The basics nobody hands you
Kindergarten, a family doctor, child care and the monthly benefits. The four things Calgary parents ask about most, answered from the school boards, Alberta and the CRA.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten is optional in Alberta. A child can start in the fall if they turn five on or before December 31 of that school year, so a four year old with a fall birthday can go. The public and Catholic boards both follow that rule.
Calgary Board of Education
Public · registration opens in early January
- - Registration for the next school year begins in early January.
- - Most CBE schools run half-day kindergarten, mornings or afternoons, or alternating full days. Hours vary by school.
- - For 2026-27, 14 CBE schools offer full-day kindergarten. The list changes every year, so check it before you count on one.
Source cbe.ab.ca
Calgary Catholic School District
Catholic · register at cssd.ab.ca/register
- - All Calgary Catholic elementary schools offer half-day kindergarten when enough families register.
- - Bring your child's birth certificate and proof of address. A baptismal certificate may be asked for.
- - The district enrols Catholic students in a school's area first, then non-Catholic and out-of-area students where there is room.
Source cssd.ab.ca
French first-language schools for eligible families are run by the Conseil scolaire FrancoSud. francosud.ca
Finding a family doctor
Alberta Find a Provider lists clinics, family doctors and nurse practitioners taking new patients, and lets you filter by location, language, online booking and virtual visits. The old albertafindadoctor.ca address now forwards there. albertafindaprovider.ca
Health Link 811 is free health advice by phone, 24 hours a day, with a New Parent and Newborn Line among its services. Call 811 when you are not sure if a fever or a fall needs the emergency room. For an emergency, call 9-1-1. albertahealthservices.ca
What child care costs
Since April 1, 2025, Alberta has used a flat parent fee at licensed programs that take provincial affordability funding. It applies to children kindergarten age or younger.
Licensed daycare or family day home
Province of Alberta · flat parent fee
- - Full-time care, 100 hours or more a month, $326.25
- - Part-time care, 50 to 99 hours a month, $230
- - Licensed preschools get up to $100 per child per month to lower fees
Programs can charge extra for optional services like meals, transport or field trips, as long as joining in is voluntary. Ask any program if it is licensed and receives affordability funding. Childcare Connect answers questions at 1-844-644-5165.
Source alberta.ca
For before and after school care, families earning under $90,000 with kids in full-time kindergarten to grade 6 can apply for the Child Care Subsidy. The amount depends on income, grade and hours. alberta.ca
Benefits to claim
- - The Canada child benefit is a tax-free monthly payment for children under 18, paid by the CRA. You keep it by filing taxes every year. canada.ca
- - The Alberta Child and Family Benefit adds tax-free quarterly payments for lower and middle income families. alberta.ca
The free stuff at the library
- - A Calgary Public Library membership is free for every member of your household. calgarylibrary.ca
- - Free programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers run at branches across the city. calgarylibrary.ca
- - My First Bookshelf mails children from birth to five a free personalized book every month. Space is limited and no library card is needed to sign up. calgarylibrary.ca
What do you wish you'd known?
The wall on the home page collects the things Calgary parents learned the hard way. Add one line for the next family.
Checked against the sources linked on this page on October 20, 2026. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the source before you go.