PLAY
PLAY (Parents Looking After Youth) was established in 1973 through funding by a local incentive grant to provide quality care for the 
children in the Hillhurst-Sunnyside area. We strive to provide an environment that is safe, secure, and supportive of children’s developmental needs. We believe in providing a positive nurturing environment that will encourage creativity, intellectual curiosity, social interactions, self-help skills, physical activity and emotional development for children. We believe all children have the right to attend a quality preschool environment. PLAY requires a minimum Early Childhood Education (E.C.E) and 
experience level from all our staff members. At PLAY we recognize the irrefutable link between qualifications of childcare workers and the level of quality care provided. Our goal is to create a standard of excellence in childcare. In recognition of this high standard, PLAY became an accredited childcare centre by Alberta Children’s Services in 2006 and 2009 (3 years between accreditation).
Parent Involvement
Parents at PLAY have the opportunity to directly influence the quality of care their children receive. PLAY parents are expected to volunteer a minimum of 12 hours per year per family. This volunteer requirement can be fulfilled in a variety of ways depending on the parent’s area of interest and/or the needs of the centre and can be done in a way that best suits the parent’s schedule. The volunteer requirement can be fulfilled either at home or at the daycare depending on the task. Parents are always welcome to participate in the activities of the Centre and are also invited to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings and the Annual General Meeting.
General Information
PLAY has places for 50 children ranging in ages from birth to 6 years. We accommodate children in three categories: infants (0 – 19 months), toddlers (19 months – 36 months and preschoolers (3 – 6 years) in three rooms. Our Parent Handbook outlines our policies in detail.
Programming
Our caregivers plan and facilitate meaningful learning experiences based on sound knowledge of children’s development and on daily observation of the child’s interests, needs and abilities. We implement programming that is relevant and meaningful to the children.
Our philosophy is to provide a predictable daily routine to instill a sense of security which allows for individual preferences and independent choice. Each day will incorporate a balance of (a) indoor and outdoor play (b) quiet and active times (c) large group, small group and individual activities and (d) child initiated and adult initiated activities.
Hours of Operation
PLAY is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The Centre will be closed for all general and optional statutory holidays (12 days) recognized by the Alberta Government. In addition, PLAY will be closed between Boxing Day and New Years, as well as for two Professional Development (PD) days. The PD days will be determined by the Executive Director at the beginning of each year.
Food and Nutrition
PLAY has an on-site cook who uses a well-appointed kitchen to prepare and serve nutritious and well balanced meals – a morning snack, a hot lunch and an afternoon snack. We are able to accommodate children who have food restrictions or allergies, or who require special diets.
Wait List
We make a sincere effort to accommodate parents who are interested in having their children placed at PLAY; however, we strive towards full enrollment at all times. Therefore, we recommend that you contact our Executive Director well in advance of the date you wish to place your child at the daycare.
Please review our waitlist policy (click here for PDF) or contact the Executive Director if you have any questions.
