The Okanagan Skaha School District is opening a new early years program with locations throughout the district.
The Okanagan Skaha Early Years Centre, in partnership with Penticton and District Community Resources Society, is a one-stop hub providing a place for families to access resources and the early years services they need.
The centre will have physical locations within the school district: Summerland Community Hub and Queen’s Park, Parkway, Kaleden and Naramata Elementary schools. The early years facilitator will also provide outreach to meet with families where they live, work and gather, as well as establish the most effective times to connect and the best ways to meet.
Eileen Muzzin has been chosen as facilitator for the new program, coming to the Okanagan from Vancouver where she has a background in early childhood development, early identification and intervention and family support.
Muzzin has worked with children and families in Vancouver and Richmond since 1997. She was the co-ordinator of a non-profit childcare centre run by Kiwassa Neighbourhood House in East Vancouver for eleven years. In 2008, she began working at the PACE Program, a therapeutic and educational centre for children.
As the team leader of outreach support services, she supported childcare teams and families with young children who struggle with significant emotional and/or behavioural challenges.
Muzzin will provide resources and referrals as well opportunities for parents to learn and support one another through groups and workshops.