Weyburn Co-Operative Playschool held an Open House event last night, during which a special presentation was made from Baker Hughes. The oilfield technology company donated $1,000 to the organization, and a ribbon-cutting for the purchases that were made with the funds was a feature part of the presentation.

“They let us choose what we wanted to purchase with that. We were trying to think along technology or things that would enhance our learning experience here at the playschool,” said teacher Jacqui Spence.

She said they determined an iPad was a good idea to give them access to more information at their fingertips in the classroom.

“Just to provide a little bit more technology into our classroom, to bring us into the 21st century,” said Spence.

She said they also were able to purchase a dark den, which will provide another sensory experience for the classroom.

The dark den offers a safe space or cool-down spot for children who can become easily overwhelmed by sensory stimuli. It offers a quieter, darker, enclosed space for the child to relax and have time to calm/regulate their sensory system.

“Sensory education is so important at this age level, for brain development and just their neuro experiences within the classroom,” she explained, noting that they were also able to purchase crystal blocks to go with their light table.

“We’ve had the light table for a while, but we’ve never had a real dark place so we’ll be able to use that as well in the dark den,” she said.

Board president Jennifer Cugnet said their playschool strives for kindergarten preparedness.

“We are different from Day Care, we are different from other playschool programs because we put an emphasis on education,” Cugnet explained during the presentation. “At a playschool level, education means a variety of things. One of the important things that Mrs Spence emphasizes is readiness for kindergarten. One of the main focuses at our playschool program is getting math and literacy readiness for kindergarten.”

David Morley, District Technical Lead with Baker Hughes Weyburn said education is a high priority for the technology company, which employs a number of people who hold higher degrees of education.

“The company does understand the importance of education, and how that effects their future employees down the road,” said Morley.

He said a number of the employees at the Weyburn division of the company have had children who attended the playschool.

“We like donating to things for kids,” he said. “So it was kind of an easy fit when they asked if there was something we could do for them, so it worked out well.”

Teacher Jacqui Spence cut the ribbon for the new dark den at Weyburn Co-Operative Playschool last night (photo by Marna McManus).

An iPad and crystal blocks for the light table were also purchased with the donation from Baker Hughes (photo by Marna McManus).

Families brought their children to visit Santa and experience the facility at last night's Open House event at Weyburn Co-operative Playschool (photo by Marna McManus).