Day one of school had a different set of first timers in eight Nova Scotia regions. Four-year-olds were among those marking their first day of school in the new full day Early Learning Program.
The 4-year-old program is part the Early Years Centres, a project to expand programming in Nova Scotia schools for children 0-3, and to provide after-school, public health, family support and, intervention services. The goal is to create school-based community hubs providing families with one-stop access to a range of programming responding to their needs. This model of integrated service delivery has been shown to reduce wait times for specialized services and reduce stress for children and their parents.
Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation Inc.’s program director, Jane Bertrand, visited the sites, along with Kerry McCuaig of the Atkinson Centre, and June McLoughlin of Melbourne, Australia, who oversee a large integrated program in Doveton.
Clark Rutherford Memorial School, Cornwallis, Annapolis Royal
Principal Nora Vance Gray meets with the early years team.
One of the rooms in the early years centre. The centre’s family room.
École Beau-Port, Arichat on Isle Madame
Family resource leader Louise Migneault explains the philosophy of the Early Learning Centre.
Helping out a friend. The centre’s family room.
West Highlands School, Amherst
West Highlands School opened its doors in March 2015 and the Early Years Centre is already drawing families across the community.
Principal Kevin Mapplebeck, and Denise Stone, Director, Early Years Integration and Community Development for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
June McLoughlin, Coordinator at Doveton College outside Melbourne, Australia, shares lessons in the development of a community school.
Children in the early learning program document their work.
A sensory room to support programming for children with exceptional needs.
East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy, Monastery
The reading centre is popular in the Early Learning Program.
Don’t bother me, I’m concentrating!
Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation program director, Jane Bertrand discusses documentation with the Centre’s director, Carolyn Webber.
The green outdoor playground is a hit with the children, complete with a living arch, outdoor kitchen and herb garden.
Yarmouth Central School, Yarmouth
Jared Purdy, Principal of Yarmouth Central School outlines the growth and functions of the program.
Music is an important part of the fun in the Early Learning Program.
New Germany Elementary School, New Germany
The resource centre.
Early Childhood Educator Gillian Kiely welcomes a new group of 4-year olds this term.
Donna Stapleton, Executive Director of the Small World Early Learning Centre discusses programming with MWMFF program director, Jane Bertrand.
Learning takes place in and outside the classroom.
New Germany boasts a natural playground which is a favourite with the children.
Jubilee School in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton
Principal Higgins meets with the early years management team.
Problem solving in the Early Learning Program.
