Programs & Services - Early Learning - StrongStart
StrongStart
StrongStart Early Learning Centres are free drop-in centres for pre-school children age 0 to 5, and for their parents or caregivers. Qualified early childhood educators facilitate learning activities such as story time, music and art – an introduction to learning through play. Through engaging with kids while they participate, parents and caregivers also have an opportunity to bring some of these ideas home with them.
Opening Monday October 5th, New Westminster Schools currently has two StrongStart centres ready to go, and a third on the way soon:
Queensborough Middle School
Monday to Friday … 1 hour sessions, starting at 9:30 and 11:30
Connaught Heights Elementary School
Monday to Friday … 1 hour sessions, starting at 9:00 & 11:00
Richard McBride Elementary School
*opening November 9, 2020.
Monday to Friday … 1 hour sessions, starting at 10:30 & 12:15
The programs are free.
Due to COVID related safety measures, New Westminster Schools will offer our StrongStart programs in a modified way. We will be reducing the number of families who can attend at one time in order to help maintain a safe physical distance. There will be a maximum of four families (1 adult and 3 children per family, max) allowed at each one hour session. And families can sign up for up to two sessions a week.
Families will need to sign up for a space ahead of time. You can trial run our new online booking system by clicking here: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/StrongStartProgram@sd40.bc.ca/bookings/
… or call our District Vice Principal responsible for Early Learning, Tanis Anderson, at (604) 517-6111.
Caregivers must complete the Daily Health Check for themselves and their children, before attending their booked session. Additionally, they will be asked these questions upon arrival.
All adults must wear masks. Mask wearing for younger children is a personal family choice and will be supported.
Each centre will provide orientation and guidelines to new families regarding entering/exiting the building, washrooms and change tables and anything else specific to their centre.
If it’s our first time this year at the centre, you will need to register your child. Registration forms are available at the centres, or attached here: StongStart-Registration Form 2020 21. Families will need to have one piece of ID for their child, such as a birth certificate or passport. A media and photo release form also needs to be completed at the beginning of each year: Media and Photo Release 2020-2021
Please check back here for updates!
If you have any questions, please email StrongStart@sd40.bc.ca
