Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 05/05) - The Little Preschool in Rankin Inlet has come home to Maani Ulujuk high school (MUI).

The preschool has been forced to move numerous times, taking it from the Yacht Club to MUI, then on to Leo Ussak elementary before returning to the John Ayaruaq Library at MUI this year.

The program, run through the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre, has three staff members in early childhood manager Brenda Skinner, preschool instructor Donna Anawak and preschool assistant Andrea Pilgrim.

Skinner is hopeful the library will be home to the preschool for years to come.

"We knew coming back here that it's on an as-space-permits basis," says Skinner.

"There's just not much space available in Rankin and that's frustrating because so much time is wasted with the constant moving."

The structured program prepares four-year-olds for their transition to school the following year.

The Little Preschool is licensed to accommodate 13 children in both its morning and afternoon sessions.

Skinner says children in the program learn about the weather, the days of the week and the months of the year.

They also learn the different colours and shapes, as well as the proper way to hold a pencil and use scissors.

"That may not sound like a big deal to an adult, but it is to a four-year-old child.

"The importance of preschool is well documented in the areas of children learning how to take direction from their teachers, interacting with each other and developing social skills.

"For a number of kids, preschool is their first time away from their parents and that can be a difficult transition for some."

Skinner says kindergarten teachers can almost always tell which kids attended preschool or a structured day-care program before beginning their school years.

She says the Little Preschool is popular in the community, with a number of children on its waiting list.

"We'll have a second semester so everyone has a chance to attend.

"Some kids may be able to come all year, but that depends on demand and the space we have available.

"Sometimes we have to make room to accommodate all the requests."