Program Unit Funding (PUF) is a specialized education grant provided by Alberta Education to approved school authorities and Independent Early Childhood Services operators. It funds individualized early intervention for young children with severe developmental delays or disabilities before Grade 1.
PUF is not a direct financial payout to parents, and it is not a fund for private daycare bills. Funding flows to an approved provider — such as Beacon Heights ECS — to design, staff, and implement a customized learning environment.
What PUF Can Support in the Classroom
A PUF classroom may integrate certificated teachers, educational assistants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, and psychologists. High-quality programs embed this work in play-based classroom routines rather than relying only on pull-out clinic visits.
Eligibility
A child must be at least 2 years 8 months old and under 6 years old as of September 1, and may receive a maximum of three years of PUF across preschool and kindergarten.
PUF is for children with a severe disability or severe developmental delay — significant enough that the child cannot fully participate in a typical unassisted setting. Documentation from qualified professionals is required. Children with mild or moderate needs will not qualify for PUF, but may qualify for Mild/Moderate funding.
How Families Apply
Parents cannot apply for PUF directly to the government. An approved ECS operator or school authority must submit the application. The typical journey is: observation, connect with an operator, assessments, system submission by the school (traditionally before September 30), then an Individual Program Plan created with families.
Beacon Heights ECS is an approved Independent ECS Operator and coordinates PUF for eligible children, alongside Mild/Moderate and English language support. Call 403-852-3558 to begin.
