Early Learning
NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR - RESERVE YOUR CHILD'S SPOT TODAY
Our Goal
We focus on early childhood development, including physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and social development.
Our Purpose
We strive to meet the social, physical, intellectual, creative, cultural, emotional, and developmental needs and interests of all children, including children with special needs. We encourage play-based learning rooted in children’s interests and foster their desire to learn.
We provide a safe, secure, and comfortable place for children to learn;
We ensure children's positive self-concept as strong, independent learners;
We promote a positive self-image;
We provide an atmosphere for developing social and interpersonal skills.
Our Values
ELC strives to provide a loving, safe, caring, and compassionate environment where children love to learn.
We honor each child and honor our traditions as First Nation People. We promote language, land-based teaching, and cultural knowledge through our Cree language and culture program.
We engage our students in active, hands-on playful learning through classroom activities, Cree language, and speech/language programming.
We have professionally certified teachers and instructors to guide in the development of a successful child for future grade learning.
The Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik Early Learning Center provides programming in early learning to children who are 3, 4, and 5 years of age. A coordinated approach is used to ensure there are common expectations and common practices across the entire learning center.
This programming includes "Head Start" (3-year-old programming), PreKindergarten (K4),
and Kindergarten (K5).
Our Early Learning programs prepare our children for future learning and help them develop self-confidence, literacy, social, and communication skills while developing a strong Neheyaw identity.
OUR PROGRAMS
HEAD START
Aboriginal Head Start Urban and Northern Initiative
Students aged 3 can attend either our Tuesday/Wednesday group or Thursday/Friday group from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
PreKindergarten (K4)
Students aged 4 as of DEC 31 can attend Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Kindergarten (K5)
Students aged 5 as of DEC attend or full day program Monday - Friday from 8:40 am - 3:30 pm
CREE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Neheyahwatisowin
The term ‘neheyawatisowin’ is best described as ‘The act of being a Cree person’ because it involves the ‘doing’ of our cultural knowledge and practices as neheyaw people. By learning cultural knowledge and practices, it becomes our sense of identity, this identity nurtures our neheyaw spirit.
Our ELC parents/families learn about our neheyaw ways of doing and being. In order to succeed in this endeavour we must transfer neheyaw knowledge in a good and positive way. Neheyaw cultural understandings and oral histories from our community knowledge keepers and Elders need to be transferred to our students and their families through engagement in cultural activities. We have a beautiful site at Kapaskwatinak Cultural Centre that helps us transfer cultural knowledge by grounding us on the land in a perfect setting.
We speak our language and teach our students and parents how to communicate in our neheyawewin. Our neheyaw values (natural laws) help us to confront any challenges with a positive mindset and strong cultural knowledge. This strength can be reinforced by learning and being able to communicate in our neheyawewin. Our way of looking at the world comes from our language and is not the same as understanding another non-indigenous language. We work with our parents in the ELC program so that they in turn can transfer some knowledge to their children; our students.
Our goal is to ensure our children know who they are and where they come from. We are a vibrant and alive Cree community and our children will know that and be proud of being Bigstone Cree.
Infusion of Cree through the Day
Through visuals in the classroom;
Cree language is used throughout instruction as much as the teacher and EA is able;
Adults in the school intentionally speak the language;
Cree language and culture classes are embedded in the timetable;
Cree language is promoted during family events;
Children are encouraged to share their knowledge about Cree language and culture from school to home;
School Elder in the ELC;
Community Elder visits.
NUTRITION
We provide a HOT Breakfast and Lunch for each student.
Neheyahwatisowin Family Nights
ELC plans Family nights on a monthly basis. Our family nights promote Cree cultural knowledge and practices. Check our events calendar to see what events we have scheduled for the upcoming month. Events might include: Horse and Wagon Rides, Pelts & Fur, Moose Calling
Student Services
ELC believes in supporting of the whole child.
The Student Services Department provides programs and support that will ensure the best outcomes for all students attending the school. Through quality pedagogy in the classroom, assessment to identify needs, support provided according to those needs, specialized programs and services, and partnerships with external services all students' needs are addressed.
The ELC has access to a/an:
LPN (Nurse practicioner on-site)
Community/family Liaison On-site
Psychologist
Speech and Language specialists
Occupational therapist
Physical therapist
Family Engagement
Parent and family involvement is promoted throughout the school year with functions such as:
In-class & school-wide for celebrations
Reading to students in class
Literacy nights
Contact Phone number: 825 265 0066