Remove mixed aged rooms at MMLC

Recently we received an email outlining that all rooms at Magical Memories Learning Centre, with the exception of the infant room, will be mixed between ages 2-5. 

Currently blue and green room are designated for 2-4 year olds, pre-K is for 4-5 year olds and main room is a transition room between pre k and kindergarten.

The Pre-Kindergarten program will also be removed with this switch, which has been a great tool for helping children approaching kindergarten learn the social skills and pre-entry expectations of the school division. 

Mixing such a variety of ages will also prove very difficult for the ECEs working in each room. Planning age-appropriate activities, incorporating daily naps, selecting age-appropriate song, dance and books will prove more difficult. The younger children will no longer receive the structure they crave and the older children will no longer have undivided attention and challenging activities to improve their cognitive skills. 

Mixed rooms are used occasionally, but when one age group significantly out numbers another. Say in instance, if there are too many grade ones to meet ratio in two class rooms, but less grade two's, one mixed class room maybe be created to avoid having to create a fifth class room, saving money on space and staffing. This is not the case at Magical Memories. We have a well balanced number of children and mixing ages proves no benefit to the children staff of finances. 

I have reached out asking for an explanation or justification with no adequate response. Staff, parents nor the board was asked to weigh in on the decision, and no warning was given to mentally prepare the children for the shift in their daily routines. 

As a parent, with two children attending MMLC myself, I strongly oppose this decision to mix ages in all class rooms and call for a petition before the changes are implemented next week. If you agree, please sign my petition and I will present it to the board immediately. 

Amy Vinck    Contact the author of the petition