BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH bright smiles plastered on their faces and looking all grown up, 12 toddlers ended their first school chapter lives with a graduation ceremony.
Smartly dressed in their orange gowns and fitted with matching caps, the 12 graduates stood fearlessly before their parents and guardians, well wishers and teachers and recited poems, bible passages and sang songs.
The graduates were: Malachi Thompson, Jaheem Osbourne, Kemory James, Christopher France, Zymani Archibald, Dejaune Mills, Jeshaun Martin, Ajani McFarlene, Grace Davies, Cleavonjah Chumney, Mikayla Prince and Aiden Richards.
Speaking at the ceremony, which was held at Cloud 9 on Porte Zante, Principal of the Nursery Sylvia Duporte who, in bidding the children well in their future endeavours, congratulated them on the milestone they have reached.
She gave details of the fundraisers held by the Nursery and the outcome of each.
Duporte went on to express: "As I reflect on graduations past, each year, each ceremony has had its own precious memories which I treasure highly. These memories combine to create a point of reference from which I can assess our growth and ensure that we are achieving our interested goals. The priority at Kuddles is to ensure that children are nurtured in a loving, learning environment.
"My time of annual reflection helps me to move forward confidently as I identify the achievements and restructure where necessary to avoid short falls".
The Principal urged the parents to build on the foundation that had been laid "and continue to show them love, encourage church life, insist that they participate in school activities, teach them to be confident, encourage them to express themselves, teach them to be respectful to their elders".
She also told the parents that continuing the trend would distinguish them as bright stars in the future, noting that "as they explore and navigate their way through life, I wish our children well for they are mine too".
She thanked the parents for giving her the opportunity to make a "positive difference" in the lives of their children.
Also speaking at the ceremony was a Guidance Counsellor, Donna Peets. She spoke at length about the repercussions of child abuse, including sexual abuse.
She warned the parents that paedophiles are not only targeting girls but boys as well, noting that that type of abuse against young boys are becoming prevalent.
Peets noted that parents need to monitor their children carefully so as to be able to recognise any changes in their behaviour.
She also warned them not to be too eager to leave their children with just anyone, which includes family members as well. She said just because they are family does not mean they would not harm the children.
She spoke highly of Kuddles Nursery, stating that the teachers and Principal had been doing a wonderful job in educating the children and noted that they [children] were not only well cared for but also advanced in their knowledge.
She congratulated the toddlers as well as the teachers, caregivers, parents and the Principal for a job well done. She wished the graduates well in their future endeavours.
The parents of some of the graduates also spoke highly of the Nursery as they each went on stage and gave details of their child's journey at the school and said that their child had gained a vast amount of knowledge while there.
They each thanked the teachers at the school for the "amazing" job they have been doing and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
Some of the parents were presented certificates for their dedication to the school and for their participation and cooperation in their children's activities while attending the Nursery.
Each graduate also presented their parents with a small token of appreciation.
Kuddles Nursery, located at Ivy Battice Street, has been in operation for 17 years and caters to children from three months to three years.
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