Children 3 to 6 Years of Age
Learning starts the moment a child is born. The first six years of a child’s life are an extremely important time in their development. It is a critical time in human development when the brain is developing connections faster than at any other time in a person’s life. Strong brain foundations are critical to support future learning and life success.
Alberta Education, within the Inclusive Education framework, has identified that every child deserves a great start. Lethbridge School Division values and supports the best possible start in a child’s learning journey and life success by providing Early Childhood Services programming that is based on current research in the field of early learning and development.
Early Childhood Services (ECS) in our school district refers to programs that meet the developmental and identified needs of families of young children (ages 3 to 6 yrs.). In some circumstances, children identified with severe delays may start as early as 2 years 8 months. The education of children in the year prior to Grade 1 is referred to as Kindergarten. Kindergarten Programs are an important part of ECS and FREE Kindergarten Programs are available to ALL children. Fees are applicable for entry into our Early Education Programs since these are not government funded programs, other than children with assessed development delays that meet Alberta Education criteria.
Children who have identified delays access integrated supports that may include involvement of a Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Behavioural Consultant, Psychologist, Vision Consultant, Hearing Consultant etc., depending on their area(s) of need. An Individual Program Plan (IPP) is developed by the team which includes the parents, classroom staff and support professionals.
Guiding Principles for Our Early Education Programs
- Experiences during early childhood years are crucial to a child’s learning and development.
- A safe and caring environment is necessary for learning.
- Children learn through play and exploration.
- Staff and families work as partners to support a child’s development.
- A team approach is used to address all areas of a child’s development.
- Active involvement in meaningful learning experiences includes challenges and successes.
- Meeting all children and families, where they are currently at, is critical.
- Decision making and responsibilities are shared.
- Children learn and reflect what they know in different ways.
- Children’s needs are identified early and proactive steps are taken to address potential delays or challenges.
- Our early education programs are ready to accommodate all children and adapt programs to ensure learning and success for all.
Early Education Programs for Preschool-aged Children
Lethbridge School Division offers Early Education Programs that are developed on a hands-on, play-based, developmentally appropriate approach that recognizes that children learn from one another as well as responsive adults. Our programs provide a strong foundation in speech and language skills, as well as other areas of development, that allow children to learn alongside their peers. Children gain independence through proactive support and planning.
Parents may register children for an Early Education Program if they are four years old by Dec. 31 of the school year they are entering. Children that are three by December 31, experiencing a severe developmental delay that meets Alberta Education criteria, are also accepted. Children are required to be fully toilet trained with some exceptions made for children with identified delays or medical needs. For the 2023/2024 school year we will offer programs in 7 locations: Fleetwood-Bawden Elementary School, Galbraith Elementary School, Park Meadows Elementary School, Westminster Elementary School, Dr. Gerald B. Probe Elementary School, Nicholas Sheran Elementary School and Mike Mountain Horse Elementary School.
The Early Education Program Brochure for 2023/2024 can be found here:
Our 2023/2024 Expression Of Interest process ran until April 26, 2023 and families who competed this process will receive placement information by May 5, 2023. If you missed the Expression of Interest process, and would like to enquire about available spaces, you may call Charlene Drader @ 403-380-5385 starting May 8, 2023.
For 2023/2024, southside locations will include:
Fleetwood-Bawden Elementary School
For 2023/2024, northside locations will include:
Galbraith Elementary School
Park Meadows Elementary School- AM Class Only
Westminster Elementary School- PM Class Only
For 2023/2024, westside locations will include:
Dr. Gerald B. Probe Elementary School- AM Class Only
Nicholas Sheran Elementary School-PM Class Only
Mike Mountain Horse Elementary School
- For further information you may contact your school of choice.
- Refer to the School Locator to determine your neighbourhood school
Parent Information and Community Resources
Child Development
Core Story on Brain Development
Centre on the Developing Child – Harvard University
Talk Box – A Resource for Speech and Language Development
Hanen Tips for Parents - Language and Literacy
Healthy Parents – Healthy Children
Triple P (Positive Parenting Program)
Galileo Network – Early Learning – Parent Info
Community Resources
Children’s Allied Health Services – Lethbridge and Area
Community Links – Southern Alberta
Alberta Education – Early Childhood
My Child’s Learning – A Parent Resource – Kindergarten
Provincial Early Childhood Initiatives
Together We Raise Tomorrow – An Alberta Approach to Early Childhood Development
Let’s Talk About the Early Years – Early Childhood Development Report by the Chief Medical Officer of Health Alberta
National Early Childhood Initiatives
Council of Ministers of Education Canada – Statement on Play-based Learning