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WILLIAMS LAKE – Two of B.C.’s newest StrongStart BC early learning centres have officially opened at Cataline elementary and 100 Mile elementary in the Cariboo-Chilcotin school district, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced.
“The StrongStart BC centres at Cataline elementary
and 100 Mile elementary are already making a real difference to children and
families,” said Bond. “I know that these centres will be a real asset to
parents, caregivers
and communities."
The Cataline and 100 Mile StrongStart BC centres offer a free drop-in program for parents or caregivers and their children. Qualified early childhood educators lead activities, including stories, music, and arts, to help children grow linguistically, physically and socially, and become comfortable in a school-like setting.
All of B.C.'s 60 school districts have been offered the opportunity to participate in the StrongStart BC program. The Province is investing a total of $5 million for up to 80 StrongStart BC centres as part of ReadNow BC, the new provincial literacy plan. The B.C. Government has committed another $38 million to fulfil a 2008 throne speech commitment to expand StrongStart BC to a total of 400 centres by 2010.
“All children deserve a strong start to their lives,” said Bond. “StrongStart BC Centres mean that more B.C. pre-schoolers will reach kindergarten with confidence and the skills they need to succeed in school.”
The Cariboo-Chilcotin school district has received $50,000 for each StrongStart BC centre. This funding includes $20,000 each to prepare the Marie Sharpe and 100 Mile elementary schools’ in-school space, including renovations and the purchase of new equipment and learning materials. As well, both schools are receiving $30,000 to fund this year's operating costs, including staff, professional development, supplies and healthy snacks.
“Educators, administrators, trustees and
parents all realize the value of a strong start to a child's education,” said
board chair Pete Penner. “The value is felt throughout their life, and builds
success for the student, the community and society at large.”
StrongStart BC centres help fulfil government’s election platform and throne speech commitments to use underutilized school spaces as centres to deliver early learning services. Like the School Community Connections program that provides community access to existing underutilized school space, StrongStart BC early learning centres turn the challenge of declining enrolment into an opportunity.
The StrongStart BC centres help the Province reach its goal of making B.C. the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent. Since 2001, government has invested over $131 million in new literacy initiatives, including pre-literacy and early learning programs such as $9.5 million to operate the kindergarten readiness program Ready, Set, Learn and $2.7 million for the ActNow Literacy Education Activity and Play (LEAP BC) program that encourages literacy, physical activity and healthy eating in preschool-aged children.
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Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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