Kwakiutl Band Head Start-Infant Development Program

The BC Aboriginal Head Start Program is a holistic, community-based, early intervention program whose goal is to enhance the school readiness and overall health and wellness of First Nations children aged 0-6; which ultimately promotes self-confidence and success in the future. The program recognizes that culture is an essential part of children’s development. If children are able to know and experience their history, values and cultural practices, it will provide them with a positive sense of themselves and a community identity that they can be proud of. Therefore, each Head Start program is encouraged to reflect the uniqueness of its community and focus on the emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual needs of the children. The Kwakiutl Head Start Program works in conjunction with other Band Programs to ensure that our children and families needs are being met.

Some of the programs and activities offered at our Kwakiutl Head Start Program include Language & Cultural Activities, Healthy Meals Program, Healthy Families Club, Parents Club, Read Well, Kinder Clinic and we have a Resource Library and Carseat Lending Program.

Carole Ford – Early Childhood Development Coordinator
Office: 250-949-6625 ext. 225
Cell: 250-230-2076
Email: frhs@kwakiutl.bc.ca

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm

Healthy Families Club

The Healthy Families Club is offered bi-weekly on Monday afternoons from 4pm-6pm. It is for prenatal women and mothers with children aged 0-2. The club provides one-on-one and small group support for prenatal and new moms. It gives them an opportunity to participate in crafts and games with their children as well as receive a healthy meal, advice and pregnancy support through the health staff. The health staff provides information on a variety of topics such as prenatal care, nutrition, nutrition supplements, child development and parenting. Services such as baby immunizations and teeth checks are also provided at selected times. Child minding services are provided when necessary.

Parents Club

The Parents Club is offered once a month from 4pm-6pm for parents with children aged 0-6. This club was created to acknowledge and support the key role of parents in ensuring educational success for their children. The club provides parents with information, support, and rewards for their efforts. It is an opportunity for parents to participate in activities like working on scrap booking, creating a recipe book, and making Christmas centerpieces. This club has support materials such as newsletters, incentive gifts, and parenting materials and Guest speakers are invited to Parents Club to address any concerns the parents might have. Child minding services are provided when necessary.

Read Well

The Read Well program provides one on one reading support to children in Kindergarten at Wagalus School. The focus of the program is to give effective re-enforcement to children requiring more reading support. The program is set up so that each child receives one on one support for 15 minutes a day, four days a week.

Resource Library

The Resource Library provides parents and staff with books and videos about child development, speech and language development, nutrition and health.

Kinder Clinic

The Kinder Clinic is a health promotion event offered annually for children entering kindergarten and their parents. This clinic is coordinated with the health staff; who provide one-stop screening, education, counseling, and referrals related to vision, hearing, dental, nutrition, speech, and development. Vaccinations are also available at this clinic.