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Community Preschool Education

Ages 2 years, 8 months - 5 years

Early intervention support in community settings for children with developmental delays.

Our CPE program offers services for preschool aged children by providing support in the community site of your choice (daycare or preschool). Our program is funded by Alberta Education Program Unit Funding (PUF). Children with diagnosed developmental delays, disorders, and medical diagnoses that impact their ability to successfully participate in their classroom and community settings may be eligible for services.  As PUF services are provided through Alberta Education, services follow the school year calendar. Children receive services from September to June. Our program does not operate on statutory holidays, winter break or spring break.

We come to you: Our team of professionals provides support in the community setting of your choice, whether that be a daycare, preschool or dayhome.

Family-centered program: Parents and families are the keys to a child's success! We offer Family Support Services for the whole family and our team works together with you to fully develop your child's potential.

*Community Options is unable to provide support in kindergarten. Please speak to your child’s school about available supports.  



Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now closed.

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year will open in spring 2026.


About the CPE Program

Community Options’ Community Preschool Education (CPE) Program provides inclusive, individualized early intervention for children with diagnosed developmental delays, disabilities, disorders or medical conditions. Funded through Alberta Education’s Program Unit Funding (PUF), CPE services are delivered directly in your child’s daycare, preschool or dayhome, supporting them where they learn and grow every day. We focus on helping children succeed in their current classroom environments, not just preparing them for kindergarten.

Each child is supported by a multidisciplinary learning team tailored to their unique needs. This team may include:

  • Coordinating Teachers (your main point of contact)
  • Speech Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • Therapy Assistants or Speech and Language Assistants
  • Educational Assistants (EAs)

These professionals work together to develop and deliver a customized service plan called an Individual Program Plan (IPP). The IPP outlines specific developmental goals and strategies that the team supports through regular visits, coaching and collaboration with your child’s caregivers and educators.


Depending on your child’s needs, support may include:

  • Enhancing communication, play and social skills
  • Building daily living skills like dressing or toileting
  • Strengthening fine and gross motor abilities
  • Supporting emotional regulation and behaviour
  • Increasing participation and independence in the classroom

The level and type of support are flexible and responsive, evolving throughout the year to best meet your child’s progress and environment.

At CPE, we believe in empowering children to learn, connect and thrive right where they are.

Program Details

What is PUF?
Program Unit Funding, or PUF, is provided by Alberta Education to school authorities for children with developmental disabilities who require additional support beyond what is typically offered in a regular Early Childhood Services (ECS) program. PUF is not just about preparing children for kindergarten. It provides individualized early intervention that helps children succeed in their current classroom setting, build essential skills, and fully participate in learning alongside their peers.

What does PUF offer?
PUF programs are offered in either site-based or community-based ECS agencies. Eligible children receive PUF services through one agency of the family’s choice. Community agencies, such as Community Options, provide services in a community daycare/preschool of the parent’s choice whereas site-based agencies provide services in their agency classrooms where all students are receiving support. An individual program plan (IPP) is created and tailored to each child to address their specific learning needs. The team working with the child will use the IPP to set goals and guide how they support the child in their classroom environment.

How to access PUF
Families can contact an ECS provider to apply for PUF services, and the provider can determine eligibility. Alberta Education has specific criteria that children must meet to fit a special education code to receive services. Children may be eligible for up to 2 years of PUF prior to entering kindergarten.

Eligibility 

  • Children aged 2 years, 8 months - 5 years
  • Children must meet Program Unit Funding criteria as set by Alberta Education
  • Children must have a formal diagnosis of a severe disability or developmental delay, or a report from a qualified therapist indicating severe delays in key developmental areas.
  • Our 2025-2026 program serves children with birthdays between September 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022, who will not be attending Kindergarten in September 2025.
  • Your child must be registered in a community daycare, licensed dayhome, or preschool program by September 2025 in order to receive services.
  • Community Options has limited space available for children presenting with mild-moderate speech/language difficulties.


The application form will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete, and will require you to submit information about:

  • Personal and contact information for your child and family
  • Program that your child will attend
  • Any previous assessments your child has completed
  • Languages spoken in your home
  • What concerns you have about your child’s development


Next steps may include completing an assessment, registering for our services, or a referral to other community resources.
*Translation and interpretation services are available if needed to guide you through the application process.

Feel free to contact our staff for any assistance with the application form at ecs@communityoptions.ab.ca or phone at 780-455-1818. 

Please note: completing the application does not guarantee your child will be assessed or accepted into our program.


Apply for the CPE program

Once we receive your application form, a member of our assessment team will be in touch with you within 7 business days to discuss the next steps for your child.

This may include:

  • Obtaining additional documentation if your child has seen other health professionals
  • Asking you to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQs) as a screening measure
  • Completing an assessment with your child

This information is gathered to determine whether your child is eligible for PUF services through Alberta Education.


*Please Note:
Completing the above steps does not guarantee an assessment. It is a process for us to determine if an assessment is the appropriate course of action for your child.

Our assessment team could also provide an appropriate professional or an assessment that will be administered by one of our Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP), Occupational Therapists (OT), and/or Physical Therapists (PT).


​​

If we determine your child is eligible for PUF services, we will contact you to complete a registration form.

Registering with us means that you are choosing Community Options as your PUF provider. In order to complete your registration:

  • You must complete the registration form we send you (online or paper copy available)
  • Your child must be registered in a licensed dayhome, daycare or preschool in September 2025
  • You must provide a copy of your child’s Birth Certificate

You will then receive confirmation of your registration. You will receive information from your child’s learning team in early September about the provision of services for the school year.

Programming & Philosophy

Community Preschool Education


We will work together with you to create an Individual Program Plan (IPP) that will cater to your child's specific needs at their daycare, licensed dayhome, or preschool program of your choice.

Our team will visit your child in their program on a regular basis to work towards achieving the goals developed with you for their IPP.

Family
Involvement

We believe in and foster the philosophy that families are the most informed educators in a child's life. Family involvement creates a seamless network of care that supports a child’s growth and learning at home and in their everyday environments.

We support the family unit through inclusive programming and meaningful celebrations. These events engage not only the child but also the family in building a strong sense of community as we discover and explore together. We host Parent Programming Opportunities, Alumni events, and have a TAPP Lending Library of apraxia-themed resources to further support and engage our families.

Relationships with families are nurtured through regular communication, including daily conversations, newsletters, and volunteer opportunities.

Multidisciplinary
Learning Team

Our CPE program uses a multidisciplinary learning team to promote each child’s optimal development. This team includes Certified Coordinating Teachers, EA (Educational Assistants), Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Family Support Workers, Therapy Assistants, Speech and Language Assistants, and other specialized supports tailored to each child’s needs. Together, we’re creating inclusive, supportive environments where every child can thrive.

 Multidisciplinary Learning Team



Contact

Phone
780-455-1818

Email
ecs@communityoptions.ab.ca

Program Hours

September - June
Monday to Friday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Eligibility

Children aged
2 years, 8 months - 5 years who fall under the PUF program criteria noted above.

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Parent
Testimonial

“Community Options has been wonderful to work with! My child is supported with his severe speech delay by a team of people who have each been responsive and positive. He has made huge gains this year and enjoys the activities they engage him in to meet his goals. The team has been proactive in ensuring appropriate support continues as he transitions into kindergarten in the fall and we are much appreciative of having this wrap-around support during these early years.”

View More Testimonials



We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the YMCA of Northern Alberta!

Through this collaboration, our Community Options Community Preschool Education (CPE) program will be available in YMCA Child Care Centres across Edmonton. This exciting expansion allows us to support more children in making friends, building confidence, and discovering the world around them—all within their own community setting.

Want more information about our Community Preschool Education Program?

Fill out the form to learn more about the Community Preschool Education (CPE) Program.  Our team will get back to you as soon as we can!

You can also reach us at: 780-455-1818

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