Early Years (Age 2 1/2 - 5 1/2)

Early Learning (Click for Locations)
Early Learning classes provide for children 3½ years of age as of September 1st. These classes serve children who live in the school attendance area who are English language Learners or have special needs.

The Early Learning Program is:

• Learning through play-based activities
• Building pre-literacy skills
• Building pre-numeracy skills
• Building social skills
• Developing fine and gross motor skills
• Including young children as part of the school community

The Early Learning Program also supports full-day Kindergarten programming in high needs schools and provides professional development for early years programming.

Early Education (Click for Locations)
The Early Education program fosters the growth and development of preschoolers with identified special education needs. The program is funded through grants provided by Alberta Education and Alberta Children's Services, and is provided at no cost to participating families.

Early Education is typically a two year program for children with severe special needs who are at least 2½ as of September 1st and a one year program for children with mild/moderate special needs who are at least 3½ as of September 1st. Limited spaces for other children from the community may be available.

The Early Education Program is:

• Four or five half-days per week
• Small class sizes

and provides specialized support in Speech and Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and family-oriented programming sessions.

Kindergarten (Click for Locations)
Kindergarten programs, a half-day morning or afternoon program, are offered at most elementary schools for children who are 4½ years old as of Sept 1. Although it is not mandatory for parents to send their children to Kindergarten, it is strongly encouraged, as it teaches language, motor, social and other readiness skills important for success in schooling in the early grades.

Several schools may offer full-day Kindergarten in order to ensure children from those neighbourhoods get a good foundation in school readiness skills.

The Kindergarten curriculum provides instruction in seven expected learning areas: Early Literacy; Early Numeracy; Citizenship and Identity; Environment and Community Awareness; Personal and Social Responsibility; Physical Skills and Well-being; and Creative Expression.

Other Information for Parents

School Daycare Program Locations

Before/After School Care Program Locations

Community Partners

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS TRANSITIONING OUT OF EARLY YEARS PROGRAMS

Transition Skills - Questions for Parents to Ask a New School or Classroom
Transition Skills - Questions that Parents May be Asked at a School Visit

FUNDING FOR EARLY YEARS CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS

Alberta Education provides Program Unit Funding (PUF) to Edmonton Public Schools for early years children with identified special needs. Funding is used to provide specialized supports and services for the childs educational program.

For more information, visit the Early Childhood Services page on the Alberta Education website.

© Copyright 2012, Edmonton Public Schools
Terms of Use
District-wide Privacy Statement
Contact Web Administrator