How does your program help to prepare my child for Kindergarten?
We provide a 1:1 ABA program that teaches to the ‘whole child.’ That means that we teach across all skill areas that the child may need, including communication, play, social skills, self-help, toileting, self-regulation. To best prepare our student for the transition to Kindergarten, we also teach playground safety, learning in a small group, following a classroom schedule, classroom routines and transitions, as well as pre-academic skills. We implement Skills-Based Treatment with our students, which focuses on teaching communication, tolerance, and developing contextually appropriate behaviors. By developing these school-specific skills, we ensure that you child is well prepared for a successful kindergarten year!
Is your program full-time or part-time? Can my child attend for only some of the days?
Our program is full-time, running Monday-Friday. If your child enrolls, they will attend the program for 12.5 hours per week, 2.5 hours per day.
Who will be working with my child?
We have behavioural interventionists who are trained to work with your child. A classroom supervisor will be on-site to supervise the work of the BI’s full-time (12.5 hours per week). Each child will receive 4 hours per month of direct contact with a Senior Behavioural Consultant.
How is the program funded?
Children who are eligible to access the Autism Funding Program may use their funds for this program.
Do you have a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) in your program?
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) will provide consultation to the program. As part of this consultation, appropriate language/communication goals will be established for students and shared with parents.
The SLP is contracted to the program and her services are discontinued once your child transitions out of the program.
How will I know what my child is learning in the school?
Parents are invited to meet with the school team once per month. As part of the observation, parents will observe the team working directly with their child on a selection of the goals. There will also be discussion about priorities and school planning. Parents will receive weekly videos of their child completing program work and participating in classroom routines. Each semester a report card will be prepared that describes each of the individualized goals and a summary of the students current level.
Do I get to meet with the school team to discuss my priorities?
At any time, parents can request to meet with the program team to discuss concerns or request changes to the program.
Do you provide home services as well?
We do not currently provide home-based services.
Do I have to live in Surrey for my child to attend the program?
We give priority registration to children who are located in Surrey; however, children outside Surrey may register if space is available.
How do you support my child’s transition into Kindergarten?
Our program offers the opportunity to spend time in a typical Kindergarten classroom in preparation for your child’s transition to elementary school. In addition, we offer our Kindergarten Transition Program. If you choose to opt into this, one of our Behavioural Consultants will spend time with your child’s school support team in their catchment elementary school during the first few weeks of September to help support your child’s transition into the new classroom. Further, regular check-ins will be provided by our Transition Program Coordinator to ensure a smooth transition and help with any problem-solving that is needed.
What are the times of the program?
The program runs from Monday to Friday. There is a morning program and an afternoon program. The morning program runs from 8:45 – 11:15 a.m. and the afternoon program runs from 11:45-2:15 p.m.
What are the program holidays?
Please see our webpage for a link to the program calendar
What is your inquiry and waitlist policy?
Inquiry emails are responded to in the order they were received. Inquiry meetings are booked in the order they were requested. Families who move through the process at a faster pace (responding to emails quickly, returning forms, etc) may move up the line if they are responsive to moving through the steps. Once contacted, families will have 1 week to book a classroom visit within a timeframe that works for the requested classroom. After attending a classroom visit, families will have 48 hours to confirm they’re interested in the program. If they have not decided, their space may be offered to the next family waiting.
Intake documents, including signed Request to Pay (RTP) forms, must be submitted one week prior to the student’s start date to continue. If they are not received in time, the start date will be delayed. If the documents are not received within 1 week of the intake meeting, the placement may be offered to the next family on the waitlist.
How can I find out more information about the program?
Email: ready4kindergarten@sbai.ca