StrongStart GO
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qathet School District is proud to offer an outdoor version of our amazing StrongStart program throughout qathet Region parks and playgrounds. This exciting outdoor play-based early learning program is a free drop-in program offered to families with children ages zero to five years old. Qualified early childhood educators lead learning activities, share valuable information and even provide a nutritious snack for participating children.
We run our program rain, shine, or snow from October through June. Our only indoor location is at Texada where we are based out of the community school.
This is a family program where parents/caregivers remain with their children and participate in the program together.
Registration
All children participating in StrongStart BC must be registered with the Ministry of Education. Once a registration is complete it can then be used for all K-12 schools in B.C.
The school district is using the MyEdBC on-line registration process for student registration. Parents will be able to create their MyEducation account by clicking on this link.
- Select BC login account and begin to prepare your registration.
Please ensure you have the following information ready prior to proceeding
- Valid email address.
- Proof of child's age and citizenship (scan or photo) (Birth Certificate or Passport).
Once you submit your registration, you will receive confirmation via email.
Need Help with Registration?
- For first time registration, follow along with this video
- Once you have your parent portal password, follow along with this video
Paper registration forms are also available at all StrongStart locations and the School Board Office (4351 Ontario Avenue).
Attendance
Once you are registered you are welcome to attend any StrongStart GO! location or StrongStart centre. Please ensure you record your attendance, using the electronic attendance forms provided at the entrance, each time you visit a StrongStart location. Participants can use the centre-based iPads or their own devices (using a QR code) to submit attendance.
2024/2025 Program Details and Schedule:
| Location | Days Open | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Texada @ Elementary School - Waterman Ave. | Mondays - every second week | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| Lund Community Centre - 9656 Larson Rd. | Mondays - every second week | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Edgehill Elementary Outdoor Class - 7312 Abbotsford St. | Tuesday - every second week | 9:30 to 11:30 AM |
| Lindsay Park - 7179 Cranberry St. | Tuesday - every second week | 9:30 to 11:30 AM |
| Sunset Park - Chilco Ave. | Wednesday - every second week | 9:30 to 11:30 AM |
| Willingdon Beach Park - 6911 Abbotsford St. | Wednesday - every second week | 9:30 to 11:30 AM |
| Lang Bay @ Fish Hatchery - 10556 Sunshine Coast Hwy | Thursdays | 9:30 to 11:30 AM |
| Larry Gouthro Park - Manson Ave. | Fridays - every second week | 9:30 to 11:30 AM |
*All StrongStart programs follow the school calendar and will be closed on statutory holidays, Winter, Spring, Summer Breaks, qathet School District Pro-D Days, and the last Wednesday of every month.
2024/2025 Special Event Schedule:
One Tuesday every month will be a special event that includes all StrongStart facilitators. On this day all school based StrongStart programs will be closed. More information about the events will be shared at StrongStart GO at our StrongStart centres and online closer to the date. Please come join us rain or shine.
| Date | Location | Hours of Operation |
| October 1st | Tla'amin Nation | 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
| November 5th | Outdoor Learning Centre - Powell Lake | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
| February 4th | Palm Beach | 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
| March 4th | Outdoor Learning Centre - Powell Lake | 9:30 am - 12:00 pm |
| May 6th | Lindsay Park | 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
| June 19th | Outdoor Learning Centre - Powell Lake | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm |
StrongStart Calendar
Tips on How to Dress
One barrier to enjoying the outdoors is the clothes we wear. Key to comfort are layers, raingear and footwear. Layers help keep our body temperature comfortable, raingear protects from both wind and rain and footwear keep our feet comfortable.
- A backpack keeps supplies available while outdoors.
- Warm layers, kept ready in the car, make the ride home comfortable.
- A waterproof container, kept in your vehicle, is handy to transport wet clothes.
