This September, pre-schoolers and their families will have access to a new StrongStart BC program that will provide early learning opportunities to young children in the Peachland area.

The Central Okanagan school district will open a new StrongStart BC program at Peachland Elementary school, where local families can take their children to learn through play while interacting with each other and a licensed early learning educator.

The school district will receive $52,000 for the new program. This includes $20,000 to prepare in-school space, including renovations and the purchase of new equipment and learning materials, and $32,000 to fund the year's operating costs, including staff, professional development, supplies and healthy snacks.

Quotes:

Minister of Education, George Abbott:

"Over the last five years, we have seen the StrongStart BC program grow from 12 pilot projects to 316 programs across the province, with another 10 opening this September. We are committed to the expansion of this valuable program and are focused on communities with the greatest need for support of children and their families."

Penticton MLA, Bill Barisoff:

"StrongStart BC programs help children and parents alike be better prepared for elementary school, and they also help utilize underused classroom space and are cost-effective to taxpayers. StrongStart BC programs are a win-win for all involved and I am excited for Peachland families to have this valuable program in their community."

Central Okanagan board of education chair, Rolli Cacchioni:

"Opening another StrongStart BC program in our district will help us provide the support families need here in the Central Okanagan and with the location of this program in Peachland, all regions of our school district now have access to a quality pre-school program. We are excited to know that in September this new program will be up and running for pre-schoolers and their families."

Quick Facts:

* The first StrongStart BC centre opened at Mountain View Elementary school in Revelstoke in 2006 and, as of September 2011, there will be 326 operating across B.C. The centres also provide valuable referrals to community resources for parents, grandparents and caregivers.

* In 2009-2010, there were nearly half a million visits to StrongStart BC programs across the province (476,000) with more than 24,000 children participating.

* Since 2001, the Province has invested $1.4 billion in literacy and literacy-related initiatives, such as StrongStart BC early learning programs.

Learn More:

Learn more about StrongStart BC programs: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/strongstart_bc/

Learn more about full-day kindergarten programs: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/fdk/

Resources for parents: www.learnnowbc.ca/LearningResources.aspx

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement

Ministry of Education

250 356-5963

Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect