Preschool

Program Description

The Early Development Centres (EDC) supports pre-school children who have been identified with severe/moderate delays/disabilities. These may be delays in speech and language, social, emotional, or behavioral development, and/or physical/medical development. Through play in a language-rich environment, we are able to better prepare children for Kindergarten and beyond. Early intervention support is fully funded through Alberta Education’s Program Unit Funding (PUF).

Eligibility for Attending an EDC Program

Children need to be 3 years on or before December 31 of the current school year and have been identified with severe/moderate delays/disabilities by a qualified professional (pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist). CBE is offering speech-language assessments for children who may be eligible to attend.

We will offer a limited number of spaces for play partners who do not have identified delays or disabilities for a monthly fee.

• PreK3 EDC program: $200.00/month
• PreK4 EDC program: $260.00/month

Registration

Registration for the 2021-22 school year is now closed. Please check back in March 2022 for information about the 2022-23 school year.​

EDC Programs

Within the classroom each child will receive specific services targeting their identified needs and strengths. Depending on age, children will have access to 300-400 hours of programming. Morning and afternoon space is available. Early Learning Staff will personalize instruction directed by a certified teacher and attend to each child’s learning so they can all participate, progress, and achieve. Class sizes may vary up to a maximum of 12 children.

The EDC classroom offers an enhanced support team that may include:

• Certificated teachers
  
• Early Childhood Education Support Staff
• Speech Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Behavior Support Worker
• School Family Liaison

Hours will be determined at a later date.

Parents are required to transport their child to and from the program as transportation is not offered.

2021-2022 EDC Program Locations

For information on these locations or to register, email earlydevelopmentcentres@cbe.ab.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is there a cost to the EDC program?

Q. Is transportation provided?

We do not offer transportation services to the EDC program. Families are responsible for transporting children to and from the program.

Q. How do I register for your program?

For our James Short and Guy Weadick School locations, please send an email to our team at earlydevelopmentcentres@cbe.ab.ca or call 403-817-7604.

Q. Do you offer before/after care?

We do not offer before or after care. Families are required to pick-up and drop-off children at the times indicated for each location.

Q. Does my child need to be toilet trained to attend the program?

Children do not need to be toilet trained for the program and support staff will aide with changes as required. Parents are required to provide diapers, wipes and a change of clothes.

Q. Are snacks provided?

We do not provide snacks. Families are asked to send their child each day with a water bottle and a healthy snack.

Q. I still have more questions. Who can I contact?

Should you have more questions, please contact our team by email at earlydevelopmentcentres@cbe.ab.ca​