This is the second article provided by the Early Childhood Development Committee (ECD). The purpose of these articles is to shed light on services that are provided for young families in our communities of Harrison and Agassiz and also provide valuable information on the developing child from 0-6 and ways you can positively influence their growth. This month’s article is to inform you of the members of the ECD Committee and what we provide for you and your young family.
So who are the invested groups sitting on our committee dedicated to serving our young families? We are:
- Agassiz Library a member of Fraser Valley Regional Library
- Agassiz Harrison Community Services featuring Family Parenting Place and Community Access to Literacy and Learning (CALL)
- Strong Start
- B.E.A.R. Bus
- Agassiz Public Health
- Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR)
- Fraser Valley Child Development Centre
- Ministry of Children and Family
- District of Kent- Leisure Centre
- Agassiz Christian Preschool
- District of Kent -Variety Play
- Harrison Preschool and Daycare
- Angel Daycare Centre
Literacy Outreach Coordinator (Read Right Society)
These organizations have programs and services dedicated to you, your little ones and the whole family throughout the year. Some have programs that occur regularly, while other groups have events that occur once a year. There are both free programs and those that are fee based. Come out and venture into your community to experience it for your self.
Are you needing to connect with other parents? Do you want to find a warm and inviting place for your child to play and meet friends? Try Family Parenting Place, Strong Start, and the B.E.A.R. Bus. These programs are free, are drop in and provide social and educational opportunities for both parents and children.
If you are finding stress in your life and looking for services to help you and your child try Agassiz Harrison Community Services and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. There is a variety of services from food hampers to counseling.
If you are looking for more health services and advice try Agassiz Public Health and Fraser Valley Child Development Centre.
Books, songs and stories are integral to the developing mind. Literary experiences for you child can be found at the Agassiz Library, which releases a guide about their upcoming free programs and services, and with C.A.L.L. who has programs which partners with many local organizations. We also have an overarching Literacy Outreach Coordinator with Read Right Society involved in literacy awareness, watch out for those events. Do you think your child is ready to experience movement in a new way or just need to blow off all of that energy? The Leisure Centre organizes wonderful group classes for your toddler and preschooler. Look over their schedule which comes out with the Agassiz-Harrison Observer to find what is right for your child.
Is your 3 or 4 year old ready for preschool? Try Harrison Hot Springs Preschool, Agassiz Christian Preschool, or District of Kent Variety Play. Each preschool offers something uniquely different. One is bound to be right for your child. All three require registration, are fee based and offer high quality programs.
Do you need quality daycare you can trust either occasionally or on a consistent basis? Child Care Resource and Referral which can provide information on how to find quality care and give you some daycare contacts. Do you need a daycare now? Harrison Hot Springs Preschool and Day Care and Angel Day Care in Agassiz provide caring environments for your little one with excellent Early Childhood Education programs within their daycares.
The ECD Committee encompasses many facets of child development and child rearing while working to insure that our Agassiz/Harrison families’ needs are being met. If you have any questions regarding your child and/or parenting any one of these places can either directly help you or point you in the right direction. If you have any ideas on programs, events or child friendly infrastructure that currently does not appear in our communities we would love to know what they are. We will do our best to make your vision of a child friendly community a reality. To get into contact with any of the members of this hard-working committee, contact Kim Verigin, ECD Coordinator at AGHS_ECD@yahoo.com