NEXT level for Strathmore Kids

Times Reporter  

 

At times there can be a bit of stigma with kids about being classed as being in daycare once they get a bit older. NEXT, a division of Strathmore Kids caters to older kids and only for before and after school care. 

“We were finding that kids once they get to that Grade 3 level, they don’t want to be in daycare anymore, but the problem is we have parents that commute so for those three hours after school they don’t have anywhere to go so my mom wanted to create an environment where they do want to still come,” said Courtney Beekman, with the NEXT program. 

After Grade 3 Beekman said you can begin to see a big drop off in daycares that go up to 12 years, with most stopping around ages 9-10.

“It’s a stigma. So when Paula (Beekman) and I sort of dreamt up the big vision about how to do this, (we noticed) there is a drop off and there is a stigma with kids,” said Monica Soltys, Executive Director for NEXT.

NEXT kind of takes the daycare out of it, said Soltys, that’s what the program plan was all about, expand, explore, and excel with NEXT. 

“This was an area that they could expand their ideas about the world, expand their view and expand their creativity and explore new ideas, explore individuality and explore things about bullying … and then excel because we do great things here,” said Soltys.

Each section of the NEXT room is set up to inspire the minds of the kids that are involved. The kids often participate in group projects, and at the time of the interview were working on Viva Rock Vegas. There is also a media room, a library with a chill space and a couple of computers and plans to create an abstract world map on the wall in chalk paint. In the main area there are games set up, air hockey, pool and more. There’s also a marble wall. The kids can build on the wall and make their own marble drop. At the tool centre, they will make things out of the parts from old toasters and other appliances and make key chains, robots or other gadgets. There is also an Xbox, and the kids can play active games for 15-minute intervals. There’s an ever-changing section that’s currently a photo booth, there’s a cosmetology station, games in the kitchen and much more. 

The NEXT program accepts up to 42 kids. To find out more call NEXT at 403-983-9433, or email strathmorenext@gmail.com.