Our HISTORY

In the early 1990s, teachers noticed that children in poverty entered kindergarten or grade one without certain social, language, and learning skills. Sometimes their educational opportunities were minimal, their health jeopardized, and their self esteem low. As a result, these students were behind before they got started.

In 1991, four fully-funded preschools were formed at King George, Pleasant Hill, Princess Alexandra, and Westmount Community Schools. Funding came from the province, service clubs, professional associations, churches, and individuals. Currently, Saskatchewan Learning funds prekindergartens in 17 Saskatoon Community Schools.

The Saskatoon Inner City Preschool Foundation was created in 1994.

The fact that certain families have difficulty accessing preschool is evident in all parts of the city. Thus the basis for a name change to the Saskatoon Preschool Foundation in 1998.

The Foundation reached it's 10^th anniversary in 2004.

Although not involved in their operations, the Foundation works in cooperation with approximately 90 preschool-type organizations in Saskatoon and area.

Good preschool programs promote learning and development . . .

• Through hands-on experiences, reading stories aloud, and encouraging children to talk about their ideas
• By learning to work together and respecting one another
• Developing larger muscles and fine-motor coordination through play
• By improving language skills in listening to and speaking with other children and adults.