Tots won’t be able to play together and their parents will have to don masks when the popular pre-school program Strong Start re-opens next week in School District 43 elementary schools.
The program aimed at giving families some time to connect while their children play is opening at 13 schools in Port Moody, Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam after being closed for eight months.
Families tired of being stuck at home with their babies and pre-schoolers will now be able to register for one session a week.
But the program will be completely different from the way Strong Start operated pre-pandemic, and with Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry declaring B.C. is in a “controlled” second wave, and with eight exposure notifications at SD43 schools, strict cleaning regimes will be in place, as well as health checks and protocols for reducing the spread of COVID-19.
For example, there will be no free-range play between babies and pre-schoolers as families will be spread apart, sectioned off in their own area and provided with toys and materials they can’t share.
Still, the experience with be playful and fun for the little ones, said early learning coordinator Harpreet Esmail, who said teachers have been coming up with creative ways to provide a stimulating environment for children.
“The Strong Start teachers are just excited to get started,” said Esmail, who said the program has been in hiatus since mid-March when schools were shut down due to COVID-19.
When Strong Start was closed, teachers connected with families on Zoom or with a newsletter but it’s not the same as being together, Esmail said.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 26, parents and caregivers who have pre-registered will be able to attend a shortened 75-minute playtime session and there will be no drop in. Families of one adult and up to three children from birth to age five — for a total of 16 people — must arrive on time and leave when the session is over.
Esmail said start and stop times have been coordinated so as not to conflict with school programs. “We want to make sure we’re avoiding high contact times.” Esmail said.
As well, families can only attend one session a week while the district assesses the popularity of the program.
“Obviously I’ve had a lot families really interested in the program opening. I don’t know how busy it will be — if it isn’t busy we could open up.”
Strong Start has been an important program for the district for over the 10 years since it was implemented by the province to provide more early-learning opportunities for families, Esmail said, and its closure over the past several months has been disappointing for some.
Now that the program is up and running again, she hopes it will continue to provide important connections to families who might otherwise be isolated at home.
“There are so many limitations right now that any opportunities for families to get out and have experiences and chat with another adult across the room will be beneficial.”
To register and find out more, visit here.
