If you have concerns with regards to your preschool-aged child’s development, please feel free to contact us. If your child has already been assessed, and is eligible for funding, we can provide support to them in their preschool or childcare classroom. If your child is registered in a preschool or childcare centre, contact us to determine if your child might be eligible for additional supports. If your child is not yet registered in a preschool or childcare centre, please contact us to discuss your options.
Please send us an email with your contact details and your child’s first name, last name, and date of birth to info@kidsds.org or call us on 403.452.6745 and we will be happy to assist you.
Providing Early Childhood Services
Kids Developmental Services strongly believes in and follows the principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practice. All children will receive educational programming that is based on a thorough knowledge of child development and a solid understanding of individual children’s growth patterns, strengths, interests, and experiences.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice and programming emphasizes child-initiated activities, learning through structured and purposeful child-led play, integrated learning activities across developmental domains, and active engagement with the learning and social environment.
Young children identified with exceptionalities may require additional supports, accommodations and adaptations to general early childhood programming.
With our values of passion, child centredness, integrity, playfulness and collaboration; we commit to support the growth and development of our play-based early intervention community; in support of accountable leadership that facilitates innovation.
Our Philosophy
Kids Developmental Services is a private Early Childhood Services (ECS) Operator which is funded by Alberta Education. Our mission is to collaboratively create a developmentally appropriate and individualised educational program for each child that encompasses their strengths to support their areas of need, in a play-based and inclusive learning environment.
We believe that all children have unlimited potential; creative minds; and a playful nature.
Teaching children and families to play, learn, and grow together.
Our Approach
Eligibility
Children between the age of 2 years 8 months and 5 years 8 months, on September 1st of the academic year, may be eligible to receive support services within their preschool or childcare centre and kindergarten classrooms.
Children aged 2 years 8 months on September 1st of the academic year, may be eligible for Program Unit Funding (PUF) if they meet eligibility criteria following a standardised assessment.
Children aged 3 years 8 months on September 1st of the academic year, may be eligible for Mild Moderate Funding (MM) or funding for English Second Language Learners (ESL), if they meet eligibility criteria following a standardised assessment.
Prioritisation
Alberta Education has prioritised the identification and remediation of Severe, Mild, Moderate, and English Second Language Learners’ needs by funding services prior to the child’s entry into Elementary School.
All children receiving services from Kids Developmental Services are offered and have access to a full program i.e. 400 hours for children accessing PUF; and 475 hours of programming for children accessing MM and ESL funding. Alberta Education’s philosophy of Family Oriented Decision Making, allows parents to develop programming that suits the needs of their child and their family.
Programming
Young children learn best when programming meets their developmental needs and occurs in their natural environment with same aged peers.
Development
Early childhood intervention with preschool-aged children identified with exceptionalities, helps them to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that prepare them for later learning.
Your Child's Program
Team Members could Include
- Families and their Children
- Community Preschools or Child Care Centres
- Alberta Certificated Teachers
- Developmental Assistants
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Child Development Specialists
Programming may Include
- Online registration and access to the child’s programming documentation using SchoolCloud
- Standardised screening and assessment
- Individualised Program Plan developed and written by an Alberta Certificated Teacher
- Individualised support in the classroom
- Developmentally appropriate programming and practice
- Programming sessions in the home to support the child and family
- KiDS PlayTime – a community-based social group
- Positive Discipline Parenting workshops and support groups
- Additional support in the home using the Teleroo™ platform
What To Expect..
Teams consist of families, preschools, and professionals. Your child’s team starts with you and the preschool or childcare centre they attend. Each member of your child’s team has the same goal – to see your child develop to their full potential in a play-based, natural, fully inclusive and developmentally appropriate environment.
Any child receiving services from Kids Developmental Services may attend KiDS PlayTime. These are social groups that take place in community libraries, centres, parks, playgrounds and any venue in the community that attracts preschool-aged children. Early Intervention Team members join KiDS PlayTime on a rotational basis which provides them with the opportunity to work on children’s goals in a small group environment, while determining whether the child is transferring the skills learnt into their natural environment whilst interacting with typically developing children of the same age.
KiDS PlayTime includes outdoor exploration and risky play, child-led play, interaction with loose parts, as well as socialisation with children in the community, whenever possible. Parents are invited to join KiDS PlayTime sessions to learn skills to use with their child; to ask professionals questions; and to see the progress their child has made in their natural environment.