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Children and parents now have a new StrongStart centre to enjoy at Madeira Park Elementary School.

On June 9, children, families, community members and School District No. 46 (SD46) personnel gathered to celebrate the StrongStart program at Madeira Park Elementary School. StrongStart centres provide a drop-in program for young children and their families located within a school setting. The Madeira Park StrongStart program opened its doors last September and has enjoyed a successful first year.

StrongStart programs are offered through the support of the provincial government and are operated by SD46.

Three StrongStart centres are currently available on the Sunshine Coast, located in Gibsons, Sechelt and now Madeira Park elementary schools. Children from birth to age five and their parents, grandparents or caregivers can visit these centres free of charge any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on days when school is in session. The centres are staffed with qualified early childhood educators, specially trained to work with young children and their families.

Families can participate in circle times filled with singing and stories and new activities for the children are available every day. Families also have the opportunity to visit the school gym, libraries and playgrounds and to enjoy a nutritious daily snack time. Two more StrongStart centres are scheduled to open on the Sunshine Coast this September in Halfmoon Bay and Roberts Creek elementary schools.

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