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StrongStart Early Learning Centre

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Home > Early Years > StrongStart Early Learning Centre

StrongStart is a school-based, free, drop-in program for families with young children (aged birth to five).

Parents/caregivers accompany their child in play-based early learning activities. The provincial StrongStart program is in place to help prepare children for a successful transition in to school. 

Qualified Early Childhood Educators lead learning activities where children learn through PLAY! Carefully selected materials and activities will promote the language, physical, cognitive, social and emotional well-being in each child.

Registration

  • If you have previously registered your child for StrongStart, you do not need to re-register.
  • If you have not yet registered your child in StrongStart, registration is available online.

Before you begin the process, please have one of the following documents available:

  • Your child’s Canadian birth certificate
  • Your child’s Canadian passport
  • Your child’s Immigration Canada document (Permanent resident card, Visitor visa, etc).

Please note, we cannot accept a BC Services Card as proof of ID.

For those who prefer, paper copies will still be available. You can download the PDF Registration form here .  Please contact your school to submit a paper copy and required documents. Please remember a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate, passport or Immigration document is also required to register.

Have you moved? Has your child already been registered at a StrongStart Centre outside of Nanaimo-Ladysmith? Please contact your school.

Register for StrongStart StrongStart Brochure

Things to Know

  • Please have only 1 adult attend if possible to allow for more spaces for children during this time.
  • Drop in between the hours of 9:00am – 12:00pm at the centres
  • There are up to 25 spots (adults and children combined) available per centre.
    As you arrive, look for the Red/Green card on the sign/door/cone. Green there is space, red is sorry we are full.
  • Sign in when you arrive at the StrongStart room.
  • Be respectful of peoples’ personal space and follow all guidelines in place.
  • Stay home if unwell.
  • Use respiratory etiquette. (e.g. sneeze into a tissue).
  • Masks are optional.
  • Perform healthy hand hygiene. (e.g. washing hands when arriving)
  • Footwear must be worn when in the centre. Please bring inside footwear for adults and children to wear. It helps keep our centres clean for the babies crawling around.

View our Parent Policy below and if you have more questions about StrongStart, please email StrongStart@sd68.bc.ca.

Parent Policy (English) Parent Policy (Mandarin) Parent Policy (Arabic)

StrongStart Signs

To help support families, families will know if there is space when they arrive. Outside of the school, there will be either a Green Sign, meaning “Come on in there is space”, or a Red Sign, meaning “Sorry we are full. See you soon”. 

Resources for Early Years

When I Go To Kindergarten
BC Early Learning Framework A Guide for Families
Let’s Play Activities for Families
Play Today A Guide for Families

StrongStart Notices

StrongStart Centres will open on Monday, September 15, 2025.

The hours from September 15 until October 3 will be from 10:00am – 12:00pm. The hours are shorter during this time period for our StrongStart facilitators to support the Kindergarten transition.

Beginning October 6, all StrongStart Centres will be open from 9:00am – 12:00pm.

StrongStart Centres follow the same schedule as schools and are closed on professional development days and all holidays. They are also closed on the following days:

StrongStart Centres

Program Spotlight

Forest Fridays were created where StrongStart participants from McGirr and Frank J. Ney elementary schools will head to the forest for playtime.

Forest Friday’s – Have a peak at the first one!