Frequently Answered Questions

1. What is a Parent Participation Preschool (PPP)?

The most special part of a PPP is the opportunity for parents to spend time in the classroom with the children. Parents serve as teachers assistants and help with the daily programme. Also, a PPP is a preschool in which the administration of the school is maintained by the parents. An Executive Committee with jobs such as President, Treasurer, Enrolment, ensures the smooth operation of the preschool. This committee works closely with our teachers to provide an enriching and nurturing environment for our children. Here at St. Giles, we are a non-profit organization and we are also a registered charity. Our school follows both the Provincial Licensing regulations and the Council of Parent Participation Preschools regulations.

2. What is the Council of Parent Participation Preschools (CPPP)?

The CPPP an umbrella organization which has supported member parent participation preschools throughout mainland British Columbia for over 55 years. The purpose of the Council is to unite and assist member preschools in providing a high standard of preschool education by the supported effort of parents and teachers in a planned adult education program.

3. What are the responsibilities of the parents in a PPP?

The best part about a PPP is the opportunity for parents to spend time in the classroom with the children. We call this time in the classroom as being on duty. The average time a parent may spend in the classroom is about three hours 2 to 3 times a month. There is a parent education and general business meeting in the evening for two and a half hours once a month. Finally, each family is responsible for a job in the preschool.

4. What types of jobs are available for parents in a PPP?

There are a wide variety of jobs available for the families and we try to match your interests or skills to the jobs. For example, if you have an interest in sewing, this is a job and your responsibility may be to sew items for the dress-up area. If you have a background in accounting, you may be most helpful to the preschool as our treasurer.

5. What is the time commitment to belong to a PPP?

The time commitment is certainly more than a preschool that you would drop off your child for the morning or afternoon. Duty days are about three hours twice a month. The parent education and general meeting is two and a half hours in the evening once a month. Your job in the preschool may take a couple of hours a week. The reward is time spent in the classroom with the children and the parent education evenings will give you greater understanding about the developing child.

6. What are the expectations in fundraising?

All the families are responsible to help the preschool with fundraising. The Fundraising Committee provides a variety of methods for the families to participate in. We make it fun and we support each other in our efforts.

7. Can working parents participate?

Yes, as long as your work schedule allows it.  Please keep in mind all participants are given the same expectations for the high level of participation at a PPP.  Many working parents find doing duty a great way to spend time with their child during these exciting preschool years.