Early Learning Programs
We work alongside families, local First Nations, and community partners to coordinate a comprehensive and integrated system of services and support for children in the early years from birth to eight years old. Meaningful conversations with families, caregivers, and providers guide educators in personalizing care and support as children transition into school.
The Early Learning Framework is a B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care document that helps align community programs and schools in their work with children in the Sea to Sky corridor and across the province.
In Sea to Sky, our early learning continuum of care encompasses:
| Health Pregnancy Outreach Program (H.P.O.P.) | Prenatal-6 months |
| Mother Goose | Birth-18 months |
| Circle of Security | Birth-2 years |
| Positive Discipline Parenting Program | 2-5 years |
| Child Care Resource and Referral Playgroups | Birth-5 years |
| Strong Start | Birth-5 years |
| Supporting Parents Along the Road to Kindergarten (S.P.A.R.K.) | Birth-5 years |
| Kindergarten Connections | 4-5 years |
| Welcome to Kindergarten | 4-5 years |
| Gradual Entry | 4-5 years |
| Kindergarten | 4-5 years |
| Primary Years | 5-8 years |
Early Childhood Education is a profession in BC. Early childhood educators are certified and highly trained professionals that specialize in early childhood education. They passionately and skillfully deliver high quality programming and care for children and families in our community.
StrongStart in Sea to Sky is a Ministry of Education and Child Care initiative funded in part by Community Action Program for Children (CAPC). In partnership, Sea to Sky School District and Sea to Sky Community Services offers StrongStart at three locations: Squamish Elementary and Valleycliffe Elementary in Squamish and Signal Hill Elementary in Pemberton.
StrongStart BC programs provide spaces of belonging for young children and caregivers at school. They provide rich learning environments to support early development and overall wellbeing: culture and language, physical, cognitive, and social-emotional. Qualified early childhood educators provide learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages. Caregivers participate with their young child (aged birth to five) in play-based early learning activities – including stories, music, movement, and art. StrongStart is a free drop-in program that offers healthy snacks and natural opportunities for connection. In addition, we offer support, information, and resources for families. This program builds community and strengthens the transition to kindergarten.
Sprouts is the name of our new early learning library at Squamish Elementary School. Children and families who attend Strong Start at this location are invited to explore the animals and books in the school's library weekly and participate in circle time and buddy reading with older students in the school.
The goals of this program are to:
- Build community, connection, and belonging.
- Strengthen early years to kindergarten transitions.
S.P.A.R.K.
Supporting Parents Along the Road to Kindergarten (SPARK) is a program funded by BC Ministry of Children and Family Development and Sea to Sky School District. It is founded on the philosophy that learning happens naturally through the experiences, relationships, and joy that families share with their children. SPARK is for parents whose children are newborn to age 5. Caregivers learn important strategies and fun activities that offer vital support to their child's early learning. Families are provided with materials and toys when they attend the program. Parents can also register for the Imagination Library, which mails a free, age-appropriate book every month until their fifth birthday.
We deliver Roots of Empathy programming in select elementary schools in our district each year. Roots of Empathy is an international, evidence and empathy-based classroom program for children ages 5-13. Children in the program build relationship with a baby and their caregiver who visit the classroom throughout the school year. A trained Roots of Empathy instructor designs experiential learning opportunities for children to study a healthy attachment relationship between caregiver and child. Children learn to label feelings and engage in perspective-taking. This program fosters the development of affective and cognitive empathy, and ultimately supports inclusion and integration.
Educator Resources |
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Professional Learning |
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Family Resources |