Empowering Children to Soar Towards Success!
ABC Head Start provides early childhood education and support, ensuring children are ready to start kindergarten confidently alongside their peers.
Head Start is an inclusive, early learning program designed for children turning 3 or 4 by December 31. The program runs from September to June, with two program streams based on your child’s age.
As a private Early Childhood Services (ECS) operator, we welcome children with diverse needs, including those with significant developmental delays who qualify for Program Unit Funding (PUF).
Our holistic approach provides not only classroom-based learning but also access to our interdisciplinary team—including certificated teachers, educational assistants, speech and language pathologists, and behavioral specialists—who work together to support a wide range of learning needs. Children receive classroom support tailored to their development, as well as personalized learning plans that extend beyond the classroom. We equip families with strategies and resources to reinforce their child’s growth at home, ensuring a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Explorations
For children turning 3 on or before December 31
2 half-days per week | September–June
In the Classroom:
Play-based learning using the Flight curriculum
Small group sizes with caring, skilled educators
Focus on communication, social skills, independence, and early learning goals
Beyond the Classroom:
Access to our skilled interdisciplinary team (speech and language support, behaviour consultation, occupational therapy)
Family support services from our Family Engagement Team
Learning Beyond the Classroom experiences may be offered based on the needs of each child and family
Program outcomes:
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Verbal Communication: Encouraging children to use words to express needs, desires, and emotions, fostering the development of two- to three-word sentences.
Listening Skills: Supporting the ability to follow simple directions and respond to questions.
Imitative Speech: Encouraging imitation of sounds, words, and simple phrases to build language skills.
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Attachment and Trust: Building secure relationships with caregivers and teachers, fostering a sense of safety and trust.
Social Interaction: Introducing group play to encourage sharing, taking turns, and interacting with peers in a positive way.
Emotional Expression: Helping children identify and express their emotions, and beginning to understand others' feelings.
Play Skills: Introducing parallel play, imaginative play and sensory play
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Routine and Structure: Introducing daily routines (e.g., snack time, nap time) that help children feel secure and understand the flow of the day.
Self-Care Skills: Practicing proper handwashing, developing independent eating skills, and encouraging healthy hygiene routines.
Choice-Making: Providing opportunities for children to make simple choices, fostering independence and decision-making.
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Exploration and Curiosity: Encouraging exploration through play, helping children learn about the world around them.
Early Problem-Solving Skills: Supporting basic problem-solving through activities like simple puzzles, stacking blocks, or cause-and-effect toys.
Language Development: Expanding vocabulary through exposure to books, songs, and conversation, encouraging the use of simple sentences.
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Personalized Learning Plans: Development and implementation of Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) tailored to each child’s specific needs and abilities.
Strength-Based Approach: Focusing on and nurturing the child’s unique strengths and interests to encourage learning and development.
Adaptive Learning Strategies: Using various teaching methods and tools (e.g., visual aids, sensory tools) that accommodate different learning styles and needs.
Discovery
For children turning 4 on or before December 31
5 half-days per week | September–June
In the Classroom:
Play-based learning using the Flight curriculum
Small group sizes with caring, skilled educators
Focus on kindergarten readiness, communication, social-emotional skills, and individualized learning goals
Beyond the Classroom:
Access to our skilled interdisciplinary team (speech and language support, behaviour consultation, occupational therapy)
Family support services from our Family Engagement Team
Learning Beyond the Classroom experiences are a required part of the program and are led by a certificated teacher, connecting school and home learning to support each child’s Individual Program Plan (IPP)
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School Readiness: Preparing children socially, emotionally, and with foundational skills to succeed in kindergarten.
Routine and Structure: Familiarity with the structure of a school day, following rules, and adhering to routines.
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Verbal Communication: Ability to express thoughts, needs, and feelings clearly.
Listening Skills: Understanding and following directions, engaging in conversations.
Vocabulary Expansion: Learning new words and using them in context.
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Self-Regulation: Ability to manage emotions, control impulses, and exhibit patience.
Social Interaction: Developing friendships, sharing, and cooperating with peers.
Empathy: Understanding and respecting others' feelings and perspectives.
Confidence and Independence: Building self-esteem and the ability to complete tasks independently.
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Problem-Solving: Ability to think critically and solve age-appropriate puzzles or challenges.
Attention and Focus: Developing the ability to concentrate on tasks for extended periods.
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Personalized Learning Plans: Development and implementation of Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) tailored to each child’s specific needs and abilities.
Strength-Based Approach: Focusing on and nurturing the child’s unique strengths and interests to encourage learning and development.
Adaptive Learning Strategies: Using various teaching methods and tools (e.g., visual aids, sensory tools) that accommodate different learning styles and needs.
*Our Family Engagement Team determines program details for each child—including location, days, and times—based on availability, classroom capacity, and program resources. This is communicated to ABC parents in late August, just before the school year begins. While we understand the need for flexibility, we are not always able to accommodate individual requests.
Early Learning Classroom Support
Classroom programming: Children are placed in a half-day program based on their age as of December 31:
Children turning 3 join a 2-day-per-week program (Exploration).
Children turning 4 join a 5-day-per-week program (Discovery).
Play-based and culturally responsive curriculum
Skilled and passionate educators
Evidence-based teaching strategies
Emphasis on movement through indoor gross motor spaces and outdoor playgrounds where available
Healthy snacks provided daily
Health screenings through the Alberta Head Start Health Team
Classroom visits from community partners, including the Edmonton Public Library, community leagues, and more
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Through Learning Beyond the Classroom, children and families have the opportunity to extend learning into the home and community. These sessions are intentionally planned by the certificated teacher, often with input from our resource team, and are customized to support each child’s Individual Program Plan (IPP).
Activities might include:
Teacher/parent/child sessions in the home
Library visits, nature walks, or cultural centre experiences
Targeted support with a speech-language pathologist, behaviour consultant, or occupational therapist
For children in our Discovery program, Learning Beyond the Classroom is a required part of the program. For Explorers, these experiences may also be offered based on the needs of the child and family. In all cases, family participation is key — children make the most progress when parents are actively involved in these sessions.
Family Resources & Support
We recognize that strong, connected families are key to children’s success. Our Family Engagement Team offers parenting support, family groups, and individualized guidance to help families build resilience and navigate life’s challenges. We believe parents are their child’s first teachers and work closely with them to provide strategies that can be used at home, at school, and in the community. Our goal is to help families thrive, not just during their time at ABC Head Start but long after.
Support from a registered social worker who will walk alongside your family
Help with food security and meeting other basic needs
Connection and supported referrals to other community services that can help your child and family
Parenting support groups that help you meet other families and build a natural support network in your community.
Access to sports and recreational event tickets through Kids Up Front
