Early Development Centres at the Calgary Board of Education will see fundamental changes to program structure and service delivery starting in the 2020-21 school year. Remodeling of the program took place following a review of the current programming and after receipt of the new Program Unit Funding guidelines introduced by Alberta Education. Below, we outline the robust preschool program model that we look forward to implementing in the fall of 2020.
Program Description
The Early Development Centres (EDC) supports pre-school children who have been identified with severe 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 partially 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 delays/disabilities by a qualified professional (pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist).
Registration
If you are interested in registering for our Early Development Centres at James Short Memorial or Guy Weadick Schools, please email us at
earlydevelopmentcentres@cbe.ab.ca and one of our team members will follow-up with you.
EDC Programs
Within the classroom each child will receive specific services targeting their identified needs and strengths. 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:
- Certified teachers
- Early Childhood Education Support Staff
- Speech Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Behavior Support Worker
- Music Therapist
- School Family Liaison
Children will have access to a 400-hour program throughout the year. Children can attend the program Monday through Thursday in either the morning or the afternoon (please see
EDC calendar for specific attendance dates and times).
Parents are required to transport their child to and from the program as transportation is not offered.
2020-2021 EDC Program Locations
For information on these locations or to register, email
earlydevelopmentcentres@cbe.ab.ca
Niitsitapi Learning Centre* (Satellite program)
3743 Dover Ridge Drive SE
Calgary AB T2B 2E1
t | 403-817-3404
*Our satellite location at Niitsitapi Learning Centre focuses on early intervention for First Nation, Métis and Inuit children. The program provides a strong academic foundation through early intervention in a learning environment that reflects and nurtures Indigenous identity through a holistic, strength-based, early learning approach. If you are interested in registering for this program, please contact the school directly at
403-817-3404.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a cost to the EDC program?
There is no cost to our EDC preschool 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. Children attending Niitsitapi Learning Centre only will have the opportunity to access transportation services and should discuss this opportunity with the school directly by calling: 403-817-3404
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. If you are interested in attending Niitsitapi Learning Centre, please call the school directly at 403-817-3404 to ask about availability.
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
