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E-100.5-AR: Programming for Students - Early Childhood Services
References:
- E-100
- Education Act 21(1) (2)
- Early Childhood Services Regulation, AR 87/2019
- Kindergarten Program Statement, 2008
- Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education, 2006
- Funding Manual for School Authorities
- Definitions
- Early Childhood Services (ECS) refers to the broad, coordinated system of local or provincial programs that meet the developmental and special education needs of young children and their families.
- Kindergarten refers to the last year of an ECS program prior to Grade 1. ECS programs including Kindergarten are not mandatory.
- ECS programs will utilize an integrated approach to learning that involves parents/guardians, staff and community.
- ECS programming will be consistent with the philosophy, goals and program dimensions prescribed by Alberta Education and as detailed in the Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education (2006) and the Kindergarten Program Statement (2008).
- Division ECS programming includes preschool programming and kindergarten.
- Eligibility for entrance to preschool programming will be restricted to children who qualify for Alberta Education funding. Specifically, preschool programming is intended to provide access to early intervention services for children who meet criteria for mild/moderate and/or severe disabilities as defined by Alberta Education. Division preschool programming includes children who are not funded by Alberta Education but provide age appropriate peer modeling for those children with identified needs. The Principal of St. Albert Public Preschool is authorized to select peer models.
- Eligibility for entrance to kindergarten programming will be restricted to children who qualify for Alberta Education funding. To be eligible to attend kindergarten a child must be at least 5 years of age as of December 31 of the respective school year. A board shall not require that a child attain 5 years of age by a date earlier than December 31 of the respective school year.
- Provincial regulations with respect to safety standards, programming, policies, teachers, records, finance and insurance will be strictly maintained.