Early Years

The Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency offers both Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten in all community schools. Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School also offers Tłı̨chǫ Immersion programming for Kindergarten to Grade 2 students.

Our JK/K classrooms follow the Northwest Territories’ Junior Kindergarten / Kindergarten Curriculum. This program emphasizes play-based learning which focuses on oral language, socialization, creative play, early literacy and school readiness skills. Children use personal experiences to build their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. 

We believe that Kindergarten students learn best in a play-based, culturally relevant learning environment that emphasizes oral language and early literacy skills.

• GNWT JK/K Parent Booklet
• GNWT JK/K Curriculum
• GNWT Toileting Information for Parents

Children must be four years old on or before December 31st of each year in order to register for Junior Kindergarten and five years old for Kindergarten. All Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes are blended. You can prepare your child for kindergarten by:

• Coming to a spring kindergarten open house
• Book an appointment for pre-school medical appointments (ex: vision, hearing and vaccinations)
• Toilet training (it is not required but strongly encouraged that junior kindergarten students are independent in their washroom habits)
• Read every day and speak regularly to your child in Tłı̨chǫ and English – participate in your school’s literacy nights and library activities
• Participate with your child in other community based activities – such as Aboriginal Head Start, play time at recreation centers, and time on the land, to learn routines and build social skills.

Resources

Speech and Language Services

Students in all Tłı̨chǫ schools are able to receive intervention from registered Speech and Language Pathologists depending on their need. These services may be virtual or in-person and are available through a range of service providers, including:

• TinyEye Therapy Services
• Stanton Rehabilitation Services

If you feel your child requires speech and language services, please reach out to your local school. You can also complete a referral form.