First Day of School at BECEP | Video

Kristin Clouston | 9/4/2012

Bismarck Public Schools have record enrollment numbers this year, and preschools are also full. Today was the first day of early childhood classes, and BECEP at Richholt has 360 little ones registered.

Early childhood education professionals say children aren`t the only ones who get excited about the first day of school.

"I think it`s just seeing these little kiddos come up carrying these bags that are almost as big as they are and seeing their smiling faces and just how enthusiastic most of them are about coming to school," said parent involvement coordinator Mary MacArthur.

Moms and dads are on hand to help the kids transition into either preschool, Head Start, early childhood special education and Right Track and it`s a big adjustment for everyone.

"Probably parents might be a little more nervous than the kids. So we did invite the parents to come in for a cup of coffee if they felt like they needed to stick around," MacArthur said.

MacArthur says a major part of the programs success comes from making parents a big part of their children education.

"We also invite them to volunteer. Either serving on the board or helping in the classroom or with special projects and we also want to work with them to provide consistency between what they learn here and what they`re learning at home."

All hands were on deck to make sure everyone arrived and made it home safely.

Head Start classes are full, but spots do open up sometimes, so families are still encouraged to apply.

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