Head Start

Recognizing strengths, supporting needs

"A child learns more in a day at preschool than an adult learns in a month at college" - Dr. Bruce Perry

CALS Head Start envisions a community where every child has the opportunity to achieve to his/her potential

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​In collaboration with Vegreville Preschool, the Head Start program aims to create an inclusive learning environment where every child has the opportunity to achieve to his/her potential. As a team, we provide a 3-year old program, Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and a 4-year old program (4 half days or 2 full days) from Monday to Thursday.
Head Start acts as a hub for parents, teachers, and specialists to pool their resources while addressing potential barriers to school success. Children in the Head Start program may be need support in one or more of the following areas: 

• expressive and/or receptive language development;
• English language development (ELL)  
• speech sound production;
• fine and/or gross motor development;
• social-emotional competence and/or self-regulation skills; and   
• support for families facing socio-economic constraints.   

 Head Start recognizes that families are unique and have individual strengths. We invite families to share these differences by hosting Family Friday events and facilitating positive parenting (Triple P) workshops. We also provide support for accessing specialized services (Glenrose Preschool Screening, Family Support for Children with Disabilities - FSCD) and community resources (Alberta Health Services, FCSS, Family Resource Network, Family Literacy). 
The Head Start team works with a Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, and Physical Therapist to individualize instruction for each child. Head Start sessions incorporate one-on-one and small group activities to develop language and thinking skills and exercise big and small muscles (e.g. obstacle courses and fine motor tasks). 
There is no cost to families enrolled in the Head Start program. Transportation is also available for students who require assistance.

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Centre-Based Programming

​The Head Start team works together to individualize instruction for each child to support his/her strengths, needs and overall development.
Each Head Start session incorporates individual and small group activities specifically designed to
· build language and thinking skills,
· promote early literacy and math skills,
· exercise big and small muscles (e.g. obstacle courses and fine motor tasks). 

Family Based Programming

Head Start has been developed to include families in meaningful ways. Head Start believes that:
 
Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, nurturer and advocate.
Parenting is challenging. We support your parenting within your family and community by coordinating Triple P Positive parenting sessions for families.
All families are unique and have individual strengths. Head Start serves families from a wide variety of cultures and with many life experiences.
 

Family Fridays

Head Start invites families to share these strengths and experiences with one another by hosting “Family Friday” events.  On the last Friday of the month, Head Start children, parents and younger siblings are invited to participate in these 90-minute sessions led by Head Start staff.

TBA- Certain Families Fridays, families will have the opportunity to participate in centers led by our team of specialists. There will be a Speech and Language center, an Occupational Therapy center (focusing on fine motor skills), and a Physical Therapy center (gross motor skills).  As your child moves through these centers, you will have the opportunity to speak with the specialists directly about his/her particular needs and learning goals

Meet the Staff

Preschool Educator- Brittanie Van Giersbergen (Mrs V)
Educational Assistant Coordinator - Mrs Dicks
Educational Assistants - Mrs. T, Mrs. M, Mrs. H. Mrs. S, Mrs. Seniuk

Programming operates from September through June.
Program times:
​Monday-Friday 8:00-12:00 pm
Monday-Thursday 12:00-3:30 pm
Tuesday & Thursday – 8:00-3:30 pm

For more information please contact:
Jen Dixon,
780-632-3225 or ED@vcals.org
 

The Head Start Program follows the EIPS School Calendar
September
September 30- No classes
​October
Thanksgiving: October 9
November
Fall Break- November 6-10
December 
Christmas/Winter Break: December 25- January 5
January
School Resumes on January 8
February
Family Day: February 19
March
Spring Break: March 25-March 29
April
Easter: April 1
May
May Long: May 20
June
June 14- Last Day of Classes

Program and classes still run during EIPS scheduled PD days.
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Head Start programming is made possible through funding from Child and Family Services Authority, Alberta Learning, and Charitable Donations.