Providence Child Development Society

The Providence Child Development Society is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing specialized educational and therapeutic programs for young children with disabilities and developmental delays. Established in 1943, the organization primarily serves children aged 19 months to six years in Calgary, Alberta, and surrounding areas, aiming to help each child reach their full potential through individualized support and intervention.

History

Founded in 1943, Providence has a longstanding history of supporting children with disabilities in the Calgary community. Over the decades, it has grown from a small initiative into a leading provider of early childhood developmental services. Significant milestones include expanding to multiple preschool locations and evolving its service offerings to meet community needs, including therapeutic and inclusive childcare programs.

Programs and Services

Providence operates six preschools throughout Calgary, offering educational and therapeutic services delivered by multidisciplinary teams comprising certified teachers, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and educational assistants. These professionals collaborate directly in classroom settings to provide comprehensive, intensive support tailored to each child's needs.

The Society also provides community-based programs, such as:

• LEARN Program: Offers educational and therapeutic support within eligible child care programs.
• Inclusive Child Care (ICC) Program: A free initiative that assists licensed childcare centers, approved family day homes, and out-of-school care programs in Calgary and Fort McMurray to implement inclusive practices for children with special needs.
• Expanding Capacity and Learner Supports (ECLS): Provides training, resources, and direct services to educators and staff in independent and private schools from Kindergarten through Grade 12 to better support students with developmental challenges.

In addition, Providence is a contracted service provider for the government-funded Supported Child Care program, which supports childcare programs in including children with extra needs.

Mission and Values

The Society’s mission is to work collaboratively with children, families, and communities to support the well-being and development of all children. Providence emphasizes the following core values:

• Passion: Commitment to applying skills and energy to provide exceptional care.
• Respect: Valuing children, families, staff, and community stakeholders.
• Learning: Dedication to lifelong learning and continuous improvement.
• Leadership: Promoting knowledge-sharing, best practices, and innovation.

Impact

Serving over 1,600 children annually through its various educational and therapeutic programs, Providence has become a vital resource for families of children with disabilities in Calgary and beyond. Its inclusive approach and collaborative model foster a supportive environment where children can thrive and build foundations for lifelong success.

Recent Developments

Providence continues to expand its capacity and reach, including the acquisition of a new school location, Providence Northmount, in the Cambrian Heights community. The organization also focuses on integrating advanced administrative systems to enhance its operational efficiency and support for families.

Registration

Providence Child Development Society operates under the business registration number 107862385RR0001, recognized as a charitable organization in Canada.

This overview highlights Providence Child Development Society's commitment to early childhood development for children with special needs, its history, comprehensive programming, and ongoing impact within the Calgary community.