Pre-Kindergarten
The
efficacy of early childhood intervention for children with disabilities
and children living in vulnerable circumstances has been well
established. Research and experience clearly demonstrates that early
intervention in the first years of life represents a solid investment in
a child’s development and may prevent high cost interventions later in
life. Benefits of early intervention may include improved social skills,
improved health, heightened self-esteem, developmental growth in
language and cognitive abilities, and increased school readiness.
Responsibility
for early intervention of three and four year old children that have
been identified as children at risk, is shared among Horizon School
Division, SK Learning, Health Districts and Family Services. The goal is
to enable children living in vulnerable circumstances and children with
identified disabilities to achieve their full potential and succeed in
school and life. (The focus is on provision of holistic, responsive,
developmentally appropriate and culturally affirming programming.)
Agencies
such as Public Health and Community Resources and Employment will have a
lead role in informing parents of the program and assisting parents in
accessing the program for their children. Children are referred to the
program by the Health District’s Public Health Nurse, Early Childhood
Psychologist, Early Childhood Speech and Language Pathologist, Touchwood
Child and Youth Services, Department of Community Resources (DCR),
Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP) and/or Employment worker.
Schools with Pre-K Programs:
Humboldt Public School
Punnichy Elementary School
George Gordon Education Centre
Wadena Elementary School
Wynyard Elementary School