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WHAT IS OUR KINDERGARTEN?
The Hounsfield Heights - Briar Hill Community Kindergarten is an ancillary group of the Hounsfield Heights - Briar Hill Community Association. It operates as a private, non-profit Kindergarten program and has been part of our community since the 1960’s. Since 1972 it has operated in the Briar Hill School at 1233-21 Street N.W. It shares the west wing of the school with two Grade 1 classes, the Briar Hill Children's Programs (which includes an out-of-school care program and a daycare) and the Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill Parent-Child Co-op Playschool.
Our program has access to the Briar Hill School library, the school gymnasium and its equipment, the playground and community park across the street. We utilize community resources available to us, both professional (public health nurses, police, firemen etc.) and non-professional (parents or staff with special skills or interests). Physical resources in the community consistent with our program's goals are also utilized, such as the local fire station and library.
Our Kindergarten is licensed, approved and subsidized by the Alberta Ministry of Education. Government funding is received directly by the Kindergarten and the disbursement of all funds is managed by the Local Advisory Committee (LAC), the decision-making body within the Kindergarten.
We differ from the Calgary Board of Education Kindergarten programs in that we rely on parent volunteers to administer the program along with a paid Teacher. This gives us local autonomy in many areas such as hiring staff, determining class size, fee structure and field trip experiences. The biggest advantage to our program is that once the minimum program standards of Alberta Education have been met, we can provide program enhancement. Along with this flexibility and control comes responsibility and commitment to maintain the program at the standards outlined by Alberta Education. The viability of our program is directly related to parent commitment.
GOALS OF THE KINDERGARTEN
We strive to uphold the philosophy, goals and program standards set by Alberta Education. We try to be as inclusive as possible within the constraints of our physical space and needs of the children. Our primary goal is to contribute to the development of a positive self image in our children and to enhance their creative, intellectual, emotional, social and physical development. The children are prepared for successful learning in grade one by development of four interrelated and interactive aspects of learning:
- Social and Emotional - separation anxiety, large and small group experiences, sharing, interactions between children.
- Intellectual - alphabet recognition and sounds, printing, counting, spelling, reading readiness.
- Physical - gross and fine motor skills.
- Creative - drama, music, arts and crafts, movement skills.
Instructional activities in Kindergarten intend to integrate five areas of learning as they relate to development:
- Communication: Literacy and Numeration.
- Community and Environmental Awareness.
- Creative and Cultural Expression.
- Physical Skills and Well Being.
- Personal and Social Responsibility
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