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. Please click here to view the 2021-2022 calendar.
We’re also growing, with new programs to support increased demand: our traditional programs running out of our 3 designated school spaces, a special offering to support kids who are getting ready to join kindergarten in September 2022, and a new outdoor exploration option!
Our traditional StrongStart sessions (see new offerings below)
Connaught Heights Elementary School
12 families
Monday to Friday … 9:00 – 11:00
Skwo:wech Elementary School
12 families
Monday to Friday … 9:45 – 11:45
Queensborough Middle School
12 families
Monday to Friday … 9:00 – 11:00
Here are important things to know about this program
- The programs are free.
- Families can sign-up for up to two sessions a week.
- One adult per family booking.
- Families will need to sign-up for a space ahead of time*:
*Please note bookings will only be available 14 days in advance (i.e October 14th will open for booking on October 1st). https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/StrongStartProgram@sd40.bc.ca/bookings/ - While we can not take waitlists, sometimes we do have cancellations, so feel free to check back from time to time.
NEW: We are going to kindergarten!
We’ve added a new StrongStart program! This program is specifically targeting kids who will enter kindergarten in September of 2022 (younger siblings may also join).
This program is currently running
- Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Queensborough, and
- Wednesdays at Skwo:wech and Connaught!
As with the other programs, you must book ahead: click here to book a timeslot in “We are going to kindergarten.”
Due to the more focussed content of these sessions, we do limit these sessions to only 8 families.
NEW: StrongStart, Explore Outdoors
We have added a new and exciting program: Explore Outdoors. This program will be held, rain or shine, in the outdoor play space at Hume Park (not at the Hume Park Learning Centre).
Because it’s outside, there’s no need to book in advance and no limits on participation (all families must be registered with the District’s StrongStart programs though, see below). Click here to learn about our new StrongStart: Explore Outdoors program.
Things to know if you’re new
If it’s your first time at a centre or program, you will need to register your child. Registration forms are available at the centres or click here to download an electronic version. You can complete the registration form when you attend your first session. Or you can complete the form ahead of time.
Families registering for the first time will need to have one piece of ID for their child, such as a birth certificate or passport.
If you have any questions, please email StrongStart@sd40.bc.ca.
Having trouble finding available StrongStart dates? Need other options to take your kids to?We’ve been working hard to support as many families as we can. But we know spaces can book up fast. So, we wanted to also provide some connection to other great local options available. Check out this great calendar showing a variety of community events and activities available to support young families in New Westminster, with free options of things to do, most days of the week: http://kidsnewwest.ca/ Or see what New West Family Place has going on at the many locations they work across: https://www.newwestfamilies.ca/ |
