Cowichan Preschool has been awarded the Legacy Award for outstanding contribution to the field of Early Childhood Education.
The preschool was founded in 1977 by a group of parents who put their vision into action by creating a co-operative preschool in the Cowichan Valley and continues to operate more than 42 years later in a one room school house that was moved to its current location in McAdam Park.
The original philosophy that continues on today is facilitating the growth of the whole child through play-based experiences, by exploration, teacher-led opportunities in math, science, language, literature, music and movement and artistic self-expression.
Hundreds of children from around the Cowichan Valley began their school journey playing and exploring in the beautiful natural setting of McAdam Park.
From the first supervisor, Shirley Berg, followed by Jane Verbruggen, Annette MacGregor, Trish Pontious, plus many parents and assistants, a group of dedicated adults has implemented a program that has enriched many children’s lives. The teachers at the school shared their love of learning with the children, as the current team Laura de Leeuw and Lia McLeod will continue to do in the future.