An alternative daycare program for children aged two to five years old in Prince George is expanding to Dawson Creek.
Initially launched two years ago in Prince George, the program called Active Star invites pre-school children to participate in free physical literacy education for two hours each weekday morning along with their parents or care givers.
With the guidance of trained physical leaders, the children are encouraged to engage in movement and play within the open spaces provided by the organization.
Starting mid-September, Active Star will now be offered in Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek, and will continue to be offered in the Northern Sport Centre in Prince George.
Parents, grandparents or car givers of young ones who enroll their youngsters in the program have the opportunity to participate alongside them. They also have the chance to socialize with each other through age-appropriate exercises.
“The cool thing about Active Star is that it also gets new parents or grandparents out there. They’re visiting while they’re all playing. So not only are the children getting some physical literacy, making some friends, learning how to interact with other kids, but the parents, and the grandparents are also doing that. So it’s also a family program,” said Kimberly Feragen, Athlete Coach Services at Engage Sport North.
For those whose children who have outgrown diapers, parents have an option to drop off their children and join the Parent Pump program. This initiative caters to those who wish to exercise and utilize the sports centre facilities while their children engage in their own exercise sessions.
The program can accommodate a maximum of 60 participants per day, with one physical leader assigned to every 10 joiners.
The program was made possible by Enbridge through its Fueling Futures program which donated $5,000 to Engage Sport North to reach more communities. Engage Sport North is happy to connect and work with other communities in northern BC to offer and expand Active Star.
To join the program, participants only need to register through the Engage Sport North website.
