Early Childhood Services

Providing preschool and kindergarten education for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind children and Children of Deaf Adults (CODAs)

Program Information

Who Qualifies

Children who qualify for funding through Alberta Education (Ex: PUF, moderate or mild funding)
Children with permanent hearing loss, including:
- mild to profound hearing loss
- unilateral hearing losses
- children with cochlear implants
- complex/additional needs
Children who have Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind
parents or family members
- Children of Deaf adults (CODA)
- Siblings of Deaf adults (SODA)
- Grandchildren of Deaf adults (GODA)
Children must be at least 2 years 8 months and not yet
6 years, as of September 1st
Please note: we have limited space available for children who do not meet Alberta Education requirements

Referrals and inquires can be made by contacting ecs@connectsociety.org

What Does the Program Offer My Child?

Our program helps children develop strong language skills and strategies for effective communication with their families and in educational and community settings. Classes are Monday through Thursday, 8:45am – 2:00 pm and include: language enriched classroom instruction
Classroom environments that support and encourage a child’s whole development, with an emphasis on speech and language skills, social interaction and an early literacy focused curriculum
Opportunities for teacher-led activities, centre-based discovery learning, free play, small group projects, gross motor and fine motor activities
Parents determine the language services that their child receives whether it be oral language, sign language or a combination of both!

What Does the Program Offer Me As A Parent?

Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit their child’s classroom and connect with program staff

Meet the Team

The Early Childhood Services staff are experienced and knowledgeable
about early childhood development, deafness, and its effects on communication, social/emotional growth, and academic skills.
The team includes Alberta-certified teachers, Speech-Language
Pathologists, educational assistants, and an American Sign Language Specialist. Occupational and Physical Therapists
work on site as needed.

Our team can connect you with our Family Support Program
if you want to meet with a Family Support Consultant or
learn American Sign Language.

To contact a team member from Early Childhood Services, please email: ecs@connectsociety.org

2026-2027 Early Childhood Services Registration Now Open!

Who Qualifies

Children who qualify for funding through Alberta Education (Ex: PUF, moderate or mild funding)

Children with permanent hearing loss, including:

mild to profound hearing loss
unilateral hearing losses
children with cochlear implants
complex/additional needs

Children who have Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind
parents or family members

Children of Deaf adults (CODA)
Siblings of Deaf adults (SODA)
Grandchildren of Deaf adults (GODA)

Children must be at least 2 years 8 months and not yet
6 years, as of September 1st

Please note: we have limited space available for children who do not meet Alberta Education requirements

Referrals and inquires can be made by contacting ecs@connectsociety.org

Meet the Team

Our team can connect you with our Family Support Program
if you want to meet with a Family Support Consultant or
learn American Sign Language.

To contact a team member from Early Childhood Services, please email: ecs@connectsociety.org