A unique early learning program with parent or guardian participation that brings families and early childhood specialists together for a time of play, connection, and learning.
Supporting adult and their 3-6-year old child participate in the program together. There are 4-8 families per group.
Early RISErs is held in our East Vancouver Learning Centre at 3292 East Broadway. Parking is available and we are across the street from Rupert Skytrain station.
A new cohort of Early RISErs starts each fall, winter, and spring and runs for 9 sessions. Families join either Saturday mornings or afternoons. Start dates are October 18, January 10, and April 11. There is no program on holiday weekends.
Early RISErs is a unique early learning program with parent or guardian participation that brings families and early childhood specialists together for a time of play, connection, and learning. Families build knowledge about their child’s development in a preschool-like classroom environment while gaining practical, research-informed strategies to support them at home and beyond.
Our interdisciplinary team includes Early Childhood Educators, BC-Certified Kindergarten Teachers, Behaviour Interventionists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists. We deliver a play-based, neuroaffirming, and technology-embracing program that nurtures individual strengths and promotes joyful, meaningful participation for children ages 3 to 6 of all developmental stages and abilities.
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Early RISErs celebrates every child for who they are. Supporting adults are encouraged to be present, play, and enjoy the moment alongside their child. Using a child-led and play-based approach, we follow each child’s interests and cues, gently encouraging group participation and growing independence over time.
We build children’s confidence and sense of agency by offering choices, honouring preferences, and supporting transitions. Instead of compliance or rewards, we use co-regulation strategies, helping children develop intrinsic motivation and positive relationships with learning.
For many children, this is a rare opportunity to engage in group learning and peer interactions with consistent support and at their own pace. Likewise, for many families, it offers a unique chance to observe how their child participates in a classroom setting, something often missed in traditional care or school settings.
Apply NowEach week, families collaborate with our team to explore strategies, ask questions, and share insights—at their own pace. We recognize every family’s journey is unique, and we meet you where you are at.
Early RISErs is designed for families with children aged 3–6 who need extra support getting ready for school. It might be a great fit if you’re:
Your child needs help with routines, transitions, or early learning
You’re preparing for kindergarten
You want to build confidence, play, and social skills
Your child has (or may have) a learning, speech, or developmental difference
You’re waiting for services like SLP, OT, or BI
You want tools for communication, behaviour, or sensory needs
Your child is struggling in daycare, preschool, or school
You want to connect with other families
You value inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming spaces
You’re new to Canada or facing a big life transition
We believe all families should have access to support, that’s why our program is offered on a sliding fee scale, with financial assistance available through our LDS Bright Futures Bursary.
LDS Bright Futures Bursary
To determine eligibility, we compare your total household income to our sliding scale. Families can submit their 2024 Notice of Assessment(s) from their tax documents, either with their application or during the intake process. If you’re experiencing exceptional circumstances, we’re happy to discuss alternative documentation or explore additional financial support during your intake call.
Autism Funding
Alternatively, if your child is eligible for the Autism Funding Unit (AFU), the full cost of the program can be covered through AFU. LDS can bill directly using a Request to Pay form you submit after the intake phone call. Please note that you cannot combine AFU funding with the LDS Bright Futures Bursary.
| Annual Net Household Income | Early RISErs program |
| $0 – $30,000 | $160 |
| $30,000 – $70,000 | $180 |
| $70,000 – $85,000 | $250 |
| $85,000 – $120,000 | $525 |
| $120,000 – 160,000 | $675 |
| $160,000 + | $750 |
In a recent episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla Ward, host and founder of Early Learning Foundations, had an insightful conversation with Marlo Humiski, our Senior Manager of Early Years Programs.
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Watch this workshop recording and get help navigating the exciting and potentially challenging transition to kindergarten.
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This post is dedicated to the most common questions and concerns we see and hear from families with young children, and the ways in which families are able to receive support for these challenges in our Early RISErs program.
Learn MoreFirst you will fill out an application form on our website. There is an option to book a consultation call for more information before submitting an application. The application form takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The form will also ask you to submit your household’s 2024 Revenue Canada Notice of Assessment(s) (NOA), to identify your eligibility for our sliding scale fees and the LDS Bright Futures Bursary. There will be other opportunities to submit NOAs at a later time, should you wish to access funding. At the end of the application, you will receive an online booking invitation to schedule an intake call with an LDS team member.
Your next step is a phone call with one of our team members to discuss your child’s learning and preferences, your family’s goals, and any questions or concerns you may have about the program. In this call, we will also discuss fees and funding options. Please submit your family’s 2024 NOAs to earlyrisers@ldsociety.ca before this intake meeting to streamline this process. You will also have an opportunity to do so after the intake call.
What we’ll discuss:
Once the intake call is over, a placement offer will be emailed to your family with the discussed schedule and fee. Families must respond to this email to accept their spot in the program. An invoice for the program fee will also be emailed to your family, and you can follow the email to pay the invoice. If your child receives funding from the Autism Funding Unit and you wish to use it for the cost of the program, you will receive instructions on how to submit a Request to Pay form, instead of receiving an invoice email. Once we have your reply and payment, you will receive an email confirming your spot in the program. Once your spot is confirmed, there are no other actions required from you until the program starts.
LDS policies (available on our website) apply to this program, including our group program withdrawal policies.
Withdrawal at least two weeks before the start of the program
If you provide us with at least two weeks’ notice of withdrawal rom the program, LDS can issue a full refund, less a $50 administration fee.
Withdrawal less than two weeks before the start of the program or once the program has started
In cases where the withdrawal notification is received less than two weeks (14 days) before the program start date or once the program has begun, LDS will provide a 50% refund. This is due to the difficulty finding a replacement for the vacant spot within a short time frame.
Withdrawal after the program is over halfway complete
If the program is underway and over halfway complete, LDS will not offer a refund for a withdrawal.
Each 2-hour session includes:
Every session, one adult attends with the child and supports them throughout the activities based on the child’s goals and independence levels. The supporting adult is encouraged to play with their child and collaborate with our team as we move through the schedule.
Our classroom uses predictable routine, sensory tools, visual schedules, and visual timers to support children as they move from one activity to another (also known as frontloading transitions). Our team uses child-led, play-based strategies that promote engagement and sustained attention, and we will meet your child where they’re at to provide support that fosters growth.
We welcome all emotions and sensory profiles. Our team is ready to support children through big feelings, sensory needs, and moments of dysregulation using trauma-informed, neuroaffirming strategies. Our classroom includes an open-access sensory space for breaks or quiet time, and we have tools and equipment available for use throughout the entire space. We’ll work with you to find tools and routines that support your child best.
This is very common, not only with this age group, but especially for neurodivergent children or those with support needs. Group activities involve a lot of skills like sharing attention, understanding instructions, managing feelings, communicating with others, and staying regulated, and every child develops these at their own pace.
The small group format lets us meet each child where they’re at, learn about their needs and strengths, and build trust and comfort first. We also consider things like sensory preferences, energy levels, and communication styles when planning support.
Every child interacts differently, and that’s okay. Rather than expecting children to “fit” the group, we adapt the activities to fit them and support growth from there.
The Early RISErs program currently runs on Saturday mornings and afternoons.
The transition from daycare or preschool to kindergarten often means saying goodbye to naps, as kindergarten days are longer and more structured. To ease this shift, begin shortening naps or replacing them with quiet time, and establish a consistent bedtime routine. Our Early RISErs afternoon program is a great way to support this change, with fun, age-appropriate activities during the typical nap window to help your child build stamina and adjust gradually to this new routine.
We understand that life happens. While there are no make-up sessions or refunds for absences, families are never penalized for arriving late or missing a session. However, families must attend at least 5 sessions to receive the End of Program report; this ensures our team has enough time to get to know your child, understand what supports work best for them, and provide personalized, practical recommendations and resources.
The adult who attends with the child does not have to be the same person each week, but we do require that the adult is someone the child is comfortable with and plays a caregiving role for them. Many families choose to alternate the supporting adult based on their schedules and availability.
Due to the small group nature of the program, we ask that only one adult attend each week with the child. This is to maintain an adult to child ratio that does not overload the children with adult presence. If a second adult would like to come along, they are welcome to relax in our lobby or switch out with you mid-session.
Due to space, staffing, and safety, only the enrolled child can attend the program; no older or younger siblings can be in the classroom. Exceptions can be made for infants. Please reach out to our team if childcare is a barrier we may be able to accommodate.
At the end of the program, your family will receive a written report summarizing your child’s development, strengths, preferences, and strategies. It includes observations from our team, information from screeners/assessments, suggestions for next steps, and actionable strategies for home and school. The report can be shared with teachers, childcare providers, specialists, and medical professionals. Each child will receive a personalized End-of-Program Report that includes the following sections:
We also offer an optional meeting to walk through the report together.
We are grateful for the generous donors who are making a difference in the lives of children across BC.
If you would like to contribute to our bursary fund, please consider making a monthly or one time donation.
Donate Contact UsThank you to our generous donors, sponsors and funders who make it possible for us to provide bursaries and affordable programs. Our donors play a vital role in sustaining our programming. We are so grateful for their continued support of children and youth in our community with learning differences.
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