families (language translations)
Play Today: A Guide for Families (language translations)
Support the Transition to Kindergarten
Resources for Families
Families have the most important role in contributing to children's well-being and learning. The Ministry of Education and Child Care publishes a variety of resources to support families in the early years.
Play
Child Care
Health and Safety
Kindergarten
Learning Supports
Early Learning Programs