Franc départ (Strong start)

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The program “Franc départ” is an initiative of the B.C. Ministry of Education, implemented by the Conseil scolaire francophone. Its mission is to provide a variety of free activities at schools, in French, for Francophone children* aged 0 to 5 accompanied by an adult (either a parent or another person responsible for the child).

We would like to thank the government of British Columbia and the Ministry of Education in particular for its financial contribution.

Find out the brochure of the program !

Activities examples :
Organized activity: Activities planned by the educator that promote social learning and involve the families.
Circle: Children and adults gather to sing, dance, tell and listen to stories and take part in games.
Free play time: Parents and children have an opportunity to discover a wide range of educational toys together.

A learning environment where:

  • The parent is recognized as their child’s first educator.
  • French is used in a living, stimulating Francophone environment that fosters the child’s language acquisition.
  • Play is central: the child and adult learn about each other while exploring together. The transition to kindergarten is facilitated through activities that introduce the ideas of reading and writing.
  • Each family is unique and helps enrich the program, providing an opportunity to develop a social network and break down isolation.
  • Parents and children can familiarize themselves with the school environment, get to know school staff, and learn about services offered in French in the community.

The program is currently running at ten of our schools:

  • L’école Anne-Hébert à Vancouver
    7051, Killarney Street
    Tel: 604-437-4849
    Eah-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Contact the school for more information
  • L’école du Bois-joli à Delta
    785, 49th Street
    Tel: 604-948-7007
    ebj-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Monday and Friday from 09:15 to 12:15 p.m.
    Tuesday from 12:45 a.m. to 14:45 p.m.
  • L’école des Grands-cèdres à Port Alberni
    5100 Tebo Avenue
    Tel: 250-723-5614
    egc-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Contact the school for more info.
  • L’école des Voyageurs à Langley
    8736, 216th Street
    Tel: 604-881-0222
    voy-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 12:15 p.m. to 14:15 p.m.
  • L’école Entre-lacs de Penticton
    1213, Debeck Street
    Tel: 250-770-7691
    eel-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Wednesday from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
  • L’école La Grande-ourse à Smithers
    3490 Fulton Avenue
    Tel: 778-648-2144
    lgo-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Contact the school for more info.
  • L’école Mer-et-montagne de Campbell River
    1102, South Alder Street
    Tel: 250-923-3359
    emm-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Mondays and Fridays, 8:45 to 11:45 a.m.
  • L’école des Pionniers-de-Maillardville à Port-Coquitlam
    1618 Patricia Avenue
    Tel: 604-552-7915
    pio-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
  • L’école des Sentiers-alpins de Nelson
    2780, Highway 3A
    Tel: 250-770-7691
    eel-francdepart@csf.bc.ca
    Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • L’école des Sept-sommets à Rossland
    2160 St-Paul
    Tel: 250-362-3395
    ecole_sept_sommets@csf.bc.ca
    Franc Départ d’ÉSS will be closed until June 2021

You must register in person with the educators.

*Children from a family with at least one Francophone parent.