Lynn Valley Parent Participation Preschool (LVPPP) is a preschool for 3 and 4 year olds in which parents, children and teachers all contribute to a creative learning environment. The school is non-profit, founded and maintained by parents who want to provide a quality educational experience for their children. LVPPP offers a nurturing, creative environment for your child to develop social skills, explore his/her environment, express creativity and build confidence and self-esteem. Parents have the opportunity to participate in their children's preschool experience by acting as classroom assistants on their duty days. Parents also meet monthly to discuss and make decisions relating to the management of the school. A child's curiosity, imagination and attitude to problem solving are created in the first five years of life. During this period, parents have the major responsibility for this development. Parent participation groups can help with this important responsibility by offering the support parents often need to do their job more effectively. LVPPP offers a transition from home into a school setting where children feel comfortable knowing that their parents are an integral part of the school instead of just "visitors." A parent's duty days are very special; each child looks forward to sharing his/her world of school with their parent or caregiver. Play-Based Curriculum LVPPP's program is designed to develop a child's self-esteem and sense of creativity by offering a balance of structured and non-structured play. Changing themes and projects in the school's play areas -- art centre, science, fine motor skills, dramatic play, library, music, large muscle equipment and woodworking area allow children to make their own choice of activities. Art projects exemplify the LVPPP approach: each project is unique and challenging, stressing the enjoyment of the creative process, not the end result. High adult/child ratios Minimum ratios of one adult to four children for three year-olds and one adult to five children for four year-olds give children extra attention and supervision. Maximum class size is 16 children in the 3s class and 20 children in the 4s class. Class times Our 3s class meets Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:15 to 11:15 am. A child must be three by December 31st of the year enrolled. Our 4s class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9:15 to 11:30 am. School is in session from the week after public schools begin in September until mid-June. Nutrion Policy The snack eaten at school is provided by the parents, but the preschool not only provides healthy suggestions but has also introduced a litter-less lunch goal. This goal not only tries to cut down on the amount of garbage that is created during snack, but also naturally deters prepackaged, process foods. The school has been both nut- and egg-free in the past and makes this determination year by year based on the food sensitivities of the current enrollment. Financial assistance Government day care subsidies can be used to help families pay preschool fees. In addition, LVPPP has its own scholarship fund for families requiring financial assistance to attend the school.