For Stefanie, three of her four children have enjoyed the benefits of the StrongStart program at Riverview elementary school. Her first child was already in school and too old for the program but her second child enjoyed quality time with his grandmother as she took him to the StrongStart program.
“When my third child was ready I thought we’d try a daycare program but she was so shy and since I couldn’t stay with her, she wouldn’t stay,” she said.
“I knew about the StrongStart program and thought we’d try that with her. At first she only lasted 10 minutes before she had to leave. She was so shy.”
However, Stefanie persevered with her daughter slowly, with the help of StrongStart’s Patty Apps, began to relax and enjoy her time there.
“She learned all the basic skills and fundamentals she’d need for school,” Stefanie said.
“It was a great environment for her and the school was a good setting. She’s now in Grade 4 at Riverview, on the honour role and socializes well with the other children. She even comes back to visit the StrongStart room.”
When her fourth child Charlie was just a baby, she began attending StrongStart with her mom and older sister. She’s grown up with the program and just graduated from StrongStart this year.
It was obvious StrongStart wasn’t just a great for the children but also for the parents who attended with them.
Stefanie said she appreciated the opportunity to network with other parents and caregivers and share information and get answers to some of her questions.