Sunbeam Preschool isn鈥檛 the kind of place you visit for a year or two and then forget about. Take current director Kristin Pue for example 鈥 she went to the preschool herself when she was three and four years old, and the director in those years remained a family friend. A few decades later, when that long-time director was ready to retire, she encouraged Pue to apply.
鈥淓very year we have at least a handful of families who went to preschool here decades ago, and are now bringing their own children,鈥 Pue says. 鈥淥ur goal has always been to provide a safe and caring environment for children while they鈥檙e away from their parents, so to get that support from past parents and children is wonderful.鈥
Since Pue became director eight years ago has seen significant growth in both attendance and services. In addition to a two-and-a-half hour pre-school for three and four year olds, the centre now offers full day childcare for children aged 30 months to five years. Pue says their programs regularly attract families from Abbotsford and Surrey as well as 91原创, and there鈥檚 almost always a waiting list for preschool. Which is one of the reasons they鈥檙e planning a three-phase expansion of Sunbeam鈥檚 facilities.
Phase One has already begun: a large, interactive outdoor learning centre three times the size of the current playground.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot more nature based than the typical equipment-focused playground, and includes covered areas so we can be outside in all sorts of weather,鈥 Pue says. 鈥淐hildren thrive outside 鈥 it鈥檚 where their imagination grows, and of course COVID-19 made the outdoors even more essential.鈥
The new space includes a trike path for bikes and other gross motor activities, a hill with a built-in slide and climbing wall, a sitting area for teaching and snack time, a vegetable garden and an open grass area to kick a ball around or play other games.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a space they can make their own, with opportunities to explore safe risk.鈥
Later this fall Sunbeam hopes to continue with Phases Two and Three 鈥 a classroom expansion, plus parking and storage. Pue says she gets calls at least once a week asking for infant and toddler care, and she hopes the expansion will allow them to offer services to children younger than 30 months.
鈥淚鈥檓 a working parent too, so I know how big the need is. Being able to take a child from 18 months through to kindergarten, that鈥檚 exciting to me 鈥 to give them that safe place to grow.鈥
Sunbeam needs your help to fund the three phases of the project. Learn more and make a donation at .