• I’m for Kids Team is a Community-Based Early Intervention Program for children ages 2½ to 6 years with a play-based approach and developmentally-appropriate programming.

• Each child/ family becomes part of a Multi-Disciplinary Instructional Team consisting of Speech Language Pathologist (S.L.P), Occupational Therapist (O.T.), Physical Therapist (P.T.), Psychologist (Psych.), Special Needs Assistant (SNA), Therapy Support Assistant (TSA), and Program Coordinator (Special Education Teacher).

• Our Service Delivery Model supports the inclusion of our assigned children into their respective community preschools. We currently have partnerships with over 65 private preschools: Okotoks, Airdrie, Crossfield, Strathmore, Chestermere, and all 4 quadrants of Calgary.

• All programming decisions for each child are made in the “Best Interests of the Child” philosophy and in collaboration with the parents and the child’s Instructional Team.

• All Special Needs Assistants (SNA) have post-secondary education and/or extensive experience in Early. Childhood settings and attend mandatory monthly training sessions to enhance existing skills and talents.

• I’m for Kids Team’s Professional Team consists mainly of full-time/ part-time staff of Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Psychologists. Each team member is carefully selected on education, experience and passion for children.

• We celebrate each child’s successes “one step at a time”.

• Our primary goal for each child is to prepare them for more formalized learning in Kindergarten or Grade One.

• We plan extensive transitions for each child moving on to the public/private school systems or on to a new private ECS Operator.

• Our team model is unique and exemplary in its work and in its commitment to our children, families, private preschools and colleagues. Our passion is contagious!

The goal of an inclusive education system is to provide all students with the most appropriate learning environments and opportunities for them to best achieve their potential. Inclusion is about ensuring that each student belongs and receives a quality education/experience no matter their ability, disability, language, cultural background, gender, or age. An inclusive education system is best realized when leadership is shared between school, home and family.  Schools reflect the attitudes, beliefs and health of the communities they serve and must be equipped to reflect inclusive practice.

Adapted Fromhttp://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/inclusion/about.aspx

Through play children explore their world, discover how to get along with others, test their skills and muscles, try out new ideas, and feel competent enough to try different activities (i.e. we utilize a multisensory teaching model to enhance learning). Curiosity, Self-esteem, Language, Problem Solving, Cooperation, Endurance are just a few of the many kinds of learning involved in play. Adults can encourage children to play in ways that are valuable by setting the stage for them and, when appropriate, extending the children’s ideas during play.

Visit www.imforkids.org for more information.

Friends Pizza

Friends Pizza & Pasta is a local favourite located in Vista Heights. They’ve supported the preschool at various functions from fundraising to lunches.

Bay 312 – 2066 18 AVE NE, Calgary AB, T2E 8N5
403-374-3637

https://www.friendspizzapasta.com/

friendspizzapasta@outlook.com