Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten
Every child grows differently. Our early intervention pre-K programs provide specialized support so children can build confidence, skills and a strong start to school.
Questions? Call our early learning team - we are happy to guide you through the process. Call 780.955-4532 or email: rebecca.aiken@blackgold.ca.
Why early support matters
- Early intervention builds confidence
- Children develop communication and social skills so they are ready for kindergarten
- Families feel supported and guided
- Small steps now can make a big difference for success later
Who is the Early Intervention Pre-K program for?
- Children must be 2 years and 8 months of age as of August 31 in the respective school year
- Preschoolers who may need additional support with communication, following directions, behaviour, or overall development
This is a specialized early intervention program. A screening determines eligibility.
Is your child learning English as an Additional Language?
- English as an Additional Language (EAL) - Junior Kindergarten program is a social, play-based, targeted learning program for children whose main language at home is not English
- In Leduc and Beaumont we offer English language development in our EAL Junior Kindergartens
- In the rest of our communities, students learning English as an Additional Language join our Early Intervention-Pre-K classes.
- We’re committed to high-quality care across all our locations, ensuring every child feels confident and every family feels supported as they prepare for Kindergarten.
Please connect with us if you have questions - we are here to help!
What your child will experience in Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten sites
- Hands on learning in a happy, supportive environment
- Small class sizes (1 staff for every 3 children maximum)
- Individual plans tailored to your child
- Growth in communication skills and social confidence within a school setting
- Access to specialists as needed (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology services)
- Guidance from a certified ATA teacher
- Preparing for success in kindergarten!
What your child will experience in EAL Junior Kindergarten sites
- Hands on learning in a happy, supportive environment
- Small class sizes (1 staff for every 9 children)
- Increase vocabulary through play
- Growth in communication skills and social confidence within a school setting
- Celebrate the diverse cultures our families bring to the classroom
- Guidance from a certified ATA teacher
- Preparing for success in kindergarten!
Program locations
Our EI-Pre-K and EAL Junior Kindergarten programs are located in our communities, and housed within the following Black Gold schools:
- Calmar Elementary School - for Calmar families
- École Bellevue School - for Beaumont and New Sarepta Families
- École Dansereau Meadows School - for Beaumont and New Sarepta EAL Families
- École Corinthia Park School - for Leduc families*
- Linsford Park School - for families Leduc families*
- Willow Park School - for EAL families Leduc families*
- Robina Baker Elementary School - for Devon families
- Thorsby Elementary School - for Thorsby and Warburg families
*Leduc EI-Pre-K and EAL students are invited to attend one of three sites, determined by school attendance boundaries that will apply in kindergarten. Our early learning staff will help you know, based on where you live, which site your child would attend.
** Please note: Covenant Christian Play School does not fall under the Black Gold School Division Pre-Kindergarten umbrella. Please contact the school directly for more information about registration for that program.
Fees
There is a yearly material enhancement fee of $80 for children who are 2 years and 8 months old. The fee is $100 for children aged 3 years and 8 months old, as of August 31 of the respective school year.
Transportation
Families are responsible for transporting their children to and from Pre-K programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What happens during the screening?
The process is designed to be convenient and collaborative. It begins with two online screeners sent to you via email. We encourage families to watch their inbox closely for this message.
After families have submitted the forms, our team will review the information. This may lead directly to registration if your child is eligible, or an invitation for a friendly in-person assessment to help us further determine eligibility.
Pro Tip: The faster these forms are completed, the quicker the process! If your child has any previous speech, medical, or developmental reports, please share them with us early, as this can significantly expedite your application.
2. Does my child need a diagnosis to qualify?
A formal diagnosis is not required. Our programs are designed for any “little learner who needs a little more.” Whether your child is learning English as an additional language or could benefit from extra support with communication, social skills, or behavior, we focus on their individual needs and how we can help them thrive.
Our screening process is specifically designed to help us determine the right level of support for your child. If you already have any medical, speech, or developmental reports, please share them with us during the application. This can help speed up the process and give our team a clearer picture of how to best help your child from day one.
3. How long does the program run?
Our Early Years programs follow a schedule similar to the K–12 school calendar (September to June), including a November break, spring break, and additional days away for designated teacher-parent meeting or planning days.
Because our "little learners" are younger, their school day is shorter than a typical Kindergarten or Grade 1 schedule. This allows them to build skills without becoming overwhelmed. The number of hours offered depends on your child’s age:
- 3-Year-Olds: Approximately 300 hours per year (averaging 3 half-days per week).
- 4-Year-Olds: Approximately 400 hours per year (averaging 4 half-days per week).
4. Is there a cost?
There is no tuition cost for the program. To help provide high-quality classroom resources, we have a small monthly material enhancement fee:
- 3-Year-Olds: $8 / month
- 4-Year-Olds: $10 / month
5. Can I speak with someone before applying?
Absolutely! We know that choosing the right start for your child is a big decision, and we are here to walk alongside you. Whether you have questions about your catchment area, the screening process, or how we support multilingual families, we would love to connect.
You can reach out to our Early Years Team to discuss your child’s unique needs and learn more about our supportive environments.
- Email: rebecca.aiken@gshare.blackgold.ca
- Phone: 780 - 955- 4532
Let us partner with you
Every child grows differently. We will partner with you to provide the support your child needs to grow, be confident, and ready for future learning. Connect with us today.