N'Quatqua

Aboriginal Head Start

 

What is Aboriginal Head Start?

BC First Nations Head start ON-Reserve (BCFHS) IS A HOLISTIC, COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM designed to enhance early childhood development, school readiness and over-all family health and wellness for Frist Nations preschool children (birth to six years) on reserve.

 

Unique to head start's early intervention philosophy is the recognition that culture is a fundamental part of a child's healthy development and that caring creativity and confident flow form a strong grounding in community.

 

Each Head Start project is intened to be locally designed and controlled to reflect the uniqueness of its first nations community and culture, while incorporating six core program components. The six components are CULTURE AND LANGUAGE, EDUCATION, HEALTH PROMOTION, NUTRITION, PARENT/FAMILY INVOLVEMENT and SOCIAL SUPPORT.

 

Culture and Language

Head start programs provide children with a positive sense of themselves as First Nations children and provide them with opportunities to understand and experience their culture and language.

 

Education

Head start programs encourage children to enjoy life-long learning by providing rich opportunities for their physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual development.

 

NUTRITION

Head start programs provide children with wholesome food to help them meet their nutritional needs, and provide children and families with information and support in developing healthy eating habits that can be maintained for life.

 

PARENT AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Head start programs support and involve parents and family member as the primary teachers of children, and provide opportunities for parents to be actively involvedd in Head start and to learn and grow as role models for their children.

 

SOCIAL SUPPORT

Head start programs help families connect with resources and community services that can supportand empower them in their roles as parents.

 

                            Children's Programs

 

ABORIGINAL HEAD START PRESCHOOL

This program is provided for children ages 2.5 years old to school aged. Aboriginal Head Start Preschool operates Monday to Thursday from 8:30a.m to 12:30p.m During this time your children will learn "Ucwalmicwts" the traditional St'at'imc language and traditional culture activities such as nature walks, drum making circles and dancing. This program has a focus on school readiness.

 

GROUP DAYCARE

This program is provided for children aged 2.5 years old to school aged. Daycare operates Monday to Thursday from 12:30p.m to 4:30p.m. This program is designed around our Aboriginal Head Start Philosophy.

 

Skalula7 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

This program is provided for children aged 6 to 11 years old. Skalula7 operates Monday to Thursday from 2:30p.m to 6:00p.m. This program focuses on literacy through the ABC's which is auditory, buddy reading and creative writing.

 

                          Outreach Programs

 

PARENT-TOT PROGRAM

Parent-tot drop-in is on Friday morning from 9:30am-12:30pm at the Children's Centre. This is a great opprtunity for parents and toddlers to socialize with the other children in the community and for parents to learn new skills. A snack and lunch will be provided on Friday's with the help of parent volunteers. Watch for community posting for upcoming activities. At the monent this program is under construction.

 

COMMUNITY COOKING NIGHTS

This event takes place once a month at the Children's Center starting a 5:30p.m. Each class is based on a recipe which is provided to each participant. We make both contemporary and cultural recipes. This is a great opportunity to practice meal planning and alternate ways of cooking. We make the meal as a team and enjoy the meal together. We come together to prepare the meal, eat as a group and share the clean up.

 

 

"CHILDREN, THROUGH BEING LOVED, VALUED AND ENCOURAGED WILL GAIN THE COURAGE, THE STRENGTH AND THE WISDOM TO USE THE POWER OF A GOOD MIND AND SPIRIT IN ALL THAT THEY DO."