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Nursery school teacher makes classroom fun for youngsters By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF As the summer winds to a close, many children are bemoaning the return to school. However, at Hopedale Community Nursery School, a non-profit, parent-run, pre-school, children almost can't wait to get back into the classroom. "Mrs. Price is just so friendly, Lucas just loves going to school. All summer long, I'll say, `Lucas, what do you want to do today?' He's like, `I want to go see Mrs. Price.' I say, `You can't, sorry, it's the summer," recalled Erin Nocent, a parent and firsttime president of the co-op nursery this year. The school is celebrating its 40th year of operation. Each year, the program is run by a team of parents -- as the 2-5 year olds who attend the school move on to the public school system, parents go with them. There has been one constant that has remained and that is teacher Robin Price, who starts her 31st year at the nursery school this fall. Often in costume, never wearing white as she's often on the floor with the children in the play-based learning environment, Price loves her job and helps the children enjoy their pre-school experience. "It's my job to make sure everyone is happy, even the parents," Price said. The curriculum at the school is simple: learn through play. Their teacher changes up the themes in the classroom every two weeks and also makes theme-based snacks for the little ones. Nocent said the teacher creates the kind of snacks youngsters readily eat. "For Jack, it makes him like food," explained parent Meagan Heffernan, who is on the co-op board and in charge of fundraising. "Toddlers at home are just wild and crazy, but when they're here, they're using forks, not spilling anything. I don't know how she does it," Nocent added. Despite teaching at the school for three decades, Price said the ever-changing pupils and executive team have kept things fresh for her. This year, Price will be joined by a second teacher, Elena Pilipaitis. Price has some advice for parents whose children may be entering pre-school or school for the first time. "Get into some routines, separation times, and be really positive about the learning experience for the children," she said. "Be really upbeat and positive that this is their first experience in a school...Let them know they'll have friends and neat experiences." Nocent added that parents should prepare their child for their first day of school well in advance. "Start talking about it before September comes. Say: `We're going to start school soon, school is so fun, you'll have a teacher,'" she said. In celebration of the 40th anniversary, Hopedale Community Nursery School is hosting 9 · Friday, August 31, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com a barbecue on Saturday, Sept. 29. The school is looking for alumni to celebrate. More information about the barbecue and how to get involved is available at www. hopedalepreschool.org. There are a few spots available for the coming school year. A class size has a maximum of 10 children. Parents have an option of sending their children to Hopedale Nursery from two to five days per week, Monday to Friday. The morning programs are for children aged 2-4, while the afternoon program is for children aged three to five. An orientation day is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 8. This year, the pre-school is located at MARTA IWANEK / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog St. Aidan's Anglican Church, 318 Queen Mary Dr. BACK TO IT: Hopedale Community Nursery School is celeFor more information, call brating its 40th year. Here, teacher Robin Price, who is also celebrat905-847-1672. ing her 31st year with the school, plays with Lucas Nocent, 2. 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