Prince Rupert's third StrongStart BC program has officially opened at Charles Hays Secondary to better support families in the region announced Minister of Education George Abbott.

"Through investment in education during these crucial early years, B.C.'s children will enjoy lifelong benefits," said Abbott. "Last year nearly half a million children visited StrongStart BC centres across the province - this program has proven to be a huge success."

Government is committed to StrongStart BC and plans to continue expanding the program across the province where there is need to better support children and their families. StrongStart BC centres help fulfill government's commitment to use underutilized school district space to deliver early learning services.

All of B.C.'s 60 school districts have been offered the opportunity to participate in the StrongStart BC program. StrongStart BC is a free early learning program for preschool-aged children accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

A qualified early childhood educator leads activities, including stories, music, and arts, to help children grow linguistically, emotionally and socially, and become comfortable in a school-like setting.

"We chose this location because the Charles Hays Secondary school's neighbourhood did not have an early learning program for children under the age of five," said Prince Rupert board of education chair Tina Last.

"Also, we believe that this location has the potential to better support our districts specialized program for young mothers in the area."

The Prince Rupert school district is receiving $30,000 for the StrongStart BC program at Charles Hays Secondary school to fund this year's operating costs, including staff, professional development, supplies and healthy snacks.

Since 2001, the Province has invested $1.4 billion in literacy and literacy-related projects and programs, such as StrongStart BC early learning programs, almost $18 million to operate the kindergarten-readiness program Ready, Set, Learn and $2.7 million for the LEAP BC resources that encourage literacy, physical activity and healthy eating in preschool-aged children.

Government has committed $280 million over three years to implement full-day kindergarten for all five-year-olds in B.C. Full-day kindergarten was introduced for 50 per cent of kindergarten students in September 2010 and will be available for every five-year-old starting school in 2011.