As early as 7:00AM parents begin arriving at the centre, which is located at 296 Radio Street in Newcastle. Colourful classrooms filled with toys and child-size furniture await the children. A loving caregiver, chosen for her nurturing qualities and training in Early Childhood Education, greets them.

“Good morning, Nathan,” she smiles. “Josh has been waiting for you.”

She points to one of the interest centre, where another child busily constructs a space ship with building blocks. Nathan gives his Mom a big kiss and hug and runs off to join his friend at play.

“Nathan loves coming to day care,” his Mom says. “At first I had some reservations about daycare and then my friend told me about JUST KIDS. Now I can say it is one of the best things I have ever done for him. He has learned so much here and has made lots of friends. Even on the weekend, he asks to go to “school!”

“We are so pleased to hear that,” the caregiver grins. “At JUST KIDS our main goal is to make sure every child feels loved and a part of our daycare family.”

By 8:30AM, many children have arrived and each age group disperses to their own classroom.

The Three-year-old children just down the hall in the aquamarine room get ready for a snack. Everyone must wash their hands before eating, so each child in turn goes to the washroom where they are assisted by the caregiver in washing up. Soon the cook arrives with Crackers, cheese and apple juice and the children sit around the table for snack. All children are encouraged to use good manners and to say “please” and “thank you.”

Upstairs in the Pre-kindergarten room, it is Circle Time. The teacher gathers the children around her and they begin by singing the Good Morning song. This leads into a discussion about the weather and what day of the week it is. Following Circle Time the children sit down to do a craft and then it’s off to the playground for some exercise.

Children who attend LILLIPUT LEARNING ACADEMY do not arrive until 8:30 AM. This program operates for three hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for four-year-old children and on Tuesday and Thursday for three year olds.

It provides a more structured learning environment where children learn Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. All subject areas are presented to the child at his/her level of understanding.

The morning begins with a prayer and the singing of “O Canada.” After a time of group instruction; the children are assigned workstations where they proceed to “work” on projects related to the subject area.

Rebecca and Kailey match and sort colour cards while Luke and Jonathan busy themselves assembling an alphabet puzzle. The children eagerly move from one task to another, completing each one before moving on to the next.

Following a mid-morning snack, the children move on to the next subject area. The morning concludes for the Lilliput class with a lesson in French and a prayer of thanks for the lovely day.

The rest of the centre cleans up for lunch, which will be served at 11: 30 AM. Today the cook has prepared meat loaf, mashed potatoes and corn niblets, Yum! Yum!

The children gather around the table and together they ask the blessing. The meal is then served and staff members join in lunch with the children.

Following lunch, all children brush their teeth and get ready for rest period. Most two and three year old children rest on their cot for about two hours. Those children, who do not require a rest, play quietly in another classroom.

In the afternoon, the atmosphere is relaxed and if weather permits, everyone will head out into the back yard.

For more information about JUST KIDS PRESCHOOL and LILLIPUT LEARNING CENTRE Phone: 506-622-3041 Fax: 506-622-8878 Email: info@justkidspreschool.com or check out their website www.justkidspreschool.com