Golden Ears Preschool has been providing quality children’s care for more than 28 years.
Part of downtown Maple Ridge since 1988, the non-profit Golden Ears Preschool Association runs the school out of the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre.
Last year there was a worry in the community that the association would not be able to sign a lease with the City of Maple Ridge and that it might be forced to change locations or even close. But with a new lease in hand, the school will continue to serve the community for many years to come.
“We are all-parent run. We offer a full service preschool operating both a three-day and a two-day program with options of morning or afternoon classes,” said Blake Whitelaw, one of the directors of the association. “Because we are non-profit, we can direct all the tuition fees we get to ensure we maintain a quality program. We are located within the community core, and we are the only full service preschool in the downtown core.”
The programs offered are designed for children ages three to four. These programs explore a variety of areas, including art, music and movement, science and nature, language and literature, drama, cooking and indoor and outdoor activities.
“Our registration is lower than normal and we think it has been impacted by the news of us having trouble securing a lease,” he added. “We have now secured a new lease and we will be open in September. We want to welcome any past students to come back and new students and parents to come and see the programs that we have to offer.”
On May 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ,the school will be hosting an open house, at which people can see the facility, meet the teachers and learn more about the programs offered.
The open house is a celebration of the preschool’s 28th anniversary and recognition of May’s Child Care.
“We have a great relationship with the other children and family organizations in our community and work with them to support children and their families, as well as providing practicum placements for student teachers. We have been a part of the community for 28 years,” added Whitelaw. “We support our community in many ways and that’s important to us.”
• Golden Ears Preschool is located at 11925 Haney Place, Maple Ridge. Call 604-463-4652 or visit: http://goldenearspreschool.ca.