12 Best Nursery Schools in Calgary [2023]

Calgary parents are fortunate because the city has many good nursery schools. On the other hand, with so many options available, deciding which one is best for your child can be difficult.

Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best nursery schools in Calgary that we consider to be at the forefront of their field. See how we rated each one after our investigations!

The Best Nursery Schools in Calgary

Let’s go over the criteria we used to evaluate each entry:

Class – A nursery school must provide a good curriculum that facilitates early childhood development goals and sets the stage for further learning, both in and out of school. 

Facilities – A nursery school must have a child-friendly place that has age-appropriate equipment and resources. Safety and hygiene are big considerations!

Teachers – A nursery school must be one that hires qualified teachers that have extensive knowledge and training when it comes to early child development.

Rates – A nursery school must have either a reasonable pricing system or good value for money. We also checked if there are various payment options for the schools, as this is a major point of convenience for parents.

1. Kids @ Play Preschool

Class/Curriculum	5/5
Child-friendly facilities	5/5
Qualified teachers	4.8/5
Reasonable rates	4.6/5

We like that Kids at Play Preschool is holistic in its approach, considering the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual needs of children. They also provide a safe and nurturing environment, which is typically what we seek in a nursery school.

Play is crucial in a child’s development, and we appreciate their ability to incorporate it while learning. In fact, they provide learning opportunities that emphasize play time as a way for children to hone their critical thinking skills.

This preschool is also convenient because its programs extend beyond pre-kindergarten and into junior kindergarten. Both are closely aligned with the Alberta Kindergarten curriculum, so your child will have solid foundations for future learning with these programs.

Kids@Play also provides ESL for children who are new to Canada or learning English as a second language. They’re renowned for this program, actually.

From what we’ve seen, children in the ESL program will be assigned an assistant for learning. They work in small groups, which we always prefer (it often means better individual attention).

As for their fees, they sit fairly close to the average here in Calgary. We polled other parents to get more opinions and the majority agreed that they charge reasonable rates.

Overall, we think Kids at Play Preschool serves as a secure space where your kids can freely learn through organized methods. 

Just note that their classes tend to fill up rather quickly, so getting your registration form early will give you better odds of getting the class time you want.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Caring staff and great environment

“Excellent preschool. Both our daughter and son have attended and really enjoyed their experience. Kind and caring staff and a great learning environment.” – Candace DiGiacomo

Professional and friendly teachers

“My son loves Kids@Play Preschool. He always looks forward to going to school and tells us how much fun he has when he is in class. The environment is both educational and fun, and the teachers are professional and friendly.” – Courtney Fatima Amery

2. Highland Park Preschool

Class/Curriculum	4.7/5
Child-friendly facilities	4/5
Qualified teachers	4.9/5
Reasonable rates	5/5

On a typical day at Highland Park Preschool, children can be seen painting, dressing up, playing instruments, and experimenting with basic science concepts. This variety of activities awaits your children if they enroll in this preschool.

We believe that the activities they offer are excellent for early development, speech, social skills, fine motor skills, and many other areas. Aside from those, their programs include circle time, gym time, and of course, snack time.

You should also be aware that the nursery has access to a variety of spaces within its community center. This includes access to an indoor gym as well as an outdoor field, which is ideal for enhancing the physical education component of their programs.

If we’re being honest, Highland Park Preschool has low tuition fees of $140 per month for a twice-weekly class and $180 for a thrice-weekly class. It’s less expensive than most of the other preschools in town, at least the ones of this caliber.

Additionally, we understand how important it is for nursery students to have a variety of unique learning opportunities, and they do not disappoint. In fact, they provide access to the Calgary Library as well as Mad Science.

Finally, we like that they try to have parent volunteers in each session alongside the teachers to help them engage with their children. It allows parents to be involved in the school by assisting with the day-to-day operations of the preschool, which we approve of.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Very purposeful programming

This is a fantastic preschool! The teachers are warm and engaging, with very purposeful programming built around themes that are loads of fun for the kids. The newly renovated classroom is a nice bright space, and the outdoor play area is a big bonus. The preschool has also provided a great way to meet other young families in the neighborhood. It is a great addition to our community! – Stephen Wright

3. Glendale Community Preschool

Class/Curriculum	4/5
Child-friendly facilities	5/5
Qualified teachers	4/5
Reasonable rates	5/5

Glendale Community Preschool is a modestly sized, reasonably priced nursery school in Calgary that doesn’t sacrifice quality. The big draw here is that every child under their care is guided by caring and responsive teachers, in our opinion.

This nursery offers a play-based program that allows children to socialize, prepare for school, and simply have fun. To give you an idea of what they do each day, children partake in play provocations, fun centers, and daily circle time.

Aside from the type of education they provide, we find it very interesting that they are situated in the middle of a lovely park. This means that regular outdoor exploration and play await their students.

The indoor facilities themselves aren’t among the largest we saw. However, despite their modest size, they’re clean and well-appointed, as you can see from their virtual tour.

As mentioned, Glendale has a reasonably priced tuition fee. Their three-year-old program costs $180 per month, while their four-year-old program costs $210 per month.

Overall, we find this rate quite reasonable when compared to other private nursery schools.

Registration for the following school year is also available on their website, which is very convenient for all parents. It’s just that their website frequently experiences technical difficulties – but aside from that, it can be quite useful.

On another note, we see Glendale having only one (main) teacher as a drawback, even if they have a couple of teaching assistants to help. 

But, from what we’ve seen and had confirmed by other parents, this one teacher is very enthusiastic about providing early learning opportunities and is very child-friendly.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Affordable and lots of opportunity

A hidden gem. Beautiful building surrounded by green space with a nearby playground. My son is in love with both of his teachers. Affordable and lots of opportunity for parent involvement. – Amber Dennison

Hands on and attentive

Such a lovely little preschool, great location, great teachers! My kids love the teachers, they are very hands on and attentive to each child’s individual needs. Having the green space around the community center is a huge asset to the kids who get to play games and do outdoor activities whenever the weather permits. Highly recommend it!! – Kerri Ledene Campbell

4. 2000 Days Daycare

Class/Curriculum	4.5/5
Child-friendly facilities	5/5
Qualified teachers	4/5
Reasonable rates	4/5

2000 Days Daycare focuses on the significance of the first 2,000 days from the time your children are born until they enter kindergarten. 

One thing is certain about them – they ensure that each of their students receives adequate attention based on their class size. They ensure this by keeping class sizes small in all of their classes, with a 1 to 8 ratio in place.

As we’ve already stated, this is usually preferred, as it means more attention for each child… and extra attention equals a higher-quality education or experience. 

The preschool also has one-year-old learners who are spoiled with many activities. This one is especially important to us because not all nursery schools in the city provide as many activities for children of this age.

Additionally, parents we talked to commended them for having passionate teachers. According to their comments, they don’t only let them play but also make sure that each child will learn key educational concepts and develop their social skills.

If we look closely, the only flaw is that they don’t publish their fees on their website, which is an important factor for us – parents want data at their convenience! Regardless, their website is jam-packed with other useful information, such as booking a tour and checking their waitlist.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Best daycare in the area

Probably the best daycare in the area. My husband and I had searched quite a few daycares and finally settled with 2000 Days. We loved the vibe and everything about it was good. Our daughter is a picky eater and the chef there makes some amazing food that she wants to eat. We get a lot of communication and pictures of our little one. Marlene is great, thank you so much. – Sherlock Kazuko

Loves being around the kids

Everyone at 2000 days is just fabulous. Our children love going there again and again. We have noticed a big improvement in the basics and their social skills. Ms. Campbell is just an amazing teacher and really loves being around the kids. Would highly recommend it to all the parents. – Donald Bumgardner

5. Grey Matter Montessori

Class/Curriculum	5/5
Child-friendly facilities	4.5/5
Qualified teachers	4.5/5
Reasonable rates	3/5

Grey Matter Montessori is an ideal choice if you want your kid to experience an international education. Their programs are aligned with the International Preschool Curriculum.

Since they are required to follow IPC standards, parents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their children will learn from accredited and professional teachers. The nursery provides a secure learning environment through their careful selection of teachers, which we like.

In fact, after talking to other parents, we found out that they’re the reason Grey Matter was recommended to us so often. 

They are highly-trained, Montessori-certified teachers who use innovative methods to help children develop critical thinking skills and a strong sense of independence.

They’re supported by nice, clean facilities. We thought their space quite comfortable during our visit – you can see them even through the virtual tour. 

However, we don’t believe that this preschool is appropriate for every family, particularly those on a tight budget. As much as we like the quality of their nursery, we think $469 per month for a twice-weekly class is a little steep.

But the good news is that they accept childcare subsidies: you can get up to $75 off of the monthly preschool tuition if you qualify. If you ever want to enroll your child at this preschool, though, you should know that payment is non-refundable.

All in all, Grey Matter Montessori truly provides excellence in early education, with summer camps that help engage children in a whole new world of learning. It’s just that their tuition fees are extremely high in our opinion.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Amazing staff

My son has really enjoyed his time at Grey Matter. The staff are amazing, they work closely with your child and make the best experience for both child and parents. We would highly recommend this school to all our family and friends. – Rukhsana Merali

Responds in a timely manner

Grey Matter Montessori is a great school and we are glad that our daughter went there. She was a very shy girl when she started a year ago and at the end she is very much different and she loved all the teachers at the school. All teachers are very caring and the directors respond to inquiries in a timely manner, they provide great support for my daughter’s development. She just graduated and she already misses all the teachers and her friends. Thank you for everything you guys did. – Lisa & Toddye

6. A Child’s Garden Preschool

Class/Curriculum	5/5
Child-friendly facilities	4/5
Qualified teachers	5/5
Reasonable rates	3/5

A Child’s Garden Preschool has established itself as one of Calgary’s most exemplary nursery schools over the last 30 years. If you’re still not convinced, consider that their teachers have over 75 years of combined experience, which speaks volumes about their caliber.

What distinguishes them from other nurseries is their provision of early intervention services for speech and/or language delays, ESL, and more. All of this comes at no extra cost, which is a natural delight to us.

Of course, parents can still rely on them for usual nursery activities such as outdoor play, arts and crafts, sleeping, exercises, and so on. This demonstrates the effectiveness of their curriculum, which balances high-energy activities with quiet periods.

Another thing that appeals to us is how they’re big on birthdays.  The school is very accommodating in celebrating their students’ birthdays and they’re open to collaborating with their parents to set up parties.

The only flaw we could find is that they’re limited in accepting students, which is a major issue given how popular they are in the community. They only have two classrooms, each of which can accommodate only twenty students.

But other than that, we see their high in-demand as a positive reflection of the quality of their early education programs. 

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Loving and fun atmosphere

Great teachers. Beautiful classrooms. Long term teachers provide high quality programs in a loving and fun atmosphere. Highly recommend it. – Steve Phillips

Kind and experienced teachers

Very friendly manager,kind and experienced teachers,they welcome parents with any help they need.highly recommended. – Shiva Dayyani

7. Edelweiss Preparatory School

Class/Curriculum	4/5
Child-friendly facilities	3.8/5
Qualified teachers	4.5/5
Reasonable rates	4/5

Edelweiss Preparatory School lives up to its name by instilling a love of learning its students from an early age. They’ve been doing it for over 35 years, which explains why they have a good reputation in town.

They also have junior kindergarten and kindergarten programs besides the preparatory. So, having your child enrolled in this school for early child development can also come in handy to fully prepare them for more structured learning.

All of their programs are a blend of open-ended STEAM learning opportunities, which is why their students can get to explore engaging discovery centers and group activities. As a matter of fact, each week they engage students in a fun, hands-on science experiment. 

We appreciate that kids are not only confined to classrooms but are also given opportunities to participate in school field trips. What makes this even better is that their parents can also come along with them.

They also only hire diploma-holding teachers who have specialized in early childhood education – it goes without saying that they provide high-quality instruction. Additionally, they all keep their knowledge up to date by attending workshops and conferences in the field.

Lastly, they charge fairly reasonable fees, though expenses can quickly increase because uniforms and shoes are required. However, the welcome package distributed at the start of each school year redeems this shortcoming.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Fantastic staff and thoughtful programming

Both of my kids went to Edelweiss Prep and it was such a great experience! From the fantastic staff to the thoughtful programming (special thanks to Captain Science!) Margaret and Walter’s passion for Early Childhood Education truly shines through in every detail. – Danielle Mossfeldt

Great teaching philosophy 

We now have our second child in Edelweiss and love it. The school is phenomenal: great teaching philosophy and amazing staff who clearly care a lot about the kids and the school. Incredibly well managed and organised, both of our kids loved it and thrived there. – Tim Cora

8. University Heights Preschool

Class/Curriculum	4/5
Child-friendly facilities	4/5
Qualified teachers	5/5
Reasonable rates	3/5

University Heights Preschool offers two-day and three-day programs that last three hours, giving children enough time to play. Their facility has a structured environment, which we’re confident will allow their students to reach their full potential.

Talking about that, they have daily access to the school’s gym where children can become acquainted with various sports. 

What if they’re inside the classroom instead? Then students are gently introduced to things like the concept of table work, practicing simple pre-printing skills.

Children are also engaged in crafts to improve their fine motor skills as well as small group activities to improve their language skills. 

With all of this, it’s no surprise that so many of the parents we talked to said they were thrilled with the school and their children enjoyed the program.

However, we were displeased with their lack of response to our inquiries when we personally contacted them. This is not something we would expect from a reputable early childhood education school like theirs.

That one sour grape aside, we can’t deny that they’re among the finest in the city, providing optimum learning for children. In this regard, we especially appreciate that they have small class sizes to provide adequate attention to their students.

It’s no wonder they’re deemed one of Calgary’s best nursery schools. There were minor flaws like poor communication, but they did not, in our opinion, detract from their overall quality. 

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Many great activities

My son loves his preschool.  He’s made many new friends and has lots of opportunity to play and learn.  They have many great activities like crafts, music, reading, gym class, free play, learning circle, opportunities to speak in front of the class, etc.  It’s been a great way to prep him with the skills that will help him succeed in kindergarten and beyond. – Melissa V

Engaging program

Both my sons have attended University Heights Preschool located in Montgomery, NW Calgary.  They offer an engaging program that involves music, art, structured and unstructured play and learning opportunities. The staff is attentive and very committed to the children that attend. – Rachel T

9. JSKL Kids R Fun Daycare

Class/Curriculum	5/5
Child-friendly facilities	4/5
Qualified teachers	3/5
Reasonable rates	4/5

One of the best things about JSKL Kids R Fun Daycare is that it offers just about the full range of programs you need before your child is old enough to enter elementary school. They offer infant care, for example, and all succeeding programs until your child is 6 years old.

This can be pretty convenient if you’d like to keep your child in a single institution from 12 months to right-before-elementary. It promotes a sense of familiarity and security where the child can develop comfortably.

Anyway, there’s a lot to like about JSKL aside from that. For example, it provides a healthy and loving environment for children in various ways, such as with an outdoor playground that has age-appropriate toys.

The school is also conveniently located in the heart of Calgary’s downtown area. This means that their facility is fairly accessible to parents, though it still depends on the mode of transportation.

Moreover, they’re one of the largest and most established childcare facilities in the area. They’ve been fully accredited as a childcare facility since 2016, so their students will certainly receive the high standards for child care.

The only negative comment we’ve found is their frequently slow response to registration inquiries. We are even more disappointed that, unlike some nurseries these days, registration is not available on their website.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Above and beyond

Extremely professional, friendly, and accommodating place. This daycare has always gone above and beyond with their services. The staff is outstanding, and it is the perfect daycare for any child. My son started in September and I was worried how long will he take to settle down but it took just 2 days for him being settled and happy, now he doesn’t wanted to miss a single day extremely happy. I highly recommend this location…. – Sucheta Arora

Well trained people

Moving to a new place is a huge challenge for any person. But I’m glad I found this daycare facility for my child . It gives me a sense of relief when I send him off to his daycare because I know there are well trained people who’ll take care of him also I can see a huge difference in his personality from the time we moved here. It’s a great place – Areej Aslam

10. Early Discoveries Nursery School

Class/Curriculum	4/5
Child-friendly facilities	3.8/5
Qualified teachers	4/5
Reasonable rates	3/5

We believe that Early Discoveries is one of Calgary’s best nursery schools because it is run by licensed teachers. Knowing this, it’s easy to believe them when they say that they can provide a well-rounded education.

Well, their teachers are all qualified to provide first aid if necessary, in addition to teaching skills. This earned them extra points from us because we believe that nursery schools should be safe for children at all times.

In terms of learning, we like that they’re very straightforward when it comes to setting goals for their students. They’re transparent as to what kinds of developmental skills they are focusing on teaching (social and emotional, intellectual, and motor).

On top of that, we’ve heard that they’re very good at getting the kids to participate in the activities they set up. Actually, the school ensures that each class has a teacher and a teacher’s aide so that children can easily interact.

In terms of tuition, we consider their rates to be average, ranging from reasonable to slightly pricey. A one-day-per-week class will cost about $130 every month, plus a registration fee of about $125.

Finally, Early Discoveries’ guidelines appear to be somewhat tightly regulated, which we find understandable. It’s a good thing they have a parent handbook available on their website as an accessible reference.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Opportunities for leadership

My daughter loves going here! They offer a variety of age appropriate activities and opportunities for leadership within the class. My daughter has attended both the 3 and 4 year old classes and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these programs to anyone! – Keri Harasym

Inclusive and welcoming school

Such a amazing preschool. The teachers made such a impact on my daughter both academically and socially. Inclusive and welcoming school. Highly recommend! – Tina De Jong

11. The Think Sun Preschool Academy

Class/Curriculum	4/5
Child-friendly facilities	4/5
Qualified teachers	3/5
Reasonable rates	3/5

The Think Sun Preschool Academy is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a nursery with experience as well as improved and energizing learning methods. They have been in the education field for nearly 32 years and are a licensed private school.

They focus on art and music, too, so consider the Think Sun if you want your child to have a better opportunity in the creative industry. 

At this place, parents are welcome to visit their child in class and are even required to provide healthy snacks for snack time. We believe that with parental involvement, students will learn more easily, so we appreciate that they allow it.

They also value playtime, which is why they have a playroom for learners. It has a lot of cool toys and playing activities to enjoy, plus they incorporate science, technology, and math during playtime in creative ways.

Unfortunately, we don’t consider them to be budget-friendly, as their monthly tuition fees range from $303 to $390. This does not include the one-time registration fee of $100, so it should be clear that they’re not cheap at all.

However, most parents mentioned that they get what they pay for, which is why, despite being an expensive nursery, we believe it’s worthwhile. After all, it’s no secret that good education can be really costly at times.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

A program that sets up their students for success

If you are looking for the best preschool in the city, you have found it. Maureen and Jane have dedicated their lives to early childhood education and provide a program that sets up their students for success, not only in kindergarten but their entire school career. I have watched my son flourish here, engaged in learning, building strong tools through the art and music program but also through play. I cannot say enough how fantastic this school is. A friend of mine is a speech therapist and she works with multiple schools in the SW Calgary area and she and her colleagues have told me that they wish every school was like Think Sun. – modern photography

12. Apple Tree Preschool

Class/Curriculum	4/5
Child-friendly facilities	4/5
Qualified teachers	4/5
Reasonable rates	2/5

As one of the best nursery schools in Calgary, Apple Tree Preschool strives to give each child the opportunity to learn, grow, problem solve, and think critically. They accomplish this by presenting positive and manageable challenges to their students.

They believe that managed play is important for brain development, so knowing that they include fun yet enriching playtime is a big deal for us. They actually impressed us with their well-designed play areas inspired by locations such as hospitals, pizza parlors, and castles.

We also discovered that Apple Tree assists families by collaborating with TRAIL Kids to provide early child support and services. This is extremely beneficial, especially since it is government-funded assistance.

Furthermore, we’re delighted that they provide free ESL support to eligible children who are new to Canada or learning English as a second language. It’s not something that every early childhood education school offers, so this is a big plus.

Their family feedback was also looking positive, so we believe there’s nothing much to be worried about in terms of service quality. Reviews also show that they’re quick to respond to whatever inquiries they receive.

In general, given its respectable reputation in the field of early childhood development education, Apple Tree Preschool truly deserves a spot on our list. There were minor flaws, mostly in the enrollment processes, but they passed all of the criteria we were looking for.

Customer Reviews (Click to expand)

Excellent staff support

My son, usually shy and reserved, has been smiling at drop off and pick up since day 1 of attending Apple Tree. His first language is not English, and the staff and supports have been excellent, striking a balance of both  encouragement and patience with him to speak and participate.  Can not say enough positive about this place and am super sad to be leaving for kindergarten. – Susanne Czentye

Bright and clean classrooms

Both my children attended Appletree Preschool and loved every minute of it. The staff was fantastic. The classrooms are bright and clean with modern, educational and imagination based toys. Would highly recommend this top of the line school to prepare your child for Kindergarten and learn valuable social skills. – Laurie Lyons

Quick Comparison of the Best Nursery Schools in Calgary

FAQS About Nursery Schools in Calgary