Submitted by:
Janine Stewart |
Swan River will soon have a new option for licensed school age child care services.
Photo by Caitlin Stewart
Heyes Child Care Centre Board of Directors: Kim Kuruliak, Crystal Ross, Robyn Eisner, Janine Stewart, Michelle Eisner (click for a larger version)
Heyes Child Care Centre hopes to open its doors in April or May of this year and will offer child care services before and after school, as well as full-day care during school holidays and in-service days.
A joint meeting held last spring, brought together representatives from the provincial government (departments of Education and Family Services), the Swan Valley School Division (board and staff) and the Heyes Parent Council, in hopes that they could collaborate efforts toward opening a child care centre located in Heyes School. As a result, a Board of Directors for the Centre formed in October 2011 and has been working diligently toward this goal ever since.
The Board of Directors is composed of five community members who, as parents of young children, are well aware of the need for additional licensed school age child care services in Swan River. Since forming, the Board has applied for, and received, a grant from the Community Foundation of Swan Valley, applied for a licence for the Centre, completed and submitted all the necessary paperwork in order to meet licensing requirements for the Centre, and met again with representatives from the school division and the provincial government to solidify plans for renovations to the room where the Centre will be located.
The Board is now focusing its efforts on fundraising and purchasing as there is a huge list of equipment needed for the Centre. A wide variety of equipment and supplies are required to encourage skill development in the children. These items include such things as puzzles, games, reading material, craft supplies, sports equipment, and instruments. Donations of new or gently used items of this type would be appreciated. Administrative equipment such as a desk, chair, laptop, printer and filing cabinet, are also needed to run the Centre. Other items needed include a fridge, microwave, cd player, tables, chairs and shelving. Of course, monetary donations are always welcome. The Centre has applied for registration as a charitable organization. As soon as a charitable organization number is received, the Centre will be able to issue tax receipts for all monetary donations. This should be in the next couple weeks.
The first major fundraiser for Heyes Child Care Centre is a 50/50 Draw. Draw date will be May 4th. Tickets are available from any board member. For more information about the draw, the Centre, donating to the Centre, or enrolling your child at the Centre, contact Janine Stewart at 734-9105.