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. 

Applications are closed for the 2024/25 program year. We will start taking new applications on February 10, 2025 for the 2025/26 program year.

Head Start is an inclusive, classroom-based early learning program designed to support children turning 3 or 4 by December 31, and runs September to June. We provide half-day preschool programming that runs from September to June, 3 to 4 days per week. Busing may be available to eligible students. 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 interdisciplinary team of certified teachers, early childhood educators, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavioral specialists works together to support children with a wide range of learning needs. We believe that play is a fundamental part of learning, helping children explore, express, and understand the world around them. Each child receives a personalized learning plan tailored to their unique strengths and developmental goals. 

Discovery

(for children turning 4 by December 31, and runs September to June)

Program outcomes:

    • School Readiness: Ensuring children are prepared academically, socially, and emotionally for the transition to kindergarten.

    • Routine and Structure: Familiarity with the structure of a school day, following rules, and adhering to routines.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • 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.

Explorations

(for children turning 3 by December 31, and runs September to June)

Program outcomes:

    • 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.

    • 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

    • 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: Encouraging basic self-help skills such as washing hands, beginning toilet training, and feeding themselves.

    • Choice-Making: Providing opportunities for children to make simple choices, fostering independence and decision-making.

    • 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.

    • 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.

Connections

(for children turning 4 by December 31, and runs September to June)

Program outcomes:

    • Sensory Processing Support: Creating a sensory-friendly environment that helps children manage sensory sensitivities and encourages sensory exploration in a comfortable manner.

    • Gross and Fine Motor Skill Development: Tailored activities that promote motor skill development while considering sensory and physical needs, such as using weighted tools or adaptive equipment.

    • Body Awareness and Coordination: Activities that improve spatial awareness, balance, and coordination, adjusted to the child’s individual sensory profile.

    • Social Interaction Skills: Supporting the development of appropriate social behaviors and peer interactions, such as sharing, turn-taking, and playing alongside or with other children.

    • Joint Attention: Encouraging shared attention on activities or objects, a key milestone for communication and social interaction, through games, storytime, or guided play.

    • Active Engagement: Promoting active participation in group activities or one-on-one interactions, ensuring the child is meaningfully engaged rather than passive or withdrawn.

    • Peer Integration: Facilitating play and social learning opportunities with both neurodivergent and neurotypical peers, promoting inclusive social development.

    • Kindergarten Readiness: Preparing children for the transition to kindergarten, with a focus on social, emotional, and academic skills suited to their developmental level.

    • Routine and Predictability: Helping children become accustomed to school routines, transitions, and expectations in a way that reduces anxiety and increases comfort.

    • Parental and Caregiver Collaboration: Working closely with families to ensure consistency between home and school, and providing them with resources and support for ongoing development

    • Speech and Language Development: Providing speech therapy or alternative communication systems (e.g., AAC devices) to support language development and effective communication.

    • Listening and Understanding: Enhancing receptive language skills, ensuring instructions and communication are clear and accessible.

    • Expressive Language: Encouraging self-expression through various means, whether verbal, non-verbal, or through creative outlets.

    • 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.

 
 

What We Offer 

  • 2 and 4 half-day options (for children turning 3 or 4 by December 31, and runs September to June)

  • Play-based and culturally responsive program 

  • Skilled and passionate educators 

  • Evidence-based strategies 

  • Access to indoor gym and outdoor play 

  • Healthy snacks 

  • Children’s health screenings from Alberta Head Start Health Team 

  • Access to sport and recreational event tickets from Kids Up Front 

  • Access to nutritious, child-friendly food packs in the summer from After the Bell-Food Bank Edmonton 

  • Classroom visits from community partners, including the Edmonton Public Library, community league, etc. 

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. 

  • 10-months of 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. 

 

Locations

Currently, ABC Head Start has classrooms and family programming at the following locations:

 

Mill Woods Town Centre

Located in Mill Woods Town Centre
2331 66 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6K 4B5

 

Millbourne Market Mall

Located in Millbourne Market Mall
3699 Millwoods Road, Edmonton, AB T6K 2N2

 

Delwood School

Located in North Edmonton
7315 Delwood Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T5C 3A9
Door G

 
 

Centre for Community Inclusion

Located in Westmount
11130 131 Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T5M 1C1

 

Montrose School

11931 62 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5W 4C7

 
 

Ready to take the next steps?

If you’re ready to apply, start the application process. If you’re still not sure which program is right for your child, take our survey.