Early Learning

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.