Ksi Xy’ans Daycare Head Start
Ksi Xy’ans Daycare Head Start provides Nisga’a yuuhlimk’askw (guidance received through counsel, lectures, and storytelling) for children, parents, families, and our community through quality childcare, unconditional love, spirituality, and education, all informed by the principle of sayt-k’ilim goot (one heart, one path, one nation).
Through its early childhood education and adult programming, Ksi Xy’ans DCHS enhances the lives of children, parents, families, and the community by providing a caring, flexible, inclusive, diverse, and vital community service.
Philosophy
We believe it takes a community to raise a child and we commit to the teachings of the Ayuuk (Nisga’a law), language, culture, values, the ganwilxo’oskw (wisdom) of our Elders, the saytk’ilhl wo’osim (the common bowl), and sayt-k’ilim goot (unity).
We believe in empowering our children, our families and ourselves through education, support, guidance, kwhilxoosa’anskw (respect), and understanding.
We recognize that the first six years are critical to the development of a child’s future socially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and cognitively.
We believe that children have the right to be unique individuals and are entitled to safe environments and opportunities that foster interdependence and dignity.
Programs
As an early learning center, we provide the following:
Core programs for children
Preschool
- Four- to five-year-olds: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
- Three-year-olds: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday
Daycare
- Birth to twelve years old: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, September – August
- Includes an afterschool option for elementary school students
Additional Programs for Children
Nisga’a Supported Child Development Program
Extra support for children with special needs, behaviour challenges, or facing unique circumstances (includes one-on-one sessions with staff)
Speech and Language Services
Speech and language pathology and audiology (hearing) screenings
Field Trips
For instance:
- Lava Lake
- Gitwinksihlkw Suspension Bridge
- Beach trips
- Annual trip to Terrace for hearing tests
Summer School
A six-week summer school
Reading Opportunities
Buddy reading with grade six and seven students
Programs for parents, caregivers, and families
Parent Classes and Programs
- Pre- and post-natal classes
- Parenting programs
Drop in Services
Moms, Pops & Tots weekly drop in
Welcome to Kindergarten
A half-day event that explores play-based learning for children about to enter kindergarten to attend with their parents, offered by School District #92
Ready, Set, Learn
A half-day event for three-year-olds to attend with their parents, offered by School District 92
History
Lax̱g̱alts’ap Village Government built the original Lax̱g̱alts’ap Nursery School in 1998-99 and launched an early childhood education program to meet the needs of children and working parents in our community.
The overwhelming numbers of children enrolled for both the preschool and daycare programs prompted the LVG to seek funding for an extension to the building. Construction was completed in 2008, designed by the same architect as the original building.
Through the years we have developed a unique program for daycare and preschool and continue to have many successes, including record numbers of participation and increased programming.
Collaboration
Much of our success rests on the agencies and individuals we work with. Our many partners contribute expertise, personalized support for children and families, and volunteer engagement.
Partners and Supporters
Accountability Framework
Ksi Xy’ans DCHS operates under the authority of the Programs and Services Directorate of the Nisga’a Lisims Government. Our facility is fully licensed, and our procedures and policies are governed by the Lax̱g̱alts’ap Village Government and Child Care Licensing Regulation. All our staff are trained and licensed as early childhood educators.
Our regulatory framework, policies, and procedures help us deliver our programming in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and accountable.
