The goal of StrongStart centres is to provide parents/caregivers and their preschool children with the opportunity to play, learn and grow together. The centres are operated in school settings so you and your child can become an important part of the school community before your child enters kindergarten. Together, with a qualified Early Childhood Educator, you help your child to develop important oral language and early literacy skills, and physical, intellectual and social skills, preparing them to successfully transition into Kindergarten learning.

No. Nutritious snacks, use of toys and materials at learning centres are provided free of charge. StrongStart Centres are funded by the Ministry of Education and are open to all parents in the entire community.

StrongStart Centres are places full of fun, with many play/learning centres, materials and stimulating activities for children ages 0 – 5.

Example of a Typical Daily Schedule (This will vary at different centres):

*Note: Parents with children in both age groups are welcome to drop in at any time, or stay throughout the entire Centre session for the day. There are baby change tables in the closest washrooms. Also, every child must be accompanied to the washroom by their parent/caregiver.

First hour: Children explore at play centres, chosen from list below; clean-up & put away lead into song/rhyme and then snack time.

Second hour: Some babies and toddlers may at this time go home for a morning nap; after snack time: reading and circle time; free play.

Third hour: Free play and creative art activities followed by goodbye circle/singing time.

With regular StrongStart attendance, young children will develop good social skills and form trusting play relationships with other children. Over time, children become prepared to successfully learn in a Kindergarten setting as they gradually learn to communicate their wishes, listen to others, share toys, and sit and focus at circle or story-reading time. They are involved in a safe and happy environment where they develop self-confidence. Together with their parent/guardian, children can play with other adults and with other children. Both parents/guardian and children engage in the following:

• use costumes to play dress-up
• play with puppets, clay, puzzles
• pretend play with trucks, tractors, trains, cars, dolls, little people, animals
• hear and participate in story-telling and story reading
• play at sand and water tables
• sing songs, do rhymes, finger plays
• work with a variety of art media
• play with natural and real materials
• develop large and small motor skills and coordination

Health and Safety:

Do not bring your child to the Centre if they have an infectious illness, fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Please care for them at home until the symptoms are gone and they are able to fully participate in the activities of the Centre.

Also:

• Remember on the sign-in list, please print the full legal names for you and each of your child/ren attending.
• Take full responsibility for the supervision of your child/ren at all times.
• Please do not allow your child to wander around the classroom, eating. Have them sit down to eat, and please supervise them while they eat.
• Please do not smoke on the school grounds.

Behaviour Expectations:

• Your children look to you and learn by example, so they’ll need your support at the Centre.
• For the older children, you can help your 4 and 5 year-olds to prepare to enter the school environment by reminding them to use indoor voices, walk in the hallway, play gently, clean up toys and materials.
• Set simple and clear expectations for your child, be consistent.
• State limits in a positive way, focus your child on what to do, instead of what NOT to
  do.
• Acknowledge your child’s feelings, listen to them, respond to them.
• Give your child alternatives, choices that are appropriate, and do this in a non-threatening way.
• Redirect your child at times when situations may cause inappropriate behaviour to occur (refusing to share, etc.)
• Give your child cues and directions prior to changing from one activity to another.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to connect with other adults, pick up pamphlet resources for adult to adult discussion, offer a kind word or two, and create new adult to adult friendships. Thank you, parents/caregivers, for actively participating in your child’s play, for working together to help the Early Childhood Educator to establish and maintain routines such as Snack Time, Circle Time, Story Time, etc. with the children. Thank you for cooperating with other parents and caregivers in gently guiding the play and learning of the children in the Centre.

We believe that:

• Parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers.
• Everyone is special and unique and has a lot of knowledge to share with others.
• The experiences of the first five years in a child’s life set the stag for success in life.
• Children learn through discovery, exploration, and play.

All children ages 0 – 5 can register to attend StrongStart at one of the nine Langley locations most convenient for your family. Simply bring your child to the StrongStart Centre. When you arrive, you will be greeted by the Early Childhood Educator, and given a registration form.

Upon completing the form with all contact names and numbers, you will then be asked to provide a clear photocopy of your child’s birth certificate (so we have the official spelling of their name, and their official birth date and birthplace). A photocopy can be taken at the School if you bring in the original document. You’re now registered to drop in to the Centre and participate in playing and learning with your child on any days that are convenient for you.
IMPORTANT: Each day that your child attends you will be asked to sign in using your full name and your child’s full name. The Ministry of Education requires that we keep daily attendance records in each centre.