Barbara Roden
Free Press
Parents and caregivers with children up to five years are invited to participate in one of the Ready, Set, Learn Service Provider Fairs taking place throughout the region in February.
This year’s events feature the new “Three Year Old Round Up,” and Shelly Joyner, Early Years co-ordinator for School District No. 27, says this age group needs to be targeted.
“We’re able to keep track of children up to 18 months old through Interior Health, and then again when they start kindergarten at age five.
"The Three Year Old Round Up was started in Williams Lake last year, and it’s a great way to support kids at this in-between age.”
She notes that if children have developmental issues, the earlier the processes are in place to support them the better.
“All three-year-olds who attend one of the events will get learning bags containing items, such as scissors, writing tools and paper, so that all families have these in their homes.”
The bags will be distributed after the events to places, such as libraries and StrongStart centres, and any children attending the fairs will also take home a free book.
The fairs are intended to bring together service providers so parents and caregivers can ask questions. Joyner stresses the events are open to anyone who is looking after young children, whether they’re parents, foster parents, other family members, or daycare service providers.
“We have daycares come with their entire class.”
There will be a lot for the children to do, including play stations, readings, singing and snacks.
One thing Joyner is especially pleased with is this year there will be two fairs in 100 Mile House: one during the evening on Feb. 4 at 100 Mile House Elementary School (5 to 6:30 p.m.), during which a light dinner will be served; the other will be during the day on Feb. 18 at the Kindergym at 100 Mile Community Hall (9:45 to 11:45 a.m.).
Other fairs take place at Forest Grove Elementary School (Feb. 2), Horse Lake Elementary School (Feb. 16), Lac la Hache Elementary School (Feb. 24), and Mile 108 Elementary School (Feb. 25) - all events will run from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
“You don’t have to go to the school, where your child will be enrolled,” says Joyner, “and people are welcome to attend more than one event.”
All of the fairs coincide with StrongStart sessions, and will replace those on the dates in question, she adds.
“It’s a lot of fun and really nice to see the families come out.”
For more information, call or text Joyner at 250-395-9303.
