Early Learning

An Excellent Start for Learning

The Board understands the need for each child to be given an excellent start to learning with a focus on socialization, healthy living and healthy interactions, a process of inquiry, discovery, and excitement.  Therefore, we provide junior kindergarten programs for 4 year olds (3 year old may be accepted if space is available) and full day kindergarten programming for 5 year olds.   

Full Day Kindergarten Programming

Our schools, Vanier Community Catholic School (Edson), Ecole St. Mary School (Whitecourt), and St. Mary of the Lake (Slave Lake), offer full day kindergarten programming at no extra cost to the family. Ecole St. Mary also offers Kindergarten in French Immersion.Half of the day is spent with their Kindergarten teacher completing the program of studies and half of the day is spent with our Early Childhood facilitator completing enhancement activities to reinforce the program of studies. 

PUF

Alberta Education’s Program Unit Funding (PUF) is for students younger than 4 years 8 months on the first day of school. Students would meet the criteria in the Special Education Coding Criteria for severe disabilities qualify for speech language pathology and/or occupational therapy services.  

Kindergarten students are now part of the Special Learning Grant rather than PUF. For more information, please contact the principal or inclusive education lead at your community school.