Head Start Preschool Program
Oki! The Siksika Head Start Preschool Program provides a comprehensive early intervention initiative that addresses the developmental needs of young learners within the Siksika Nation, also referred to as Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve (AHSOR).
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us at 403-734-5755. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 4:30pm. We are closed on statutory holidays and certain designated holidays, including Professional Development (PD) days, Staff Development Days, and some other events. Alternatively, you may contact us via email at headstart@siksikahealth.com
The Siksika Head Start Preschool Program offers a warm, nurturing early childhood educational environment designed for children aged 3 to 4 years old.
Our primary objective with Head Start is to prepare children of the First Nation (Siksika Nation) to feel confident and ready for school. Our programs are developed by and for our local community. We provide compassionate support by applying best practices in Early Childhood Education to foster social, emotional, and cognitive development, all rooted in Siksikaitsitapi culture and traditional knowledge. It helps young First Nations children and families build a strong sense of identity, pride, and belonging by learning their traditional languages and experiencing their community’s culture.
The program encompasses the following components:
- Integration of Siksikaitsitapi culture and language through classroom instruction and land-based teachings
- Provision of nutritious meals and snacks to support growth and development
- Educational readiness through Early Childhood Education, incorporating Siksikaitsitapi curricula and philosophies
- Access to social support resources and the development of essential skills
- Health promotion activities
- Opportunities for parental involvement
- Inclusive support tailored to meet diverse needs
The program concludes with a heartfelt graduation ceremony at the end of the year.
Schedule
Head Start runs from September to June, Monday through Thursday. We organize children into caring groups – one from the west side and one from the east- creating a warm and nurturing environment for everyone. Each day includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Preschool Times of Class
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 10:30am | 10:30am | 10:30am | 10:30am | No school (prep day) |
| 1:30pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm | |
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 1 | Group 2 |
Class Schedule
| Times | Routine |
| 10:30am – 1:30pm | Arrival Breakfast Circle Time Free Play Lunch Playground Snack Tabletops |
| 1:30pm | Home Time |
Transportation
We want every child to feel included and excited to join us. To make sure that happens, transportation is provided so all preschoolers can safely travel to and from the Head Start building. Buses pick up children from location close to home, making the journey easy and worry-free.
Bus Pickup and Dropoff times
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 1 | Group 2 | No school (prep day) |
| 8:30am-10:25am | 8:30am-10:25am | 8:30am-10:25am | 8:30am-10:25am | |
| 1:35pm-2:35pm | 1:35pm-2:35pm | 1:35pm-2:35pm | 1:35pm-2:35pm |
Family Involvement Program
Families are at the heart of Head Start. We cherish, our parents, kinship members, and elders, and invite you to stay connected throughout the year with:
- Exciting field trip opportunities.
- Celebrating milestones with special graduation events, sewing and craft projects.
- Monthly activity days.
- Parents’ meetings with fun learning presentations.
- Parent/Teacher conferences.
