The Neighbourhood Learning Centre at Ridgeway is a great example of collaboration between the North Vancouver School District, North Shore Neighbourhood House (NSNH) and the North Shore Multicultural Society (NSMS).  This partnership is enabling us to progress towards fulfilling our mandate to create a true ‘neighbourhood of learning’ at Ridgeway. 

The ELSA program (English Language Services  for Adults) funded by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation approved child care on the North Shore this year.  NSMS and MOSAIC deliver the ELSA program in partnership at the NSMS location. 

With approval of funding for 8 child care spaces we sub-contracted with North Shore Neighbourhood House pre-school that operates at Ridgeway School, to dedicate 8 spaces for the children of ELSA students.  North Shore Multicultural Society offers settlement support and translations when needed.  MOSAIC manages the contract with NSNH. Clients register for ELSA and are tested at the ELSA testing centre, who then refers them to the North Shore ELSA program. Children remain in the program only as long as their parents remain in English classes.

Through this partnership arrangement, we hope to introduce newcomers to a community based pre-school and to have them become familiar with a school setting. 

In collaboration with our partners, we are making tremendous progress in developing our Neighbourhood Learning Centre!  Many thanks to our partners!