Possibility of new childcare facility becoming reality

Emily Plihal
Express staff

Another meeting was held recently to determine whether or not a childcare facility will be feasible in the Smoky River Region.

Economic Development Officer Dave Kane and Smoky River FCSS director Penny Fox have been working hard to determine the feasibility of a new childcare facility in the region.

“It is obvious there is an interest to move forward creating daycare services in our region,” says Fox. “A small dedicated group has formed appropriately called Smoky River Childcare Society, to help sculpt what could be a childcare facility in our region.”

Kane says a small group was formed at the meeting to look into the various opportunities there are within the Smoky River Region for alternative childcare. They will also be questioning local schools and businesses to see if there is room to be rented for a daycare facility. He explains there was once a proposal from Fox to see if the old wing at the Sacred Heart Hospital could be used as a daycare, but no response was given.

“Our first step was to do the survey and hold a public meeting,” says Kane. “Now that we know there are enough children to warrant daycare services and we have a group of people interested in moving forward, we will start the next step of finding space.”

Fox explains the group worked together to draft a letter that will be sent to schools, municipalities, churches, community organizations, and the hospital to see if there is any available space in their buildings. She explains there are grants available from the government to prepare or renovate existing space to use as a daycare.

Since mid-year 2008, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Director Penny Fox and Smoky River Economic Development Office Dave Kane have been educating themselves on the feasibility of new child care facilities. Currently there are only two licensed child care facilities in the entire Smoky River Region.

Fox and Kane began to work on the project because families had been approaching them saying there was not enough child care programs in the area.

There were daycare facilities in both McLennan, Falher and Girouxville at one time, but all have been closed.

“The location will simply be dictated by response to these letters and by those organizations or facilities which have space they are willing to share,” says Kane.

Bernie Napier of Northwest Regional Board of Alliance of Early Learning Programs has approached schools about space availability in the region.

One recommendation of the ministry is to collaborate with Public and Catholic School Districts to establish child care programs in or adjacent to schools. This will allow the schools and childcare facility to work closely to provide optimal service to parents.

Another meeting for childcare feasibility will be set sometime in June to follow up on the response received from letters sent to local businesses.

The group is looking for other people to be on the board for the Smoky River Childcare Society, if you are interested please contact FCSS director Penny Fox at 780-837-2220.

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