English
French-language content for this topic on Alberta.ca is currently being developed. Information will remain available on the Alberta Education website until this is complete.
Français
La page correspondante en français est en cours de préparation sur le site Web Alberta.ca. Pendant cette période de transition, l'information qu'elle contient demeure disponible sur le site Web du ministère de l'Éducation.
Overview
Early Childhood Services (ECS) refers to educational programming for children before they enter Grade 1.
ECS includes both Pre-Kindergarten programming dedicated to children who require additional supports and Kindergarten.
Alberta is the only province in Canada that funds education supports for children as young as 2 years 8 months.
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten is for children who require additional supports to prepare them for Kindergarten and Grade 1. Children eligible include those:
- learning English as a second language
- requiring Francophone programming
- gifted and talented
- diagnosed with a mild, moderate, severe disability, or a language delay that is moderate or severe
Children with a severe disability or a language delay that is moderate or severe may start pre-Kindergarten at age 2 years 8 months as of August 31. All other children may begin at age 3 years 8 months as of August 31.
Contact your local school board or independent ECS operator for more information about available programming and registering your child.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten is the year prior to entry into Grade 1. Children may start Kindergarten at age 4 years 8 months as of August 31.
Contact your local school board or independent ECS operator for more information about available programming and enrolling your child.
Resources
- Funding Manual
- Special Education Coding Criteria
- Critères relatifs aux codes en adaptation scolaire
- Early Childhood Services Handbook for the Identification and Review of Children with Severe Disabilities
- Manuel de l’identification et de l’évaluation des enfants ayant des incapacités graves dans les programmes de services au préscolaire
How to establish an Early Childhood Services (ECS) program
To request an application for an independent (private) ECS, submit requests to [email protected].
New independent (private) ECS applications are received throughout the year.
The deadline for submission to begin operating in September of any given calendar year is October 31 of the previous year and will be noted on the application form. Application process and requirements are further described in the Fact Sheet: Establishing a private ECS.
Contact
Connect with Alberta Education for more information about private schools:
Phone: 780-427-6272
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]