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INUVIK - The KinderStart program aims to help ease children into the transition between home and school.

Once a month, for an hour, parents and their children come to the school to meet the kindergarten teachers and take a tour of the building.

Teachers Sandra Ipana and Jane Dale of the KinderStart program sit with some prospective students earlier this week at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Parent Jennifer Cockney said it has been working wonders for her son Fitzgerald Stuart, age 4.

She said she first heard of the program through a newsletter brought home by her other son who attends the school.

To further help her son adjust to being in school, Cockney said she also has him enrolled in the Aboriginal Head Start program.

"He goes there in the afternoons," she said.

Cockney said she wants her son to feel comfortable when he starts his classes with the other future students.

"His big brother comes here and I want him to look forward to coming to school with him," she said.

Cockney said she and her son have been attending the monthly sessions with the KinderStart program since it started last fall.

Every month, each participating child is given a book to bring home with them.

"They also give us ideas for crafts and things to do with our kids at home," said Cockney.

Cockney said her son is fitting in well with other kids his age and he's always eager for the sessions.

"He loves it. He's always ready to go to the big school," she said.

Along with the book, each child is given a backpack, complete with papers, crayons and other learning materials.

"They get their little kit when they first start," she said.

"He's looking forward to kindergarten. He can't wait. I think it's a totally positive experience for us."

Principal Janette Vlanich said she encourages parents to bring their child in for the hour-long session each month.

"It's not a lot of time and the children seem to respond well to the program," said Vlanich.

Vlanich said the program started in October 2008.

The program is funded by the Ladies' Auxiliary, which provides the backpack bundles for the participants.

"We're not funded by ECE (the NWT department of Education, Culture and Employment), or BDEC (Beaufort Delta Education Council), but they support the program. Hopefully one day we'll see funding from them," said Vlanich.