Introduction

The Halifax Developmental Preschool (HDP) is a fully integrated program that provides specialized programming for children who have special needs, and those without, between the ages of 18 months to 6 years of age.

The Halifax Developmental Preschool has been in operation since 1973 starting out as a part - time, segregated program, and grew to a full time, fully inclusive Preschool environment.

The Preschool is operated under the auspices of the Halifax Association for Community Living (HACL), a volunteer run, non-profit organization seeking to ensure that persons challenged with an intellectual disability take their place in the community. HACL is part of a National Organization (CACL), which has Provincial Branches across Canada and Municipal Chapters.

The Halifax Developmental Preschool is a licensed center that falls under the Nova Scotia Day Care Act.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm.

Licensed Capacity: 40 children

Subsidized Spaces: 15

Number of Children with Special Needs: 17

Location: 2557 Maynard Street, Halifax, NS B3K 3V6

Please feel free to call us at (902) 423-4702 if you need more information.

Without YOU we are NOT US!

Why are we unique?

• We are fully inclusive
• We offer a 1:3 ratio
• We have specialized, dedicated, long-term staff
• We have an on site speech language pathologist
• We are sensory enriched
• We are literacy enriched
• We are resource enriched
• We are trained in picture exchange communication system (PECS)
• We offer strong visual supports
• We have a snoezelen room
• We have a large indoor softplay room
• We are wheelchair accessible
• We have a large computer center
• We have adapted technology

Envision an early childhood center where children of very differing abilities come together to learn from each other and grow, where the staff believe that every child in the center is a unique identity who can succeed in their own way, where success is measured by the individual progress of each child, where the staff work exceptionally hard to find the “window” into each child’s unique learning path; and the children reciprocate by teaching all of us that the human soul is what counts and that we all can learn from one another to the betterment of us all.

The Halifax Developmental Center is a fully inclusive program that provides specialized programming for children who have diverse special needs, and those who do not, between the ages of 18 months to 6 years of age.

The Halifax Developmental Preschool has been located in an inner city school since 1982. Our current daily enrolment is 35 children. We offer a 1:3 ratio, which is very important to our diverse group of children.

Geographically, our program is offered to families throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality. We service many children who come from the immediate north end of Halifax and are located in an under serviced area of the region. Many of our children are at high risk for developmental concerns because of their social and economic isolation. We also service families from Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, and more rural areas.

The objective of the Halifax Developmental Preschool is to provide an environment where the individual needs of each child are met through activities that promote development, self-worth, independence, creative expression, and most of all FUN!

The philosophy of our Center is one of total inclusion. Every child has individual needs. Important aspects of our program are recognizing the uniqueness of each child and providing encouragement for their continued growth and development. We strive to provide an environment that celebrates the gifts, talents, and uniqueness of each child. Our commitment to diversity instils in young children values such as acceptance and fairness, which will enhance their abilities to speak out against discrimination and injustices as adults.