Province Launches New Pre School Program

By 250 News

Prince George is to be  home to one of three Strong Smart Centres in the region.  The centre  is the first phase of a  new program to help preschool-age children develop reading skills and get ready for kindergarten.  

In making the announcement, Education Minister Shirley Bond said "Nearly one out of four B.C. kindergarten students is not developmentally ready to start school, so we need to address that,".  The early learning centres will be located in schools with underutilized space and are part of a plan to improve literacy skills.

The Province will provide $1.4 million to fund the centres, which will offer a free drop-in program for parents or caregivers and their children. Qualified early childhood educators will lead literacy activities, including stories, music and crafts to help children grow linguistically, physically and socially, and become comfortable in a school-like environment.

"StrongStart centres will make sure that preschool-age children in B.C. will have access to first-rate early learning opportunities," said Tom Christensen, Minister of Children and Family Development. "This program is a tremendous opportunity, especially for children who are not enrolled in preschool or childcare centres."

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