Parents determined to secure their children a spot at an alternative kindergarten program in James Bay have been camped out for days to wait in line for Monday’s enrolment.
“I got here just after 3 p.m. on Friday,” said Ashley Hubbard. She was first in line for one of 20 spots in South Park Family School’s nature kindergarten, which allows students to spend part of each school day learning and exploring outdoors.
By Saturday afternoon, seven tents, a lean-to and a camper van were set up at the school. Kids played while parents warmed up in a communal tent with thermal coffee mugs and watched the football playoffs. A barbecue was getting fired up and plans were being made to show The Lego Movie.
“It’s actually been really fun. We’re going to get a babysitter so we can both be here tonight and hang out,” said Hubbard, who lives in Vic West with her husband and two sons, ages two and four.
This is the second year for the South Park nature kindergarten, which has no catchment restrictions. It drew a similar line last year.
Two of the class’s 20 spots are prioritized for aboriginal students and seven names will be added to a wait-list. Nearby James Bay Community School and Sangster Elementary in Colwood have similar programs.
Hubbard said she wanted her son to be in a kindergarten program that addressed his physical and intellectual needs. She said she also likes the combination of outdoor and indoor time at the South Park program.
“I did a lot of research and knew I wanted to put him in an alternative program,” she said. “He’s a very active little guy and I didn’t want him to get labelled in a regular classroom.”
Hubbard wasn’t alone in thinking the effort was worth it.
Cinthia Esquivel, who lives near the school, began watching for a lineup on Thursday. When she saw Hubbard set up, she quickly went over to secure her own spot. She said her daughter, Yaretzi Scott, was having a blast meeting the other children.
“She has new best friends already,” said Esquivel, whose daughter is also on the wait-list for the school’s regular kindergarten program.
Camilla Gregersen also set up her tent Friday night and said despite some rain and cold, she and her daughter, Jadyn, were having fun.
“It’s actually her first time camping,” she said.
