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Specializing in Early Childhood Education

Award Winning Facility

JumpStart Learning Centres have been highly ranked in Edmonton among parents and media.
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Top 3 Ranked Preschool

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Top 3 Ranked Preschool

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  • Browse Through All Of Our Reviews
Awesome program! It was really structured which helped my son know exactly what to expect each day. His confidence has grown so much since being in the program. I loved the progress reports and field trips and small class size.
Ashley W.
It's great programme to get your kid ready for kinder garden Great teachers
Sarbjit M.
Very impressive program. The owner is great! Excellent teachers!!
HB L.
Great preschool. My son absolutely love the centre and the amazing teachers! Highly recommended.
Angi A.
I am so pleased with the results from Jumpstart! My son went through the 3 and 4 year old program , and is presently in Kindergarten doing excellent! His teacher has mentioned that a great foundation is noticeable in performance. My daughter has also gone through the 3 year old program and is almost completed the 4 year old year. She is doing well and I am excited to see her excel in Elementary school!
Shuranda A. H.
Very excellent pre-kindergarten program! After spent the whole school year with Jumpstart, my son has been successfully enrolled in Cogito program.
Zhen L.
Very pleased with the curriculum. Especially in the midst of the pandemic, the centre has provided a safe space for the kids to learn, without compromising on quality of education:)
Prarthna N.
Great preschool for kids to start with. My son absolutely loved it. Excellent teachers with great knowledge .
Shane P.
My little guy arrived at JUMPSTART in his shell. I watched him blossom. His speech has improved. Confidence soared. His social skills have softened to a kinder nature. He began to learn to read. The teachers are loving and caring. They are able to connect with your child in a way a parent is not always able to. The most confirming part was having my niece visit who is 5.5 and seeing that my son was further along academically. Wow. Great job JUMPSTART.
Adri E.
I sent my son to this program when he was just a little over 3. We were amazed at how much he learnt in such a short time. Great program, and great teachers. Highly recommend.
Lakshmi Prasad C.
My daughter attended the program in Callaghan. We had a great experience. She learned so much this year and it was so well organized. The teachers were great and she loved them.
Heather M.
I have two of my kids registered at Jumpstart, and I am pleased with the curriculum. Especially during early pandemic that they provide very helpful packages to support my children's learning. I highly recommend.
Paresza C.
Amazing program, the teachers go above and beyond to make each child's experience a special one! They will truly be missed now that the school year is over.
Alex M.
Our kids loved the “at home packages” that were created. Thanks for all the support!
Erin J.
Excellent preschool! Small class sizes where children can excel with more one on one time with the teacher.
Lenore C.
There are no words to describe how amazing Jumpstart has been. The class sizes are smaller which makes learning more 1:1 and personalized. Teachers create fun ways to teach, always keep you up to date on progress, and most importantly, each day provide pictures and videos for the parents to see how the day went. I highly recommend Jumpstart to anyone looking to put their child in preschool.
Christine G.
We are so thrilled with the school. The teachers and curriculum can’t be matched. She amazes us everyday with her knowledge. Thank you for being awesome!!
Deanne W.
Absolutely love the preschool! The curriculum is so enriching and the staff is very friendly. Too bad my daughter's year was cut short due to the pandemic but the at-home learning packages were so helpful and well planned. My daughter enjoyed going there. The summer camps are also fun and educational. I would 100% recommend it to everone.
Hina A.
We could not be happier with our experience at Jumpstart. Our daughter is a little shy and they made her transition to preschool as smooth as possible. The teachers are all wonderful and she loves going to school every day. I’m so impressed with how much she has learned and know that she is going to be so much better prepared for kindergarten having gone through this program.
Laura C.
Great learning space, great teachers, my son loved it there! Also he really enjoyed the summer camps.
Nadia A.
So much careful thought and attention put into activities and especially for the kiddos preparing for kindergarten...my son received every experience he would get in kindergarten...even a bus ride and a stage performance! Staff are loving and caring and very understanding of the kids feelings. I cannot thank JumpStart enough for what they have given our son...he is confident and ready for kindergarten!
Sal M.
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Our Story

JumpStart's founder, Sharon, has been with the public school system for over 20 years teaching in the classroom and acting as a Consultant helping schools and teachers with Early Language Learners.

Shortly after obtaining her Bachelor of Education from the UofA in 2002, Sharon began her career with the Edmonton Public School system.  She developed a passion for teaching the ‘Early Years’ students and it led her to complete her Master of Education in 2012 at the UofA focusing on Early Language Learners.   

While on maternity leave with her first child, she founded Jumpstart Learning Centre in 2013.  Here’s how…

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Sharon and her husband, Gary, welcomed their first child in 2012.  While on maternity leave, Sharon was a part of a local Mom’s group and they routinely got together to participate in various social activities with their kiddos.   A common complaint amongst the Mom’s in the group was about the lack of quality preschool options that were more than just supervised play.  All the options marketed learning but lacked the substance and results.  This, coupled with her desire to prepare her own daughter for school, led her to create a service that would solve this problem using her passion, education, and experience, 

While still on maternity leave, she opened the very first Jumpstart Learning Centre location out of her home with just a handful of students to keep her busy, but not too busy!  She used her education and experience to create the perfect program that bridged the gap between preschool and Grade 1.  The curriculum uses a combination of both tried and true, as well as the latest research-based methods. The curriculum ties directly into the school system and builds the required skills & abilities as well as confidence to succeed.

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When it came time for Sharon to go back to the school system, word had already gotten out about the program and there was a large demand from referrals and word of mouth… Parents just wanted her to continue offering this program.

Even though Sharon had planned to return to the school system, she didn’t want to let down all these parents in the community. As a solution, she decided to create a standardized curriculum, lesson plans, and a training program to be able to show others how to deliver the Jumpstart program.  Sharon knew there were key pillars of the program that could not be compromised such as:

  • Small class sizes
  • Separation of age groups
  • Structured environment
  • Individualized Programming
  • Play with Purpose and Intentional Approach
  • Meaningful Student Assessment

She hired the first outside Educator in 2014. Later, an opportunity to open a commercial location presented itself and the rest is history! 

She now sits on the Board of Directors of Jumpstart Learning Centre and routinely tweaks the program and ensures the Educators are trained and delivering the programs original vision.

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Company History

2012

Idea for the Jumpstart Program is born

 

2012

2013

First Jumpstart Location (Home-Based)
2013

2014

Jumpstart curriculum is standardized and first outside Educator is hired


2014

2016

Jumpstart Learning Centre Ltd is incorporated


2016

2017

1st Commercial location opens
2017

2020

2nd Commercial location opens
2020

2022

3rd Commercial location opens

2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Is subsidy available?

Yes. Currently, subsidy is available only at our Commercial Locations. Please check the Government of Alberta site to see if you are eligible:

https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.aspx

Are the fees tax deductible?

Child care expenses at any of our center’s do qualify for a tax deduction if you are eligible:

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-21400-child-care-expenses.html

Will my child be prepared for special entrance exams?

Your child will be prepared for entrance exams that are required for special programs like the Cogito Program @ Edmonton Public Schools, or Chartered schools like Aurora

Can you prove your results?

Our results speak louder than words! Click here to view Parent Reviews.

Can I see the classroom?

Click here to view a classroom Virtual Tour (coming soon)

Click here to book a classroom In-person tour

What are the Covid Protocols?

Click here to view our COVID Protocols

What are the available schedules?
Click here to view our program schedule
Which program will my child be in?

Program Eligibility is based on your child’s age:

Child AgeProgram
1Not eligible for the Jumpstart Program
2/3Jumpstart Discovery Program (Parented Class)
3/4Jumpstart Prep Program*
4/5Jumpstart Scholars Program*
5/6Jumpstart Kinder Program
6+Jumpstart Afterschool Learning Program

Your child can start in September and will be placed in the appropriate program based on age, see below.

The Regular Program Year is from September – June (we do allow students to join later in the program year based on availability)

The Summer Program is from July-August

Discovery Program (Parented)
If your child is 2 and is not eligible for the unparented Prep Program.

Prep Program
If your child turns 3 by December 31st of the Program Year

Scholars/Kinder Program
If your child turns 4 by December 31st of the Program Year

Afterschool Learning Program (coming soon)
If your child is in Grades 1-3, they would be eligible for our Afterschool Learning Program that enhances Math and Literacy Skills.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Do you offer a Full Day option?

We are experts in providing your child with an age-appropriate structured early learning education.

Our staffing includes teachers who have a different set of skills and training than your typical daycare staff.

Also, our programming would not be sustainable in a full-day format for students in this age group. Full-day programs that are more play-focused like in daycares would be more suitable in a full-day format.

However, we do work with daycares and dayhomes in the area to provide transportation to and from our centre. This way, you do not have to worry about getting your child to and from our centre. We also extended care in the PM schedule so you can pick up later.

View our Locations page for information about or extended care options or nearby facilities that offer full-time care. Transportation to and from our facility can be arranged from these facilities.

We also offer a Saturday program. This option is very popular with parents who are not able to arrange to pick up and drop off during the week.

What happens if my child has to isolate at home?

In the case of just your child isolating at home and not the rest of the class, we will do our best to supply you with a home package along with lesson plans and activities for your child to complete at home.

You will also have direct access to the teacher through our classroom app.

If the entire class is mandated to isolate, we will switch to teacher-led virtual classes online to keep the students engaged and the learning going.

Our teacher-led virtual classes have been a huge hit with students and parents. Each Family receives a physical package that is to be used during the online classes. Classes are interactive and keep the students engaged.

Is JumpStart Montessori based?

Yes and No.

Parents beware, there is no Montessori ‘standard’ to follow. A program labelled as Montessori can mean your children just play with toys all day, but meet the vague criteria listed below. It is up to parents to ensure that the program aligns with their goals for their children as well as their child’s needs.

To answer this question more specifically, it helps first to know who or what Montessori is:

Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori in 1897 based on her extensive research with “phrenasthenic” children and characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development. Although a range of practices exist under the name “Montessori”, the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS) cite these elements as essential:

  • Mixed age classrooms, with classrooms for children ages 2½ or 3 to 6 years old are by far the most common
  • Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options
  • Uninterrupted blocks of work time, ideally three hours
  • A “discovery” model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction
  • Specialized educational materials developed by Montessori and her collaborators
  • Freedom of movement within the classroom
  • A trained Montessori teacher

The JumpStart Program contains elements of Montessori but excludes others. The Montessori approach is 120 years old and there have been many advancements in research and methodology in regards to early childhood education. The public education curriculum has also evolved over time. Our goal is to prepare your child for their formal education, giving them the skills and abilities needed for success.

Our program includes best practices of many other approaches coming from the latest and most up to date research from universities and private researchers around the world. A major difference is that our classes are structured and sizes are kept small with children of similar age and development. A class of 30 students with varying ages definitely does not produce the desired goal of our program.

There are many other researchers that have either built upon or developed other approaches that work just as well or even better than the Montessori approach. We strive to constantly update our program to include the best approaches that work.

Our program combines all this research and incorporates the actual Alberta Education Curriculum into a comprehensive, high quality educational experience. We don’t restrict ourselves to any one of way of providing Early Childhood Education.

Is my child ready for the JumpStart Program?

We require children to be:

2 years old at the time of  starting the program for our Discovery Program (Parented Class)

3 years old by December 31st for our Prep Program (Solo Preschool Program).

We require children to be 4 years old by December 31st for our Scholars Program (Solo Preschool Program).

We require children to be at least 3 years old at the time of attending our Summer Program.

 

There are some exceptions we can grant, contact us to evaluate your situation.

When should I begin the Program?

Starting our solo preschool program the year your child turns 3 or even our Discovery Program when your child turns 2 will deliver the best results. This means starting off in either in our Prep Program followed by our Scholars Program.

Some may believe that a 3-year-old child is too young to learn, but this is actually an ideal time to start. What your child learns, depends greatly on how the material is presented to them. Your child’s mind is like a sponge at this age and can soak up information at a very high rate. Our highly qualified and experienced staff use research-based approaches to deliver highly effective programming. As long as the content is being delivered in a fun and structured way, your child will learn a great deal. Children act much differently in a classroom setting than at home. They begin Kindergarten with confidence and skills which allow them to excel and stay ahead of the curve.

What are the benefits of a Junior Kindergarten Class?
When children begin Kindergarten, they are often overwhelmed by their surroundings, the number of children in the classroom, school expectations and being away from their parents. By providing children with an opportunity to experience classroom like surroundings and expectations before they enter school, they are better able to adjust and are more confident in their learning abilities. They also learn how to socialize with their same-age peers making a much easier and more successful adjustment to Kindergarten or the 1st Grade.
Why choose JumpStart?

We have a specific Junior Kindergarten curriculum which teaches children the main concepts taught in Kindergarten, therefore better preparing them for their first year of schooling. Our curriculum and assessments are structured, but the activities are always creative, fun, and hands-on. With small class sizes children will receive one-on-one instructional time and individualized programming to best meet their needs. Many preschools do not have a coherent and sequenced curriculum, but rather a set of beliefs on how children learn.

Will JumpStart prepare my child for the Cogito Program?

The Cogito Program is the fastest growing program in the Edmonton Public School system. It requires your child to pass an entrance exam before they are accepted into the program. Everything on the Kindergarten exam is part of the JumpStart curriculum. 100% of our students who applied for the program have been accepted.

Cogito is just another approach to learning, it may or may not be best suited for your child’s individual learning style. We do not promote one program over another. Contact us to set up a consultation and we can provide you with more in-depth information.

What are your class sizes and ratios?

Our class sizes vary by location but are about 12-14 children per class.
This is a very important factor to look for when searching for a program for your child. Due to children at this age having a very short attention span, they are very easily distracted. Quality One-on-One time with ALL children, and not just those that are struggling, means that every child can reach their potential.
For example, having a classroom with 12 children with 1 teacher is much more effective than a classroom with 24 children and 2 teachers as there are fewer distractions in the classroom. This is one of our core philosophies.

Our standard setup is 2 staff for a class of 12 students.

How much are the fees?

Our Tuition Fees vary by location and class frequency. For the full fee guide, just request our free info package that will include this info @ www.jumpstartlearning.ca/register and select the ‘information package’ option.

Tuition Fees also differ as a result of direct government grants and subsidies parents qualify for.  There is also a one-time registration fee that covers the cost of registration and all your supplies and materials.

We recommend that you come in to meet with our teacher(s) to get a better sense of our program. We have a very unique program created by Sharon Minhas. She has earned her Masters in Education from the University of Alberta and has been with the Edmonton Public School District for over 10 years. She’s excelled in many roles including as a Kindergarten Teacher, Grade 1 Teacher and now as an English Language Learning Consultant.

Sharon is one of those teachers where parents in the community wanted to place their children in her class. Her colleagues in the next grade level always knew which students came from her class. She has taken her unique teaching approach and combined it with the best research-based practices. Our Jr. Kindergarten program is the only Preschool program with a curriculum that aligns with the Alberta Curriculum and allows your child to stay ahead of the curve during those critical first years of formal schooling.

You can read more about our story here

Are parents required to volunteer?

Parents are NOT required to volunteer. Other preschools require parents to volunteer in order achieve there teacher/child ratios. We have sufficient staff and do not require parents to fill this need.

We do offer opportunites for parents to volunteer if they choose to do so. These opportunites occur throughout the year and will be outlined in the monthy newsletters.

How will my child's progress be reported to me?

Bi-monthly progress reports will be sent home to parents indicating which skills have been mastered and which skills we continue to work on. The progress report is based on the current Kindergarten Curriculum. This allows parents to be updated on their child’s progress regularly as well as providing parents with suggestions on what to work on at home to help their child succeed. Portfolios will also be kept to document learning through photos, artwork, and examples of student work. These portfolios are yours to keep when your child graduates!

How much time do parents need to commit to the program?

Parents are NOT required to sign up for volunteer hours or fundraising events. Many other preschools and early education programs do require this.

However, we do provide volunteering opportunities!

What are the differences between the Scholars I, II, III, and V?

The difference in the Scholars I, II, III, and V programs is the frequency of days you attend. Each frequency has it’s own tailored lesson plans.  The more days the better, so Scholars V would be the most effective.

We like to give the analogy of going to the gym, the more frequently you go, the better the results, however, going 1-2 times per week is still effective.

Our standard program is the Scholars III option. With the I, II, V, we add/remove:

  • lesson plans/activities that are designed to reinforce concepts
  • amount of one-on-one time with your child

It ultimately depends on what can work with your schedule and the financial investment you are comfortable with.

Do you provide snacks?

No, we do not provide snacks. We ask that Parents supply a snack. We allocate 10-15 min per day for snacks. For snack guidelines, see our Parent Handbook here

Is there outdoor play time?

We do not offer outdoor playtime. Students do go outside for curriculum related purchases like a nature walk or science experiment. Our program is only part-time and we concentrate on our core competencies. The students have the rest of the day to develop their gross motor skills in other activities!

We speak a language other than English at home. How will this Program support my child to learn English?

This program is perfect for these types of students and is very highly recommended.

Research has found that when children are first exposed to an English speaking classroom, they go through a silent phase where they just observe. This phase can last anywhere from a few days to a few months depending on their level of comfort. By enrolling your child in JumpStart, he/she will be exposed to a small intimate English-speaking classroom environment. This exposure will provide him/her with the opportunity to feel comfortable in a shorter amount of time. This will aid your child to learn key English words at a quicker pace, providing a smoother transition into the Kindergarten classroom and school environment. Please note that continuing to speak the native language at home is highly recommend as your child learns English at school. Research suggests maintaining your native language in the home as children have the ability to learn many languages fluently in the early years of their education.

Please call or email us and we can discuss the best approach for your child in more detail.

Call 587-524-1065

Copyright © 2019 JumpStart Learning Centre
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