PUF Pre-Kindergarten
The Grande Prairie Public School Division (GPPSD) offers Program Unit Funded (PUF) Pre-Kindergarten programs for children diagnosed with moderate to severe language delay and/or disability by a qualified professional (pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, speak-language pathologist) and meets the Alberta Education Special Education Coding Criteria.
Program spaces may be available to children diagnosed with a mild, moderate or severe language delay and/or disability and meet the Alberta Education Special Education Coding Criteria.
Application Period
Applications are typically accepted at the end of April of each year for the upcoming school year. Please see the application process below.
Child's age for PUF programming within GPPSD
Based on Alberta Education Coding criteria, children:
- With moderate to severe delays and/or disabilities need to be between the ages of 3 to 4 years of age as of December 31st of the current calendar year the child is being registered.
- With a mild delay and/or disability may qualify if they are 4 years of age of December 31st of the calendar year in which the child is being registered.
How does my child qualify for a PUF Pre-Kindergarten Program?
To qualify, a child must be assessed and diagnosed with moderate to severe language delays and/or disability by a qualified professional (pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, speech-language pathologist) and meet the Alberta Education Special Education Coding criteria.
Children assessed and diagnosed with a mild delay by a qualified professional may also qualify for placement, depending on capacity and based on Alberta Education Coding criteria.
If your child has a report from a qualified professional dated after March 1st of the current year, please contact the Grande Prairie Public School Division office or the PUF Program Lead at 780-539-4865.
How do I apply to have my child attend the PUF Pre-Kindergarten Program?
Step 1: Send Assessment Report via Email
Once your child has received an assessment and diagnosis by a qualified professional (see list above), the assessment report must be shared with the Grande Prairie Public School Division's PUF Unit Lead, email below.
Families who have questions regarding assessments, please email the PUF Lead.
PUF Unit Lead Email
Step 2: Complete the Registration Form via Email Link
Children who qualify for PUF programming will be accepted as a Program Unit Funded (PUF) Student, or Base-Funded Student (Mild Diagnosis).
Once accepted, families will receive an email from GPPSD with details, including a link to SchoolEngage and instructions on registering their child.
Please contact the Administrative Assistant of your child's assigned school for registration support.
Programs follow the Grande Prairie Public School Division year calendar and operate daily for a morning or afternoon class at Crystal Park School or Swanavon School.
GPPSD's PUF Pre-Kindergarten Programs are child-centred, play-based and developmentally appropriate, providing a language-rich learning environment where children can participate, progress and achieve.
Children receive direct teaching from a certified teacher for some activities and may receive direct therapy from an educational assistant supervised by a speech-language pathologist. Teachers work collaboratively with a Multi-Disciplinary Team and GPPSD Early Learning staff to design and deliver individual and group programming focus on:
- language development
- communication strategies
- early literacy and numeracy skills
- physical activities
- social skills
- self-regulation strategies
PUF Pre-Kindergarten Programs may be available to children for one or two years of programming, depending on the child's needs and eligibility.
As part of the PUF Pre-Kindergarten program, we offer opportunities for Play Partner students. These children are of the same age and are developing strong skills in language, self-help and social interactions. They act as valuable play, language, and behaviour role models for students in the PUF Pre-Kindergarten Program. For more information, click HERE.
CONTACT US:
Nicole Lavallee,
Program Lead
PUF@gppsd.ab.ca
780-532-4491
