Early Childhood Services Update

1. Early Childhood Services Update December 2012

2. Global Vision The trend in Canada and internationally is to merge early childhood education services, aligning them with public education to create a more seamless transition to school and a more holistic learning environment. (Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development University of Toronto, 2012)

3. Toward a Provincial Framework The Government of Alberta Ministries of Human Services and Education are sponsoring, provincial forum discussions to gather advice and seeking direction from stakeholders to develop a provincial framework for Early Learning and Care in Alberta.

4. Alberta Education (2012) defines early childhood services as a broad, coordinated system of local and provincial programs that meet the developmental and special education needs of young children and their families.

5. In keeping with Alberta Education, Action on Inclusion, we continue to offer a continuum of supports and services for preschool children in a variety of quality early learning environments to ensure that all children will have equitable opportunity to be successful. An inclusive education system provides appropriate choices for children and their families.

6. Medicine Hat School District 76 Early Childhood Services 35 Kindergarten Classes 11 Early Learning Programs 1 Licensed Preschool Program 1 Licensed Childcare Center 22 Private Preschool Community Sites

7. The Guiding Principles created by Alberta Education form the framework that acknowledges play as integral to children’s learning and richly formative in their capacity for relationships, overall growth and development. (2007)

8. Childhoods differ depending on social and cultural circumstances.

9. Children’s development is influenced but not determined by their early experiences.

10. Children interact and learn in a variety of contexts.

11. Children are co-constructors of knowledge and partners in learning.

12. Children are unique and active contributors to their learning.

13. Children construct and represent knowledge in a variety of ways.

14. Children are citizens and active participants in school and society.

15. Children are active collaborators in and users of assessment.

16. Kindergarten 549 children attend Kindergarten 59 children receive support through program unit funding 131 children have mild/moderate needs addressed in Kindergarten

17. Early Learning Programs 179 children attend Early Learning Programs 87 children are supported with program unit funding 39 children are supported with mild/moderate funding

18. Community Early Learning 107 children supported by program unit funding 88 children supported by mild/moderate funding

19. District Services • Director of Primary Services • Early Learning Coordinator • Early Learning Teachers • Behavior Consultants and Behavior Teacher • Integrated Education Assistant Musician • Educational Assistants • Early Literacy Assistants • Psychological Services • Family Oriented Programming Teachers • Parents as Teachers Educator

20. Integrated Services • Speech and Language Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • REACH Collaborative Services • Music Therapy • Esplanade Outreach Artist • Transportation – specially equipped buses with attendants

21. Professional Development We continue to revisit, strengthen and build upon early learning programming, building capacity in both the schools and community settings on a monthly basis.

22. The brighter future that we envision for all children can only be realized when based on a solid pillar of education. When we ensure that our youth have the best programs and support systems in place; when our youth are enthusiastic about school; and when our community comes together, we truly have all the ingredients to make dreams a reality. Dr. Marie Delorme, Co-Chair, UpStart Council of Champions