Entry to School Program

The fully funded MCCSS Entry to School autism program at Woodview is accepting enrollment for our next cohort!

The Entry to School Program, is an initiative that launched in March of 2022 from the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).  It is geared to students starting Kindergarten or Grade 1 for the first time.  Woodview is implementing this program under the Lead of ErinoakKids and in partnership with Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK), and Community Living North Halton.

Transition Your Child With Autism to the Classroom

Woodview’s new Entry to School program is designed to help equip new students with the necessary skills to learn in a school environment before they enter the classroom.  Woodview offers a support environment for children with autism to gain much-needed group exposure and skill building, helping to prepare them for the expectations of school.

Participating students will enter the classroom with:

An established routine for school
Experience learning and playing in a group setting
Applied social, literacy and numeracy skills
Ongoing support for up to 6 months after school entry

How Does Entry to School Prepare Children for the Classroom?

The focus of Entry to School is to help kids build the routine needed once they are in kindergarten.  Students begin their day by engaging in circle time and centre-based play, gaining exposure to group activities.  They’ll also participate in sensory and object play, and spend time working in small groups of 1-2 to develop literacy and numeracy skills.

Students will make the most of Woodview’s outdoor playground facilities and enjoy themed seasonal activities that are fun and educational and include team sports such as playing basketball in the gym.

Register Today

Have you received an invitation from the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services to participate in the Entry to School program?

Contact ErinoakKids to be get started at Woodview:

intake@erinoakkids.ca
Tel: 905-855-2690, then press 1
Toll-free: 1-877-374-6625, then press 1

Program Location & Hours

The first stage of Entry to School will take place on-site at Woodview in Halton and runs for 6 months:

69 Flatt Road in Burlington

Choose from morning (9am-noon) or afternoon (1pm to 4pm) sessions.

The second stage includes consultations with your child’s school for 6 months after the students begin school.

Work Toward Multiple Goals With ESDM

Entry to School at Woodview will incorporate the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Applied Behavioural Analysis principles (ABA), which has proved successful through the LEAP Preschool Program.

The Early Start Denver model sees children working on more than one skill at a time, and toward multiple goals throughout the day while ensuring they can participate in a group setting.

The Entry to School classroom will have one teacher for every four students, and will be run by an Early Childhood Educator and an Instructor Therapist.

Holly Adair-Simpson
“It’s not 1:1 at a table, it’s really about helping develop those social skills and giving kids the opportunity to learn a variety of skills throughout the day. We’re focusing on ensuring that the children will do well in a group.”

Who is eligible for the Entry to School Program?

Entry to School is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS).  Families registered in the OAP program will receive information on how to apply.  For up-to-date information about the Entry to School program, please visit the OAP website.

I haven’t received an invitation yet, what do I do?

If you believe that you are eligible and have not yet received an invitation from the MCCSS, please check your email’s junk folder (as some people have reported that their invitations have gone there) or contact the MCCSS Central Intake & Registration Team if you have questions.

If you have questions, please contact Holly Adair-Simpson, Clinical Supervisor of the program at Woodview, at hadair-simpson@woodview.ca.

You can learn more in our blog.

Not yet registered with OAP? To determine if your child is eligible for the Ontario Autism Program, please visit the OAP page.