False Creek Community Centre

took my kids to the False creek community centre to bounce on the bouncy castle they setup in their gym. It was only $ 1 to get access to the gym for the kids, and it is everything they need to keep themselves entertained and burn off some energy. Unfortunately they don’t monitor their own rules, so my 1 year old got into a mix up with some mom’s coffee that she abandoned on a ledge in the gym. Despite the no food and drink rule, this lady left a coffee (thankfully not too hot) about 1 foot off the ground and walked off. It takes a toddler about 2 seconds to grab it and dump it all over herself the ground and the lady who left the coffee’s shoes… We were able to change the toddler and she was not burned by the coffee, but come on man, if you have rules you should enforce them or at least have a monitor in the room, especially in instances like this where a child could be burned.

I love this community centre. What I don’t love is it’s preschool. Not really a preschool, as the kids aren’t really learning anything. Sure, they sing a bit, but they are not taught how to behave with each other, nor are they taught anything that would actually get them ready for kindergarten. I think they should call themselves what they are: a daycare. The centre is run by two very lovely older ladies who seem completely clueless about any of the early childhood research that has come out in the last 15 years. They are friendly and kind, but are not preparing these kids to succeed in school. We switched from another preschool due to a move, and were sorely disappointed. Before the move, our child knew his letters, how to spell his name, and was learning to use scissors. His old teachers helped him and his other classmates deal with their frustrations and hurt feelings, really preparing them for the big world of school to come. At False Creek, he simply played all day, did some arts and crafts, and got punched a couple times by other kids with no recourse except wringing of hands and a stern look by the teachers. Pick ups and drop offs are chaotic, no signing in or out, so anyone with any sort of custody issues could have old you-​know-​who picking up the kids without anyone noticing.
I am usually a pretty forgiving person, and I know how hard it can be to look after kids all day. I have never written about any business on Unilocal,so I am feeling really bad for doing this. But if I am paying preschool prices, I want a preschool experience. Otherwise, I would’ve just tossed him into a cheaper daycare and called it a day. Just want to warn other parents who may be thinking that you are preparing your child to excel at school… pick another preschool.

Well, I paddle out of here (FCRCC), so I don’t have a terrible amount to do with the actual community centre. That being said, I’m down there minimum once a week. Change room is totally fine, steam room is great. The only down side really is the front desk staff. They definitely don’t go out of their way to help you… they’re just kind of… eh.
It’s cute when all of the little kids go to preschool and play around though, and then the staff seems to be a bit warmer!