Pacekids Programs

What Pacekids Programs does

Pacekids Programs (legal name: Pacekids Society for Children with Special Needs) is a Calgary-based registered charitable non-profit, founded in 1994, that delivers early childhood education and therapy services to children aged approximately 2 years 8 months to 6 years with diverse needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, Brain Injury, and speech and language delays. It also runs in-home and in-community programming for children up to about age 10 through Alberta's Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) program.

The organization operates two school campuses — Sundance in southeast Calgary (152 spaces) and the newly opened Sunridge in northeast Calgary (264 daily spaces, 11 large classrooms, sensory rooms, accessible playground) — plus in-home/community service delivery. Its core service model is a transdisciplinary therapy team (Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Behavioural Strategists) embedded directly inside classrooms and supported by adaptive technology (Smart Boards, iPads, AAC communication devices), music therapy (JB Music Therapy), and an app-based parent communication system. Class sizes are deliberately small at 12-14 children with low child-to-staff ratios, and complimentary door-to-door transportation serves 75%+ of ECS families.

Pacekids generates revenue from three primary streams: (1) Alberta Education Program Unit Funding (PUF) for ECS seats at its two schools; (2) FSCD funding for in-home, in-community, Behavioural & Developmental Supports, Specialized Services, and Triple P Positive Parenting; and (3) charitable revenue — individual monthly giving (Champion for Children at $15-$84/month tiers), corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events (Keeping Pace dance competition, Putting for Pace golf tournament, Race for Pace, Giving Machine Calgary). Family fees are nominal (C$50 annual registration, C$30/month supplies). The organization is governed by a volunteer board chaired by Rhonda Bean, with Alex Reed as Executive Director since August 2011, and is not publicly traded.

Name

Pacekids Programs

Legal name

Pacekids Society for Children with Special Needs

Website

https://pacekids.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pacekids Programs is a Calgary-based registered charity, founded in 1994, that provides integrated therapy, preschool/kindergarten (PUF-funded), and in-home/community programs (FSCD-funded) for children with diverse needs and their families across two school campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Needs Early Childhood Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Early Intervention & Preschool Programs (EDAKAAAE)

Keywords

• Special needs education
• Early childhood services
• Therapeutic preschool programs
• Disability support services
• Family-centered therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funding - Program Unit Funding (PUF): Funded through Alberta Education's Program Unit Funding (PUF), which is education-focused funding for children aged 2 years 8 months to 6 years. Parents do not apply directly — school authorities access funding on the family's behalf. PUF is available for a maximum of three years through a Private ECS Operator like Pacekids.
2. Government Funding - Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD): Community and In-Home programs funded by the Government of Alberta's FSCD program. Pacekids handles all details including hiring and supervising the team, paying staff, billing FSCD, and managing paperwork related to a family's programming, allowing families to focus on helping their child reach developmental goals.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals (monthly Champion for Children program, one-time donations), corporate sponsors, and community fundraisers. Signature events include Keeping Pace (dance competition), Putting for Pace (golf tournament), Race for Pace (walk/run), and Giving Machine Calgary. Putting for Pace has raised over $350,000 since 2020.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at various tiers for events (e.g., Presenting Sponsor $8,000, Golf Cart Sponsor $4,000, Hole Sponsor $2,000 for Putting for Pace). Corporate champions including Calgary Flames Foundation and Remington Development Corporation provide ongoing support.
5. Class Sponsorship: Classroom sponsorship program: $12,000 provides critical early intervention to a classroom of 12 for an entire school year. Contact Margaret Varty for sponsorship details.
6. Monthly Giving Program (Champion for Children): Monthly donor program with tiers: $15/month provides therapeutic resources to a classroom of 12 children; $25/month provides adaptive technology for non-verbal children; $40/month provides therapeutic intervention to a child each week; $84/month funds a child for a complete year of critical early intervention.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Pacekids Programs operates an Alberta Education-approved Early Childhood Services (ECS) preschool and kindergarten program for children aged 2 years 8 months to 6 years at two school locations in Calgary (Sunridge and Sundance), integrating a transdisciplinary therapy team (Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Behavioural Strategists) directly into play-based classrooms. The organization also delivers FSCD-funded in-home and community-based programs (Behavioural & Developmental Supports, Specialized Services, Toddler & Family Support, and Triple P Positive Parenting Program) for children up to approximately 10 years. Both program streams are supported by complimentary transportation, app-based parent communication, and family-centred practice.

Product overview

Pacekids Programs operates as a single unified service organization offering two core programs for children with diverse needs in the Calgary area. The flagship program is Early Childhood Services (ECS), an Alberta Education-licensed preschool and kindergarten (PUF) program delivered at two school locations (Sunridge and Sundance) with half-day sessions integrating onsite transdisciplinary therapy. The second core program is In-Home & In-Community services funded through FSCD, encompassing Behavioural & Developmental Supports, Specialized Services, and Triple P Positive Parenting. A third offering — Private Assessment & Therapy — has been discontinued. All programs are grounded in a play-based, family-centred therapeutic philosophy supporting children with conditions including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, Brain Injury, and Speech & Language delays.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pacekids: Primary brand name for the organization providing special needs programs including Early Childhood Services (ECS), Community and In-Home Programs, and family support services.

Products and services

• Early Childhood Services (ECS) - Preschool + Kindergarten (PUF) Alberta Education-licensed preschool and kindergarten program for children aged 2 years 8 months to 6 years with diverse needs, funded through Program Unit Funding (PUF). Delivered as half-day morning (8:05-11:20 a.m.) and afternoon (12:40-3:55 p.m.) sessions at Sunridge and Sundance school locations, integrating therapy, education, and play-based learning with an onsite transdisciplinary therapy team (SLPs, OTs, PTs, Behavioural Strategists) working directly in classrooms.
• In-Home & In-Community Programs (FSCD) Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD)-funded programs delivered in the home and community across Calgary, including Behavioural & Developmental Supports (BDS), Specialized Services (multi-discipline therapy), Toddler & Family Support, and the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. Supports children from six months to approximately 10 years of age. Pacekids handles all administrative details including hiring and supervising the team, paying staff, billing FSCD, and managing paperwork. Available timeslots: 10:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-3:00pm, and 4:00pm-6:00pm, Monday-Friday.
• Complimentary Transportation Services Safe and comfortable transportation to and from school provided at no cost to families, including car seats. Managed by 4 Seasons Transportation with student Behavior Specialist and Supervisor System of Driver Support. Children grouped geographically for AM and PM programs. Different pick-up/drop-off locations (daycares, day homes) accommodated as long as consistent week-to-week.
• Champion for Children Monthly Giving Program Monthly donor program for individuals supporting Pacekids programs. Tiers include: $15/month for therapeutic resources for a classroom of 12 children; $25/month for adaptive technology for non-verbal children; $40/month for weekly therapeutic intervention to a child; $84/month to fund a child for a complete year of critical early intervention.
• Signature Fundraising Events Three annual signature fundraising events: Keeping Pace (dance competition), Putting for Pace (golf tournament), and Race for Pace (walk/run). Keeping Pace has raised over $637,000 since 2016; Putting for Pace has raised over $350,000 since 2020. Corporate sponsorship tiers range from $2,000 (Hole Sponsor) to $8,000 (Presenting Sponsor).
• Class Sponsorship Program Classroom sponsorship program for corporate and individual sponsors. $12,000 sponsors a classroom of 12 children for an entire school year, providing critical early intervention services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ children served daily across two school locations
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• We Rock the Spectrum – North CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWe Rock the Spectrum – North Calgary is a community partner of Pacekids. Opening in 2023, it is the only kids' gym with an inclusive philosophy, providing a place for children of all ability levels to play together. Pacekids hosts field trips there and sponsors their events (e.g., Valentine's Bash). It is one of Pacekids' valued community partners and was featured at Sunridge Open House.
• Sprog and SprocketminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSprog and Sprocket provides inclusive play experiences and activities for Pacekids events. Featured as a community partner at Sundance and Sunridge open houses. They offer inclusive play experiences suitable for children with diverse needs.
• TUU by COUTUKITSCHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTUU by COUTUKITSCH is a community partner featured at Pacekids Sunridge Open House. Provided special door prize for the open house event. A Calgary-based inclusive brand partnering with Pacekids for community events.
• TrellisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacekids programming reached new organizations and new lives through a partnership with Trellis, extending their community impact beyond their own facilities.
• Sunnyside Hillhurst Community AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacekids programming reached new organizations and new lives through a partnership with the Sunnyside Hillhurst Community Association, extending their community impact.
• 4 Seasons TransportationcoreOthers4 Seasons Transportation is the dedicated transportation provider for Pacekids ECS programs, managing year-round safe and comfortable transport of children with diverse needs to and from school. They provide internal training, a student Behavior Specialist, and a Supervisor System of Driver Support. They accommodate car seats and various pick-up/drop-off locations across Calgary.
• Village Ice CreamminorOthersVillage Ice Cream provides ice cream samples at Pacekids open house events (e.g., Sundance Open House). Community partner contributing food and refreshments to family events.
• Springbank Links Golf ClubminorOthersNew venue for the 2026 Putting for Pace Golf Tournament. Springbank Links Golf Club delivers variety with classic links-style holes, scenic parkland fairways, and dramatic elevation changes.
• JB Music TherapyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJB Music Therapy (JBMT) leads music therapy sessions for Pacekids programs, funded by the Calgary Children's Foundation. Sessions are provided to children in the program to enhance therapeutic outcomes through music.
• Deerfoot Inn & CasinominorOthersVenue for the Keeping Pace annual fundraising event, an elegant evening of dance, live auctions, and fine dining. Now in its 9th year.
• Righteous GelatominorOthersProvides ice cream samples at Pacekids Sundance Open House and event activities for children.
• Kate's Face PaintsminorOthersProvides face painting services at Pacekids open house events for children and families.
• Giving Machine CalgaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPacekids was selected as 1 of 5 local Calgary charities in the 2025 Giving Machine Calgary initiative at Market Mall (December 10-30, 2025). Shoppers could donate to Pacekids and other charities including Children's Cottage, Women in Need Society, Kids Cancer Care, Wood's Homes, and UNICEF Canada. Supported by City of Calgary Deputy Mayor and Councillors.
• Arthur Murray Dance StudiominorOthersProfessional dancers from Arthur Murray Dance Studio are paired with community leaders and celebrities for the Keeping Pace dance competition, competing for the Mirror Ball Trophy.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PacekidsPrograms
• Facebookfacebook.com/pacekidsprograms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacekids
• Instagraminstagram.com/pacekids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pacekids Programs