This lovely neighbourhood preschool is having an open house at 470 Roosevelt Avenue (on the second floor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, two streets west of Churchill and just south of Byron) on March 2nd from 6:30-8:00 pm.
If you are thinking of putting a child in preschool I can assure you that this one is worth checking out. My oldest son attended for 2 years and loved every minute, made good friends and got lots of energy out in the big gym. (My middle son refused to attend, but that's another story, and the reason why I can do another post about the Westboro Nursery School in the Dovercourt building!)
I'm aware of 4 non-profit preschools in the neighbourhood and each one has its own features. Location of course is key for most people. If you can walk to preschool so much the better. Who's attending? If your child knows other children in the class it can ease the initial separation anxiety and also make it a chance for you to connect with parents you know. Is the school "a fit" for your child and you? That's a bit more difficult to describe but you'll know it when it's there. The setting, the teachers, the other students, the routine, even the other parents all play into this.
Some key features of the WVCP program that are worth noting and that distinguish it from others:
The Programs:
- students can start as early as 2 years old (most preschools are for 2 1/2 and up);
- 2 spaces are kept available for childrren who are 2 by December 31st.;
- classes run from 9:15-11:30 with an optional lunch program available;
- classes for the 2s are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and for the 3s are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday;
- there is an afternoon program for 3s and 4s (after morning JK) that runs on Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 12:30-3:30;
- it has a weekly optional french program from 11:30 - 2:00 for the 3s program.
- it's diaper friendly (disposable or cloth);
- it has a full size gym with lots of toys (including lots of ride-ons!) so the children get their energy out for the last 1/2 hour of the program!
- the Director, Sue Ellen Nevala, has been with the school since 2004. She is ECE qualified, has a qentle approach with the children and lots of experience;
- It has a lovely music teacher - Nancy Lockwood - who engages incredibly well, up-close and hands-on-instruments with the little crowd;
- it requires parents to assist with duty days and other co-operative responsibilities; it may be more intense than other co-ops in this regard but it may also be worth it!
- the motto is "Learning through Play" - lovely! and it's practised.
Who knows. They might even do a really cute Christmas show! If you are interested in registering your child for one of the fall sessions or want to check out the preschool's facilities, please stop by the open house - admission is free. For more information visit http://www.wvcp.ca/ or e-mail wvcp.registrar@gmail.com.
