Comments on: Free Strong Start program for preschoolers expands to West End http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/ Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:05:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Linda http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/comment-page-1/#comment-2422 Linda Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:33:25 +0000 http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/?p=2550#comment-2422 Thank you, Briana, for the great comparison of the two! I will definitely check out Strong Start in the future, but since I'm 8 months pregnant now I think chasing after my 18-month-old in a gym would be a bit much. I'll stick to Family Place (where the volunteers really are amazing about helping me out and the space is confined) until I'm more mobile. Thank you! Thank you, Briana, for the great comparison of the two! I will definitely check out Strong Start in the future, but since I'm 8 months pregnant now I think chasing after my 18-month-old in a gym would be a bit much. I'll stick to Family Place (where the volunteers really are amazing about helping me out and the space is confined) until I'm more mobile. Thank you!

]]> By: Briana Tomkinson http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/comment-page-1/#comment-2228 Briana Tomkinson Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:18:16 +0000 http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/?p=2550#comment-2228 Linda: Strong Start is actually a lot like Family Place. The differences: - SS allows unrelated caregivers to bring children. Family Place restricts it to parents, grandparents and other family members. - SS has gym time, in which the kids get to run around the gymnasium chasing bouncy balls and hula hoops. FP doesn't have this active component. - Based on the time I went to FP, I think SS has better snacks: fresh fruit, crackers and dry cereal with water (not juice). - FP cuts off entry after a certain number of kids. SS has never turned people away when I have come. That means it can sometimes get busier than FP. Since I bus, this is a plus for me (I would hate to come and be turned away) but if you or your kid can't stand a crowd some days might be challenging for you. - SS also seems to have messier fun: shaving cream on the table, fingerpaints, a flour/sand bin, etc. - Both offer coffee & tea for parents BUT - FP has parent education programs that SS doesn't have - FP has an awesome toy lending library - At FP you can ask for someone to watch your kid for a minute if you really need a break. At SS this happens much more informally. You are expected to be with or nearby at all times. Those are the differences I can think off, of the top of my head. They are both good fun for kids! Linda: Strong Start is actually a lot like Family Place. The differences:

- SS allows unrelated caregivers to bring children. Family Place restricts it to parents, grandparents and other family members.

- SS has gym time, in which the kids get to run around the gymnasium chasing bouncy balls and hula hoops. FP doesn't have this active component.

- Based on the time I went to FP, I think SS has better snacks: fresh fruit, crackers and dry cereal with water (not juice).

- FP cuts off entry after a certain number of kids. SS has never turned people away when I have come. That means it can sometimes get busier than FP. Since I bus, this is a plus for me (I would hate to come and be turned away) but if you or your kid can't stand a crowd some days might be challenging for you.

- SS also seems to have messier fun: shaving cream on the table, fingerpaints, a flour/sand bin, etc.

- Both offer coffee & tea for parents

BUT

- FP has parent education programs that SS doesn't have

- FP has an awesome toy lending library

- At FP you can ask for someone to watch your kid for a minute if you really need a break. At SS this happens much more informally. You are expected to be with or nearby at all times.

Those are the differences I can think off, of the top of my head. They are both good fun for kids!

]]> By: Linda http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/comment-page-1/#comment-2226 Linda Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:32:50 +0000 http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/?p=2550#comment-2226 Strong Start sounds amazing! It's the first time I'm hearing about it. But I'm wondering how it stacks up against New West Family Place. NWFP is close to our house while Strong Start would require some driving, but the afternoon times would actually work better for my early napper. I'd love to hear from someone who's been to both. Anyone? Strong Start sounds amazing! It's the first time I'm hearing about it. But I'm wondering how it stacks up against New West Family Place. NWFP is close to our house while Strong Start would require some driving, but the afternoon times would actually work better for my early napper. I'd love to hear from someone who's been to both. Anyone?

]]> By: Jill http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/comment-page-1/#comment-2224 Jill Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:11:19 +0000 http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/?p=2550#comment-2224 Also good for people with little ones still doing two naps... we always have to leave by 10:30 or so from the McBride SS. Also good for people with little ones still doing two naps… we always have to leave by 10:30 or so from the McBride SS.

]]> By: Briana Tomkinson http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/comment-page-1/#comment-2220 Briana Tomkinson Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:25:01 +0000 http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/?p=2550#comment-2220 I know, I don't think the time will work for us either, but for older preschoolers and those who give up naps early, it might be a good option. Good to have choices :-) I know, I don’t think the time will work for us either, but for older preschoolers and those who give up naps early, it might be a good option. Good to have choices :-)

]]> By: Jen http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/2010/03/08/free-strong-start-program-for-preschoolers-expands-to-west-end/comment-page-1/#comment-2219 Jen Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:24:03 +0000 http://www.tenthtothefraser.ca/?p=2550#comment-2219 Ooh that time sucks for us but that's great news! Although really, for those who still nap, is that time good for anyone? Ooh that time sucks for us but that's great news! Although really, for those who still nap, is that time good for anyone?

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