A free educational program for babies and toddlers is potentially being cut in Surrey due to a $16-million shortfall in the school district, but not without a fight from parents.
Navtej Sidhu's three-year-old son Jarnail has benefited from the program, StrongStart, for more than a year now at Strawberry Hill Elementary, which has worked "wonders."
"It's been unbelievable for him," the father said.
"When he first went in there, he was really clingy, shy, he wouldn't let go of me, wouldn't get off my lap. Then slowly, he started going for an hour here and an hour there, and now, he runs to the school and runs to classmates."
StrongStart, a program for pre-kindergarten-age children, is at risk for closure once again. The free, drop-in service runs at several schools in Surrey for families to bring their children to learn, play and get a feel for being in a school environment before officially starting.
Typically, StrongStart sees families of lower socioeconomic status and immigrant or newcomer ones where English is often not the primary language of the household.
For Sidhu's only child, being in the program around other children was also essential.
"If he skipped that and then went straight into kindergarten, you have some kids who are ready to learn and some that just aren't, and the teacher has to focus so much on the ones that aren't," he added.
Available throughout B.C., StrongStart in Surrey has been on shaky ground for the past year. With what the school district has described as a lack in funding, the program was first at risk last year but was eventually saved, just at a reduced rate.
Last year the program shifted to being at 23 schools instead of 25 and at most sites, families are only able to visit twice a week instead of five. However, the district did warn that plan could be temporary. And temporary it seems to be, as the program is back on the chopping block as the district looks to cut $16 million worth of services and programs.
Sidhu, a nurse, and his wife, an accountant, have well-paying jobs, he says, and so transitioning their son into preschool is an easier financial burden for them than most other families.
"A lot of these families can't afford that, though, if StrongStart gets cut. ...They're worried about necessities like housing and groceries and then you add on child care," Sidhu said.
"We need a permanent solution because every year, we're at jeopardy financially."
While his family will be OK, Sidhu advocates for the program strongly and says he wants to see it remain for other families who rely on it.
The father has also sent letters to the Education Ministry and about 16 MLAs he said, but only received a response from Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko. He also said he sent a letter to Surrey Schools superintendent Mark Pearmain but received no response.
Sidhu adds that StrongStart is crucial for children from newcomer or immigrant families as it is often the way for them to learn English. Without the free program, he suspects many will be at a deficit when entering into kindergarten, which isn't the best for classrooms.
"If they're already talking about getting rid of it, there's a good chance it'll go."
