The Urban Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) Preschool Program helps Aboriginal families create a solid foundation for lifelong learning through preschool programming and outreach services. The curriculum is based on First Nations traditions and culture, best practices in early childhood development, and an adapted approach to the Saskatchewan “Play and Exploration” Program Guidebook.
STC’s Aboriginal Head Start “Learning Lodge” preschool program is based on six components:
Culture/Language
Parental Involvement
Nutrition
Health and Safety
Social Support
Education.
The preschool program has a group capacity of 24 children (3 and 4-year-olds) and offers full-day programming (AM & PM classes), Monday to Thursday. The Head Start Teacher and two Bus drivers/ Program Assistants provide the following:
Cultural-based and land-based programs – indoors and outdoors in their new house and yard.
Access to Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy services.
Excursions to Wanuskewin and other locations.
Free transportation. (limited due to transportation capacity)
Meals and Snacks.
Cultural-based and land-based programs – indoors and outdoors in their new house and yard.
Access to Speech-Language and Occupational Therapy services.
Excursions to Wanuskewin and other locations.
Free transportation. (limited due to transportation capacity)
Meals and Snacks.
Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) Home Visitor
The Home Visiting and outreach program for families, also based on the six AHS components, provides the following:
Support to access community resources.
Parent groups and home outreach.
Private Facebook with community information, learning videos, parenting, and child development information.
Center-based parent/child days on Fridays.
The Early Childhood Development Program Manager and the Director of Education provide supervisory support and technical assistance for the Urban Aboriginal Head Start Program.