GOOD MORNING, LITTLE SCHOOL GIRL'-First Neighborhood or Learning has a new preschool at University Elementary School. As students are welcomed for their first day of school on Tuesday, Eadan Dury, 4, watches her mom, Annee, center, hand over paperwork to preschool teacher Terry Ploennies, right. Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning has opened a new preschool and family center on the campus of University Elementary School, 2801 Atlas Ave., in Thousand Oaks near the campus of Cal Lutheran University.

As part of the Ventura County First 5 program, the facility tries to strengthen families and prepare kids for kindergarten. Research shows that early child care and education is a wise investment. The program provides preschool, parenting education, literacy programs, information and referrals, childbirth and breastfeeding education, and parent discussion groups.

Neighborhood for Learning, a joint venture of Conejo Valley Unified School District, Conejo Recreation & Park District, the city of Thousand Oaks and the Ventura County supervisor's office, also emphasizes healthy diets. It has a strict no sugar policy for snacks.

For more information about Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning, call (805) 496-9035.