You need full-time childcare. Your child needs to be ready for kindergarten. And you are probably feeling guilty about both. This guide helps you make the decision without guilt.
“Research shows that 80% of children in full-day preschool programs score at or above national norms for school readiness, compared to only 58% of children in half-day programs.”
The waitlists in Leduc and Edmonton are getting longer.“Alberta’s new $15-per-day policy starts April 2025.” (Source) Kindergarten screening tests are now mandatory. Your job is to choose the right program—and to choose it fast. This article explains what you need to know.
Why This Decision Is Urgent (And Why Now)
- The Leduc Waitlist Crisis
Families in Leduc and Edmonton are facing a real problem: daycare waitlists are averaging 12 to 18 months or longer. By the time your name reaches the top of the list, your child could miss an entire year of development. Licensed childcare programs are filling quickly. Most are not expanding fast enough to meet demand.
- Alberta’s $15-Per-Day Game-Changer (April 2025)
“Starting April 1, 2025, families will pay $15 per day for full-time licensed childcare. That equals roughly $326 per month.” (Source) Previously, families paid $1,200 or more per month. This policy change opens doors for families who could not afford childcare before. If cost has held you back, that barrier disappears in April.
- Kindergarten Screening Tests Are Now Real (January 2025)
Alberta became the first province in Canada to require kindergarten literacy and numeracy screening tests. Your child will be tested on letter name-sound (LeNS), phonological awareness (PAST), and rapid automatized naming (RAN). Full-day preschool programs prepare children for these tests through phonemic awareness activities. Half-day programs simply do not have the time.
Bottom line: waitlists are real, affordability is changing, and kindergarten expectations are higher than ever. You should enroll now, not later.
Full-Day Preschool vs. Half-Day: What The Research Shows
- The 80% Fact
“Research is clear: 80% of children in full-day preschool programs score at or above national norms for kindergarten readiness. Only 58% of half-day students reach that level. This is not a small difference. It is the difference between your child starting kindergarten prepared or playing catch-up.”
- Why Full-Day Works Better
A full-day schedule runs from 7 AM to 6 PM and includes several key components:
- Morning literacy block (30 to 45 minutes): Circle time and phonemic awareness preparation for screening tests
- Guided play sessions (90 minutes or more): Focused skill-building in math, social skills, and independence
- Outdoor learning (45 minutes): Gross motor development and physical activity
- Lunch and social practice (30 minutes): Mealtime skills, conversation, and turn-taking
- Quiet time or nap (90 minutes): Cognitive rest (not a sleep requirement)
- Afternoon activities (90 minutes): Art, science, music, and problem-solving
Half-day programs run 3 to 4 hours. There simply is not time for this level of depth and intentional skill-building.
- Why Working Parents Should Not Feel Guilt
Working parents often experience guilt about full-time childcare. Research tells a different story. Children thrive when their parents are fulfilled in their careers and confident in their childcare arrangements. Parental well-being directly improves child mental health. You are not abandoning your child. You are modeling work ethic and financial responsibility.
What Sets Quality Full-Day Programs Apart: 5 Questions to Ask
When you compare full-day preschool programs in Leduc, ask these five questions. The answers will show you which programs are serious about development.
- Are Your Educators Certified in Early Childhood Education (ECE)?
Alberta allows a maximum ratio of 8 children to 1 educator for children ages 3 to 4. Quality programs maintain lower ratios and hire ECE-certified staff, not high school graduates. Certified educators understand child development stages and literacy progression. This matters.
- How Are You Preparing for Alberta’s New Kindergarten Screening Tests?
Most programs will not have a clear answer to this question. Quality programs have updated their curriculum around LeNS, PAST, and RAN assessments. If a program cannot explain their phonemic awareness approach, move to the next option.
- What Is Your Actual Staff-to-Child Ratio and Turnover Rate?
High staff turnover means inconsistent care. Ask how long your child will have the same primary educator. Consistency matters for child attachment and learning. A child should have the same caregiver throughout the day and across weeks and months.
- Do You Use an App or Daily Reports to Share What My Child Did?
You need visibility into your child’s day. Quality programs use apps or written reports. You should know: “Today we practiced letter sounds, played outside, ate nutritious meals, and learned about patterns.” Vague answers like “had a good day” signal lower accountability.
- How Quickly Can I Enroll? What Is Your Waitlist?
This question filters out programs with impossible timelines. If a program says “2-year wait,” move to the next option. Licensed programs with available spots exist. Your job is finding them.
Full-Day Preschool Programs in Ludec: Cost, Availability, and the $15-Per-Day Shift
- The Old Math (Before April 2025)
- Half-day preschool: $600 to $800 per month
- Additional childcare (nanny or sitter): $700 to $900 per month
- Total: $1,300 to $1,700 per month
- Plus: Scheduling stress, logistics conflicts, and parental guilt
- The New Math (April 1, 2025, Forward)
- Full-day licensed care: $326 per month (under the new $15-per-day policy)
- Alberta subsidy programs: May lower this amount further based on family income
- Total: Approximately $300 to $400 per month for eligible families
- Plus: No gap coverage needed, coordinated curriculum, and professional staff
- The Hidden Cost of Delay
Every month you delay enrollment costs you something real:
- A spot that fills at another program
- One month less of kindergarten preparation
- Continued stress about childcare coverage
Contact licensed full-day preschool programs in Leduc this week. Ask about current availability. Understand your subsidy eligibility. Lock in your enrollment before waitlists grow.
Kindergarten Readiness: What Full-Day Preschool Delivers
- Literacy Skills (LeNS and PAST Tests)
Your child will be assessed on:
- Recognizing letter names and sounds
- Breaking words into sounds (phonemic awareness)
- Rhyming and word manipulation
Full-day programs teach these skills through songs, games, and repeated practice. Half-day programs cannot.
- Math Skills
Children need to learn:
- Counting to 20 and beyond
- Recognizing numerals
- Comparing groups (“more” versus “fewer”)
Full-day programs build math naturally through blocks, cooking, and daily routines.
- What The Research Shows
Students who attended full-day preschool are nearly 3 times less likely to repeat a grade. This is not only about academics. It is about social readiness, attention span, and classroom behavior.
When you choose a full-day program, ask specifically, “How do you prepare for Alberta’s new kindergarten screening tests?” The answer reveals whether a program is current with provincial requirements.
How to Choose Fast: Your 30-Minute Decision Framework
You are comparing 2 to 3 programs. Use this framework to decide quickly.
- Call Today (Not Tomorrow)
Check availability immediately. If a program says “2-year waitlist,” move to the next option. Quality programs have spots available now.
- Ask the 5 Questions Listed Above
Take notes. Quality programs answer specifically. Generic or vague answers are a red flag.
- Tour For 30 Minutes
Watch how staff interact with children. Can educators name the children? Do they respond warmly? Or do children feel like inventory? Trust your instincts.
- Ask About the New $15-Per-Day Policy
Does the program understand it? Can they explain eligibility? Programs that have not updated their pricing models yet are not staying current.
- Request 3 Parent References
Ask the program to provide three current parent references. Call them. Ask one question: “Would you choose this program again?” If they hesitate, keep looking.
- Make Your Decision
Most families know within one visit whether a program is right for them. If you are torn between options, that is a signal that neither is a clear winner. Keep looking.
Five Frequently Asked Questions
- Is full-day preschool too much for a 3-year-old?
No. Quality programs include quiet time, naps, and age-appropriate pacing. Most 3-year-olds thrive with routine and peer interaction.
- What if my child does not nap?
Quiet time with books and puzzles replaces sleep for non-nappers. The downtime itself is restorative.
- Is the $15-per-day policy guaranteed to happen?
Yes. The Alberta government confirmed the April 1, 2025 start date. Subsidies are phased in for eligible families.
- Will my child be behind if they do not attend preschool?
Many children succeed without preschool. “But the data is clear: 80% of full-day students exceed kindergarten readiness versus 58% of half-day students.”
- How do I know if a program is actually licensed?
Check Alberta’s official licensed childcare directory. Call the program directly and ask for their license number. Verify it.
Conclusion
You do not need guilt. You need a decision.
The facts are simple:
- Waitlists are real (12 to 18 months or longer)
- Full-day programs deliver measurable results (80% exceed kindergarten readiness)
- Affordability has shifted (April 2025 policy)
- Kindergarten expectations are higher (new screening tests)
The question is not whether your child should attend full-day preschool. The question is whether you enroll now (before waitlists worsen) or later (when spots are gone).Contact 2 to 3 licensed full-day preschool programs in Leduc, like Kidz Junction, this week. Ask the 5 questions. Tour one program. Make your decision. Your child is ready. You are ready. Choose now.