Penticton and District Community Resources Society is reintroducing its Little Triumphs Pre-school program, which had been discontinued in 2009 since combining it with the day care because of the need for an all-day program.
Now with more staff and resources, they are reopening the two-and-a-half-hour program on top of the all-day day care program.
It’s described by program supervisor Fiona Nicholson as a stimulating and enriching early childhood program for children aged three to five years old that provides a variety of activities to support their social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.
“We believe each child is a unique individual who will develop to their potential. The early childhood years are extremely important to increase social skills and help prepare children for the future,” Nicholson said.
Little Triumphs Early Childhood Centre recognizes parents and guardians as partners in their commitment to providing quality service and they are encouraged to be involved in all decisions affecting their child including intake and basic assessments, parent support meetings, program newsletters and daily communication opportunities, as well as observing and participating in pre-school activities and arranging parent meetings to discuss their child’s progress.
The childcare workers promote individuality, healthy lifestyles and families, personal care and hygiene, positive self-concept and respect in an environment that is positive, nurturing and supportive.
“The activities of playing, learning and growing happen in a way in which all children feel they belong. All children have different abilities and aptitudes, an inclusive setting accommodates and builds on those. The program follows the principles of a family-centred approach, shared responsibility and individual planning for children,” said Nicholson.
The program also secures the safest environment possible, which involves active and positive supervision, developmentally appropriate programming and activities, preventative policies and procedures and safe space arrangement of furniture, equipment and activities.
With a licence that’s pending with Interior Health and already one staff in place, they are looking to fill the last early childcare worker position for the tentative program and are currently taking a list of those that would like to join at its start in September.
The full-time cost will be $225 a month, although parents can choose how many days their child attends, and for those that are struggling with economic barriers, they can apply for government subsidy.
Little Triumphs Pre-school will be open weekdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. with the day care running weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.