Welcome to Kindergarten

Transitioning from preschool or childcare into school can be particularly challenging for parents and their children when extra supports are required. Additional care is needed to ensure a smooth process and understand how to navigate the school system. This workshop is designed for parents of preschoolers and kindergarteners to learn what to expect during those first months of kindergarten, and for educators working with parents whose children are transitioning to kindergarten. Participants will talk about a child’s rights and a parent’s rights, getting prepared for kindergarten, approaching inclusive education, exploring FSI’s online Toolkits and resources, honoring cultural considerations, growing parent-professional relationships, and building support networks.

Living Inquiries: 

• Well-being and belonging.
• Identities, social responsibility and diversity.

Pathways: 

• Pathways for engaging with Well-Being and Belonging.
• Diversity and difference – Each child and each family is included, welcomed, and celebrated. All children’s and families’ cultures are welcome, valued, and woven into programs in ways that are transformative.
• Indigenous voices and perspectives. Educators consider Indigenous resources and begin conversations with colleagues, families, and children about weaving culture and cultural practices into accessing support and resources.
• Identities, Social Responsibility and Diversity. Family origins, cultural background, place of origin, allegiance and affiliation, citizenship, and other identities Children become confident in their identities, including cultural, racial, physical, spiritual, linguistic, gender, social, and economic. Individual differences Children and adults accept and value difference in others and in themselves.
• Social responsibility and justice. Children and educators discuss social justice issues such as segregation, diversity, poverty, race, war, gender, discrimination, and inequity.

Suitable for students, parents, adult instructors/administrators, intermediate and experienced early care and learning professionals working with children of all ages, from infants/toddlers to school age children, including children with extra support needs.

Facilitator(s): Heather Beach

Heather Beach is the Regional Network Coordinator for the Family Support Institute, a non-profit supporting families with disabilities. Heather’s additional roles at FSI include Toolkit Project Manager and Cultural Competency, Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) Project Coordinator. A parent to a child with Prader Willi Syndrome, she has been both giving and receiving peer support with FSI and as former President of the BC Prader Willi Syndrome Association.

Register here: Welcome to Kindergarten (4810-8100) :: Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre