• Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten Registration
  • KinderSPARK!
  • Parents as Literary Supporters
    (PALS)
• Events
  • Early Years Fair
  • Family Literacy Day Celebrations
  • Baby's First Birthday
• KinderSPARK!
  • KinderSPARK! Overview
  • Location and Hours
• Song and Rhyme Time
• StrongStart
  • StrongStart Overview
  • Yearly Calender
  • WonderWheels Bus
  • TinyTown
• SPARK!
  • Spark! Overview
  • Imagination Library
  • Ready, Set, Learn

StrongStart Overview

StrongStart Parent-Tot Drop-In Centres are designed to provide a family drop-in program located within a school setting. This is in response to the vast body of research that supports the importance of the first five years of life for laying the foundation for children’s success in school. The experiences that children have in the early years influence their future health, well-being, and life-long learning. The Ministry of Education, School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) and Sunshine Coast Community Services have partnered together to offer StrongStart Parent-Tot Centres in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay and Madeira Park Elementary schools, in order to positively affect the future lives of the children in our community.

The centres are open for three hours a day, five days a week. Children from birth to age five and their parents, grandparents, or caregivers can drop in to the centre free of charge to participate in programs designed to support early learning. The centres are staffed with qualified Early Childhood Educators, especially trained to work with young children and their families. Family Support is also provided in many of the programs on specific days through Sunshine Coast Community Services. Programming in the centres includes activities that support the pre-literacy development of children through language rich environments and play. Families have the opportunity to participate in circle times that include stories, music, singing and movement. The centres offer many wonderful books for parents to read with their children, and materials such as puppets, felt-boards, and dramatic props are available in order to encourage language and literacy activities. Creativity and self-expression are supported through participation in art, building and play activities. Families also have the opportunity to visit the school gym, playgrounds, and libraries.

StrongStart Parent-Tot Drop-In Centres are open throughout the school year, from September to June, on days when schools are in session. Each day a snack will be provided for all participants. The StrongStart Parent-Tot Drop-In Centres are offered at no charge to families.

Drop-in for a visit!

For more information on the StrongStart program, phone Kirsten Deasey (604) 741-5787