Many local residents who grew up in Milton have something in common that goes beyond the same hometown.
It was almost a rite of passage; at the tender ages of three or four, they ventured away from their parents for the first time to enjoy a morning full of educational activities, exploration, fun and socialization. Five decades later and the Milton Community Nursery School is still offering educational programming for local youngsters, carrying on the community tradition.
"Anybody born and raised in Milton in the '60s and '70s attended. There would be line-ups at the door to register," said classroom assistant and former student Julie Graci. "My teacher, Elsie Manford, lived down the street. Her husband had a big van; he would pick us all up and deliver us to the school. I can remember coming to play with the cardboard blocks covered with paper that looked like bricks."
Graci is among thousands of others who've walked through the doors of the nursery school, which is celebrating 50 years in the community. The school first opened in Campbellville in 1964, moving to St. Paul's United Church in downtown Milton the following year.
In 2012 the school settled into its new home on Steeles Avenue, where students are learning early life lessons under the tutelage of Graci, classroom teacher Joanne Jamieson and supervising teacher Jane Miller, who also attended the school when she was a child.
"All I can remember is wearing a yellow apron and washing dishes in the dramatic activity centre," she said. "Now when I see kids doing that, it really brings back memories."
The non-profit, co-operative school is unique in that it's run by parents of children who attend. These parents participate in the classroom and sit on the school's board of directors, which makes all major decisions.
"We rely heavily on parent involvement," noted Miller.
A typical morning at the nursery school starts with the children enjoying free play time. After tidying up their toys it's circle time, where the Jolly Phonics method of teaching literacy is used throughout discussions about the days, months, weather and weekly theme. Up next is free activity time, when students can do crafts, have a snack, explore the sensory table and play with toys. The morning wraps up with music and a story.
"We're helping develop their social skills and independence to prepare them for the elementary school system," said Miller, noting this is achieved through things like interactions with peers, learning to sit at circle time, etc.
Parent Tammy Szafer is thrilled with the independent skills her four-year-old son, Dougie, is developing at the school as he gears up for junior kindergarten in the fall.
"They have a bathroom on site that's at the child's level, so he's learning things like how to wash his own hands, which is a really great skill to have," she said. "I feel like he'll have confidence that he can go and do that on his own."
She added he's also learning to have respect for and listen to teachers.
The school's long history in Milton won't soon be forgotten as much of its alumni send their own children to the program.
"There's always that connection that's running through everyone who attends here; it comes back to the small-town roots of Milton," said Graci. "The town can be as big as it wants, but we're still here with our grassroots."
The Milton Community Nursery School is located at 50 Steeles Ave. E., Unit 19. The school is accepting registrations for the 2015/16 program. For more information call (905) 878-7007 or visit www.miltoncommunitynurseryschool.ca.
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