Early Childhood Services and Special Needs
The School Act states that a board or an approved school authority may provide an ECS program to a child who is younger than 6 years of age as of September 1. Under Alberta Education policy, children identified with disabilities/delays are eligible for up to three years of ECS programming, depending on age, severity of the disability/delay and its impact on the child’s learning and development. Standards for the Provision of Early Childhood Special Education (261 KB) applies to children who meet the eligibility criteria for special education programming.
Program Unit Funding (PUF) is provided to approved ECS operators for children with severe disabilities/delays who require support beyond that offered in regular ECS programs. For complete information on funding, see the Funding Manual. The ECS Special Education Handbook (174 KB) explains basic funding requirements and how to complete the application forms. The handbook also explains other funding that is provided for children identified with mild to moderate disabilities/delays and those who are gifted and talented.
Education is not the only ministry that funds programs and services for young children with special needs. The Distinct but Linked brochure (115 KB) outlines, in handy chart form, the services available from four distinct-but-linked ministries: Children's Services, Education, Health & Wellness, and Seniors & Community Supports.
Your organization can order print copies of the brochure directly from the DATA document warehouse at no cost. The minimum order is 25, the maximum is 200.
Online ordering
1. Log in to the site with your user id and password. How to register.
2. Select Alberta Health and Wellness from the Catalogue tab drop-down list.
3. Enter part of the brochure title or catalogue number (1450) in the search box and follow ordering directions.
Ordering by fax
Fax your request to 780-422-1695, and include the following information in the fax:
• Form/item number (NCN1450)
• Title of form/resource (Distinct but Linked brochure)
• Quantity required
• Complete mailing address, including postal code
• Contact name and phone number
ECS or Kindergarten?
The terms early childhood services (ECS) and kindergarten are often used interchangeably. However, ECS refers to the broad, coordinated system of local and provincial programs that meet the developmental and special education needs of young children and their families, and kindergarten refers specifically to the education program for children in the year prior to Grade 1. The kindergarten program is an important part of ECS.
