North Delta Parent Participation Preschool

Learning and Growing Together since 1959

11601 82nd Avenue North Delta, BC V4C 2C3 604-878-4800

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How much time is really involved helping in a Parent Participation Preschool?

You will have approximately:

2 duty sessions each month 1 evening-meeting each month an ongoing "job" which you will do all year, for example scrapbooking, hospitality for meetings, or more involved positions like treasurer, and secretary 3 to 4 hours participation in fundraising events, for example: Bowling Night, Pub Night, or a bottle drive.

What do I do on a duty session?

The teachers direct all the children's activities. You are there to help supervise and encourage the children. The practical running of the classroom is shared by the parents and teachers.

Is there any flexibility as to when I am on duty?

Yes, a schedule is made for each upcoming month and you are welcome to indicate your preferred time. Also, parents can exchange duty days to benefit each other.

How is it decided what my job will be?

We ask all members what their special interests are. Anything you enjoy doing which is useful to the group can usually be made at least a part of your job.

What kind of guidelines are there for doing each job properly?

There are job description folders covering all aspects of each job and group members already familiar with each job will be helping you.

Are there any special skills I will need to have?

The only special skills we really need are your energy, sensitivity to children's needs and a willingness to share these aspects of you. Through our Parent Education Program we make sure that everyone feels at home in the classroom and with all the children.

What is the Parent Education Program?

The Community Care Facilities Board recognizes that very few parents are trained to be, or even feel comfortable as teacher assistants, but in a Parent Participation Preschool you are a classroom assistant twice a month, and have some responsibility for the safety and well being of a number of children.

Parent Participation Preschools are licensed to operate on condition that the parent assistants have 10 hours of orientation prior to working in the classroom and 1-1/2 hours parent education each month of the school year.

Parent Education throughout the year is a part of each meeting. Topics of very broad interest to all parents are prescribed and discussed. Good speakers are often featured and the whole education program is very lively and enjoyable.

Is a Parent Participation Preschool something that a working parent could cope with?

Yes! We have many working parents at the preschool.

There are some things to consider. A part-time work schedule is often easier to accommodate. If both parents are in full time employment it can be challenging, but it is not impossible.

Involvement in preschool is divided between evening meetings and daytime activities. The duty sessions must be undertaken by the parent who has attended orientation and education sessions.

Our school has some flexibility for partial-participating parents. You would still be required to take on a family job and attend meetings, but duty days could be performed by a caregiver or other duty parent (at a nominal cost).

For further information, please contact the Enrolment Officer.

How many fathers are involved in preschool activities?

Each year more fathers are taking time and a great interest in what preschool offers their children. They are always welcome to join in classroom activities and excursions and become involved in the "backstage" jobs of running the school. However, only those fathers who choose to undertake the orientation program may do duty days.

It sounds like quite a sociable group. Are any social activities actually planned for the families?

Yes, there are several occasions during the year when family members are invited. You will be free to make whatever commitment you want to these events. For example, Special Persons' Night, occasional fund raising events, picnics, family Christmas Party, and more.

Doesn't all this get a little expensive?

Your expenses during the year are the registration fee, monthly fees and a contribution to a fund raising event. You will be required to bring a small nutritious snack for your child each day and provide a snack/treat for the class on your child's birthday.

What about classes and fees?

Please contact the preschool about current fees for each class.

We have two classes:

Polar is for 3 and 4 year olds. Polar classes are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Fees are payable over 10 months.

Panda is for 3 and 4 year olds. Panda classes are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings 9:30 to 11:30 am. Fees are payable over 10 months.

When are the fees due?

The registration fee is due immediately upon receiving the enrolment package.

Post-dated cheques for monthly fees are required by the August Class Coffee Party and/or the New Parent's Workshop. This eliminates financial worries for the whole group.

Cheques are dated the 1st of each month (payable to NDPPP). January newcomers are required to submit post-dated cheques prior to their first child's class.

All enrolment forms must be completed, signed and submitted prior to the first day of school in order to maintain our license.

What do you think my child will gain from being in a Parent Participation Preschool?

Enjoyment, confidence, self-discipline and awareness, social and physical skills, emotional and intellectual growth, and a sense of belonging. And, your child will also have lots and lots of fun!

What are the advantages of a Parent Participation Preschool?

In a Parent Participation Preschool, you and your child are surrounded by other adults who want to play an active role in their child's education and development.

Your child will have opportunity to play, to learn to socialize with their peers, to trust other adults, to develop new skills, and most of all, to have fun.

For you, the parent, a Parent Participation Preschool provides so much more than just a little free time to pursue your own interests: it is a wonderful opportunity for learning.

Learn by watching your own child. Watch how your child tries and triumphs, grows and changes from the many and varied experiences which are presented during a preschool year. You will be amazed and delighted.

Learn from your teacher. Watch how she treats each child as an individual and helps the child become a member of a group.

Learn from the parent education: see it as an opportunity rather than as an obligation and you will surely benefit.

Learn to work together with other members of your preschool for the common goal of making the preschool experience the very best it can be.

Give a little of yourself; each parent is unique and brings their personality and special talents to this preschool experience. Give a little and you will receive much.

Anything else?

Enjoy each day and this preschool experience will surpass your every expectation!

Find out what's new at the preschool, we are on both Facebook & Twitter!

all text & images �2011 North Delta Parent Participation Preschool