VICTORIA - This September, pre-schoolers and their families in nine B.C. communities will have access to 10 new StrongStart BC programs responsive to local cultures and languages and will provide early learning resources for families including those living in rural areas.

Highlights of new programs opening in September:

• Nisga'a - the district's first StrongStart BC program to service Gingolx, Laxgalts'ap and Gitwinksilkw as an outreach.
• Sunshine Coast - a new outreach program to service five areas on the Sunshine Coast, including Sechelt, which will work hand-in-hand with a local teen parent program.
• Kamloops-Thompson - a new centre at A. E. Perry Elementary school that reflects local First Nations culture and traditions.
• Surrey - two new centres in vibrant, multicultural areas of Surrey through Senator Reid Elementary and James Ardiel Elementary schools.
• Vancouver - a new centre at Lord Strathcona Elementary school in the downtown east side of Vancouver.
• Central Okanagan - a new centre to support families with young children living in the Peachland Elementary school area.
• Prince Rupert - a new centre at Lax Kxeen Elementary school that will expand access to StrongStart BC programs for families in the area.
• North Okanagan-Shuswap - a new outreach program to service rural parts of the Shuswap area including Celista, Sorrento, Falkland and Salmon Arm.
• Comox Valley - a new outreach program to service rural areas and the islands off of the Comox Valley including Hornby Island, Denman Island, Miracle Beach Elementary, Royston Elementary and Aspen Elementary schools.

The school districts will receive $52,000 for each of the new programs. 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.

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