The Early Years
Lifelong learning starts the moment we are born. The first six years of our lives are a time of unparalleled discovery. We learn about ourselves and the world around us. Our personalities take shape and we begin to lay the foundation of knowledge that will support us as we enter the education system. Recognising this, Premier Stelmach provided the Minister of Education with a mandate letter that identified three priorities; one was to explore options to provide children with access to early learning opportunities.
Early Childhood Services (ECS) includes options for educational programming for children as young as 2½ years old.
The School Act states that a board or an approved school authority may provide an ECS program to a child who is younger than 6 years of age as of September 1. Under Alberta Education Early Childhood Services policy 1.1.3, children identified with disabilities/delays are eligible for up to three years of ECS programming, depending on age, severity of the disability/delay and its impact on the child’s ability to function within an ECS environment. Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education applies to children who meet the eligibility criteria for special education programming.
Program Unit Funding (PUF) which is in addition to Base Instruction Funding is available to approved ECS operators for young children from 2½ to age 6. These children have been assessed with a severe disability/delay.
Funding for children with mild to moderate disabilities/delays and those who are gifted and talented is provided in addition to the Base Instruction funding. Children who meet the coding criteria must be at least 3½ years and less than 6 years of age on September 1.
Information on funding for both programs is available in the Funding Manual.
Kindergarten is a program that not only helps prepare children for entry into Grade 1, but also provides a foundation for later success. The purpose of Kindergarten is to provide learning experiences that are developmentally appropriate in order to meet the diverse needs of children and promote a positive attitude toward lifelong learning. A child whose developmental needs have been met is more likely to grow into a self-reliant, responsible, caring and contributing member of society. Funding is provided for the child to attend Kindergarten for 475 hours in one year.
The decision to offer full-day or junior Kindergarten programs within a community is the decision of the local school authority, which has maximum flexibility to use their funds in whatever manner they choose.
Early Learners: English as a Second Language/Francisation Programming for ECS Programs
Budget 2007 provided $7 million in new funding to help school jurisdictions build language skills for children. Early Learners: ESL/Francisation programming is now funded for children as young as 3½ years old, who have been identified as benefiting from English as a Second Language (ESL) or Francisation support.
Resources available through Alberta Children’s Services (Links will direct you to another Ministry’s website)
Parent Link Centres
In addition to the Early Childhood Services offered by Alberta Education, Children’s Services supports 46 parent link centres across the province that are specifically designed to support parents and their children up to the age of 6 years. At a parent Link Centre in their community, parents can access information about community services, obtain referrals, meet other parents and families, and take part in quality learning activities with their children. There is also a virtual parent link centre for parenting information and resources.
Pre-School and Day Care
In Alberta, Children and Youth Services sets the standards for licensed day cares, pre-schools and out-of-school care programs. These standards safeguard the health and well-being of the children these facilities service. Children and Youth Services also offers subsidies to help eligible low- and middle income parents with the costs of licensed and approved child care.
Alberta Health and Wellness provides information on helping children to grow up healthy. This includes pre-school growth and development resources, immunization schedules, speech and language milestones and food and nutrition information.
Programs in the Community
Not all learning takes place in a traditional classroom setting. Alberta Education supports a number of community-based programs that give younger children an early edge. Family literacy, early literacy and head start programs encourage children to develop language and other basic skills before they start school.
Alberta Children and Youth Initiative
Introduced in 1998, the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative (ACYI) is a collaborative partnership of government ministries working together on issues affecting children and youth. Its vision ensures that Alberta's children and youth are well cared for, safe, successful at learning, and healthy.
