08/10/2026
Eighteen years ago, with the support of our Board of Directors with the BriarPatch Family Life Education Centre, the Government of Alberta and our local community, we created the BriarPatch Community Preschool. At the time, there were very few preschool programs in Sherwood Park, and we became concerned that some children would not have the opportunity for early learning before starting "big school." We are proud we have been able to step up, and offer a quality and enriching preschool for local families. Over the last few years, the funding stream from the Federal Government and Provincial Government for childcare created some changes that have resulted in a number of preschools across Alberta closing down. When local preschools in our community began closing about 3 years ago, we pivoted to ensure that we would not fall into this category. For 3 years, we had strong enrollment due to the closures of other local preschool programs. This year, despite working hard to register returning and new families, we have had a vastly different experience.
The Board of Directors has had to make the extremely difficult decision to close the BriarPatch Community Preschool as of August 5th, 2026. Though we had a fairly good number of registrants by the Spring, since then, our numbers have decreased to a level that can no longer sustain our program expenses, our lease and utilities, and living wages and benefits for our brilliant Educators. Rather than continue to hope this will turn around soon, the decision to close now gives time for families to secure spots in other local preschool programs, and ensures we would not be making this move part way through the school year, which would have greater implications at that time. It has not been an easy experience to come to the realization that we can no longer continue, and all of us are devasted our tremendous efforts and community engagement did not change the numbers that are so important to continue this program.
We hope in time things will change with the economy and funding, and we can perhaps revisit this amazing early learning opportunity in the future. No promises but it will always be on our radar for discussion and exploration. We will truly miss watching littles grow as they learn together, and will carry the last 18 years of memories with us as we close this chapter.
