Kindergarten in Calgary
Public kindergarten in Calgary has no tuition, but most programs run half days or full days on alternating days. Private kindergarten charges tuition and can offer more time and a specific approach. At Grey Matter Montessori, that means a full school day every weekday, year-round, in a Montessori classroom with low student-to-teacher ratios. The right choice depends on your schedule, your child and your budget. This guide compares both side by side so you can decide with confidence.
Full-day kindergarten runs at both our NW Calgary and NE Calgary campuses, with full-day tuition starting at $326.25/month after the Alberta Affordability Grant.*
*For eligible families. Rates may vary by age, program and funding eligibility. See Tuition & Fees.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Both are good options. They are built differently, and the difference shows up most in schedule, class time and cost.
| Typical Calgary public kindergarten | Grey Matter Montessori kindergarten | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No tuition for the basic program. School, supply or bussing fees may apply. | Full-day tuition from $326.25/month after the Alberta Affordability Grant.* |
| Daily schedule | Most schools run half-day (morning or afternoon) or alternating full days, such as Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday plus alternating Fridays. | Full day, every weekday. 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in NW Calgary, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM in NE Calgary. |
| Instruction time | Alberta requires a minimum of 475 hours a year, which is roughly half the time of a full school year. | A full school day of Montessori learning, enrichment and outdoor play, including at nearby outdoor spaces, every weekday. |
| Calendar | September to June. | Year-round, September through August. |
| Approach | Alberta kindergarten program, taught by certified teachers. Class sizes vary by school. | Hands-on Montessori curriculum, certified Montessori teachers and low student-to-teacher ratios. |
| Before & after care | Arranged separately, often with a second provider. | Built into the day. One drop-off, one pickup, no midday handoff. |
| Enrichment | Varies by school. | Optional Chess & Math, S.T.E.A.M., Culinary Arts, Music, Sports & Martial Arts. |
| Getting a spot | Registration opens in January. Placement is based on your home address, and some programs use a lottery. | Enrol directly with us. Spaces are limited and we are now enrolling for Fall 2027. |
Public kindergarten details vary by school and change from year to year. Always check your designated school for its current kindergarten format. *For eligible families; rates may vary by age, program and funding eligibility. See Tuition & Fees.
In Alberta, kindergarten is funded for a minimum of 475 hours a year, so most Calgary Board of Education schools offer half-day or alternating-day programs. Only a short list of public schools offers full-day kindergarten, and that list is reviewed every year.
A full Montessori day changes what a five-year-old can do. Children have long, uninterrupted work periods to practise reading, writing and math with hands-on materials, plus time for rest, enrichment and outdoor play, including at nearby outdoor spaces. Skills get repeated every day instead of every other day, and that consistency is where confidence and independence grow.
The Cost Question
Public kindergarten has no tuition, so it is a fair question. For many working families, the real comparison is not free versus tuition. It is half-day kindergarten plus childcare for the rest of the day, versus one full-day program that covers both.
Our childcare funding page explains how the Alberta Affordability Grant works for Calgary families. Rates shown on our Tuition & Fees page already reflect the grant for eligible families.
This school is really worth every cent. I not only see a difference in my daughter’s ability with words, and reading, but also in her confidence.
As a nervous mom with a shy child I felt she was in the right environment… [her teachers] academically helped my daughter surpass my expectations.
Finding the Right Fit
There is no single right answer. Here is an honest look at when each option tends to work best.
Looking Ahead
Kindergarten is optional in Alberta, and Grade 1 is where compulsory schooling begins. Children who attend a private Montessori kindergarten move on to Grade 1 at the school their family chooses.
Many Grey Matter graduates continue into public, charter and language immersion programs with strong academic and social foundations already in place: early literacy and numeracy, focus, independence and confidence in a classroom.
Moving to public school for Grade 1? Register with your school board during its registration window in the year before Grade 1 starts.
After our older daughter graduated and transitioned to public school for Kindergarten, we really noticed the difference that the personalized care and attention at Grey Matter Montessori had provided.
He learned a lot from letters to maths… I would highly recommend this place for parents that are looking for preschool and kindergarten for their child.
I would strongly recommend this Montessori Preschool/Kindergarten to family and friends… We are truly proud that our daughter attends Grey Matter Montessori because of her development academically and socially.
To start kindergarten with the CBE in a given September, a child must turn five on or before December 31 of that year.
Two Calgary Campuses
For more than 15 years, Grey Matter Montessori has helped Calgary families build a strong start, with calm classrooms, certified Montessori teachers and low student-to-teacher ratios.
Full-day Montessori preschool and kindergarten for ages 3 to 6, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Serving Evanston, Sage Hill, Nolan Hill, Kincora, Panorama Hills, Livingston, Carrington and Airdrie.
We had an excellent experience at Grey Matter, my son loved his teachers both years. All of the staff were fantastic and the curriculum and routines they have really helped my son’s growth and confidence. Highly recommend!
Montessori daycare, preschool and kindergarten from 19 months to 6 years, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Serving Saddle Ridge, Skyview Ranch, Cornerstone, Redstone, Taradale and nearby communities.
The speech and communication support offered here is impressive, and the overall quality of education is outstanding… I would definitely recommend Grey Matter Montessori to families looking for a high-quality Montessori program in the northeast.
Parent Questions
No. Kindergarten is optional in Alberta, and compulsory schooling begins in Grade 1. Most families still choose kindergarten because it builds the early literacy, numeracy and social skills children use in Grade 1.
Usually not every day. Alberta funds a minimum of 475 hours of kindergarten a year, so most Calgary Board of Education schools offer half-day or alternating full-day programs. A small number of public schools offer full-day kindergarten, and that list is reviewed every year.
It varies by school and program. At Grey Matter Montessori, full-day tuition starts at $326.25 per month after the Alberta Affordability Grant for eligible families, plus a one-time $500 registration fee and a last-month deposit. See our Tuition & Fees page for current rates.
Public kindergarten has no tuition and typically runs half days or alternating full days from September to June. Private kindergarten charges tuition and can offer more: at Grey Matter Montessori that means a full day every weekday, year-round programming, a Montessori curriculum and low student-to-teacher ratios.
Yes. Children who attend a private Montessori kindergarten can enter Grade 1 at a public, Catholic, charter or language immersion school. Many Grey Matter graduates do exactly that. Register with your school board during its registration window the year before Grade 1.
With the Calgary Board of Education, a child can start kindergarten in September if they turn five on or before December 31 of that year. Contact our team to confirm the right program for your child’s age.
Yes. Full-day Montessori kindergarten is offered at both campuses. The NW Calgary campus runs 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for ages 3 to 6, and the NE Calgary campus runs 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM and also offers daycare from 19 months.
Start touring in the fall and winter before your child starts. Public school board registration typically opens in January, and private programs like ours have limited spaces that fill ahead of September.
Explore our Calgary Montessori preschool and daycare locations and discover why families across NW and NE Calgary trust Grey Matter Montessori for nurturing care, academic excellence, and meaningful early childhood education.
Call us at 587-707-4739 or fill out the form below.
Grey Matter Montessori gives Calgary children a strong start through hands-on learning, thoughtful guidance, and a full Montessori program. In a welcoming environment, children build independence, confidence, social skills, and a genuine love of learning. Parents choose Grey Matter for an education that prepares their child for school and helps them grow beyond it. Preschool & Kindergarten, Montessori Calgary.
