A large crowd of well wishers, supporters and dignitaries were on hand July 28 as the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre (CFEC) Child Care opened with speeches, a ribbon cutting, refreshments and tours of the facility.
On July 4, CFEC took occupancy of the building located at 429 Cedar Ave. and was told it could open the child-care facility.
In three short weeks, they cleaned, landscaped, painted, hired staff and ordered all the equipment necessary for the operation.
“The success of being able to celebrate our opening today and being ready for children on Aug. 2 is a demonstration of what can be achieved when a family and a community work together,” said CFEC executive director Lisa De Paoli.
As emcee of the opening ceremony, she introduced the speakers and thanked everyone who helped them in the successful completion of the facility.
“You have all made a lasting and positive difference to the children of 100 Mile House. This is how people are known by their face rather than an institution.”
After opening speeches from Mayor Mitch Campsall, CRD directors Art Dumaresq and Al Richmond, and Dorothy Hartshorne assistant to Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, De Paoli introduced Child Care and Resource Centre program manager Sheila Glen.
“Sheila deserves so many thank yous for her strong advocacy for early childhood development and for her dedication the past three-and-half weeks, to creating this facility and for getting our great child-care team together.”
Glen introduced the six staff members, including supervisor and infant toddler care giver Lynda Porter; three- to five-year-old early childhood educators Deb Penner and Corina Westerager; and infant toddler caregivers Deb Yelich, Jackie Funk, and Amanda Colville.
Glen also talked about the programs and explained the natural play-style of care offered at the facility.
The natural-play environment is based on research that found children have an increased social capacity and better mental-health outcomes when they spend an average of four hours per day outside, she said, adding the children also have increased physical development.
“It’s an open canvass for children where there is no pre-conceived plan. Play is spontaneous and imaginative, which ends up building their confidence, capacity and reasoning.”
Glen spoke about the Roots of Empathy program, during which children are taught emotional literacy, so they can articulate their feelings, which reduces violent behaviour.
“The program teaches students about feelings; their own and the feelings of others.”
Glen noted there is a newer version of the program called Seeds of Empathy, which is tailored to pre-school children. She added her job is to find the funding and arrange to have the program brought to 100 Mile House.
The Child Care building is bright, cheerful and designed with smaller people in mind. There are colourful posters on the walls, and small pockets of areas designed for group or individual play time.
There is a quiet room set up with six cribs for infants, and toddlers will have sleep mats. Child care will be able for 12 infants and toddlers at any given time, said Glen.
Both De Paoli and Glen say parent participation is encouraged, and note children do better with parent involvement.
“We are open, come and see us,” said De Paoli.
