About 25 parents and children attended the first meeting at Scout Island Nature Centre Tuesday evening to learn all about requirements for the new Nature Kindergarten starting at the nature centre next September.
Attendance at one of two meetings scheduled for this week is required for parents wishing to have their children attend the Nature Kindergarten.
During the session parents and children were given the opportunity to play with snails to illustrate one of the learning principles of the program which is using the natural environment as a co-teacher, says Nature Centre environmental educator Sue Hemphill, who was there to help with the information session.
"We were very pleased with the attendance," says Joan Lozier, School District 27 early years co-ordinator. "Everyone was really excited about their kids coming to the program.
She says 16 registration forms were distributed to parents during the information session.
A second opportunity for parents to learn about the Nature Kindergarten program and pick up application forms takes place tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 14 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Little Moccasins Learning Centre at 228 Fifth Ave. North.
During the session Tuesday evening parents learned about how the program will work and had their questions answered.
The following are answers to some of their questions.
• Busing will be provided.
• Marie Sharpe Elementary is the host school and children will take part in Marie Sharpe school events.
• Parents can have their child stay at Marie Sharpe for Grade 1 or request a transfer through the School District 27's school of choice program.
• A child may enter the French Immersion program at Nesika Elementary School either at the Kindergarten level or start the French Immersion program in Grade 1.