A drop-in preschool program has opened at Eric Langton as part of the school district's expanded mandate to provide early childhood education, getting children ready to learn and familiar with the school system.

Carey Wright, facilitator for the StrongStart program at Eric Langton Elementary was hoping to have five programs running in SD42, but is happy to have the one program for children aged zero to five. She's an employee at the Family Education and Support Centre, which has been contracted by the district to run StrongStart.

On Friday morning, children are doing crafts at a table preparing for Diwali, the Indian celebration of light, directed by Wright, shaping playdough into little creatures and playing with toys on the floor. Like most preschools, there are snacks and circle time. There's also coffee and tea for the caregivers.

About four families with six to seven children have been dropping into the centre daily since it opened on Oct. 29…

..” Most preschools are either full or too expensive, Doyle said, and with four children, her family can't put hundreds of dollars into just one child. She said Katie calls the centre her "school" and Wright her "teacher."

The school boards in the province have been changed to "Boards of Education" which expands their role to include early education - children aged zero to five - and adult education, colloquially referred to as "twinkle to twilight" education.

Five million dollars has been given province-wide for the StrongStart programs, each one receiving $50,000. The money originated from the federal government's Early Learning and Child Care Agreements to the Ministry of Children and Family Development. An agreement between the Ministry of Education and MCFD resulted in the school boards overseeing the program….

Children must be accompanied by a caregiver, and participation is mandatory.