Newspaper Article from Glenboro Gazette - February 2013 Wawanesa Wee Care Is Expanding!
The Wawanesa Wee Care child care facility is about to grow. The facility, which has been in operation since 2002, currently employs one director, two Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), and one Child Care Assistant (CCAs) full time, with two regular substitute caregivers. With the expansion, they will be increasing staff by up to five more ECEs, as well as at least one more CCA, a cook, a cleaner, and many more substitutes. They hope to increase from 16 preschool and 15 school-age spaces to 32 preschool and an additional eight infant spaces.
“Currently we see no need to change our hours in the new facility, but as programs grow they change, we want to be accessible to all we serve, so it may be something we change as the need arises,” says Director, Jenn Cullen. “We are interested in offering parenting programs, drop ins, as well as the possibility of using the new space to offer evening parenting programs, or family nights.”
The facility currently has a waiting list of about 40 children, and people who expect to require care in the next few years are encouraged to get their name on the waiting list for future spots.
“The infant spots will be very popular,” says Cullen, “since it's such a high need in our community right now.”
Fundraising efforts to support the expansion have been in the works for a few years now. The facility's portion of the mortgage could be as much as $400,000, so they will be undertaking many fundraising projects in the near future. Grants have been, and will continue to be, applied for, and Cullen is expecting to announce a few events this spring.
“The more we raise, the less our annual operating costs will be, so we will be very visible in the community in the next year, planning many major events. We have some great ideas, and we would also like to remind people that we are a non-profit, charitable organization, so any donations are met with a tax receipt.”
The community is at the core of these efforts.
“This community is amazing at working for what it needs. We have seen that in our efforts to fight the flood, to build an amazing water park, to update our aging recreation centre; Wawanesa is attracting a young and vibrant population, and the baby boom hasn't stopped for three years,” she says. “It says a lot about a community, a school, when you have young people who want to move back to their hometown with their young families, and can convince their friends from other towns to move here, too.”
In addition, there are a significant number of military families who have chosen to live in Wawanesa, or to send their children to school there. The facility also offers before- and after-school care for school-aged children.
“We could likely use an additional eight spaces now to fill with kindergarten kids who need care from 11:30 to 3:30 after kindergarten. We have a few rural parents that send their children to Wee Care from kindergarten and then we help them get on the bus at 3:30 to ride home.”
Cullen states that there is a need for more spaces to assist families in this situation.
Additionally, the lack of childcare resources can be a problem for the community as a whole.
“At least monthly I have families call that want to move to this area, and if there is no childcare space available, they will choose to move to Brandon or elsewhere. The new facility will help folks resell their homes, increase their property values and create jobs in our town.”
The case for quality, licensed child care availability is clear: if spaces are available, it allows young, working, tax-paying families to move in, if it is not, they may choose another community, one which better meets their family's requirements. At times, this message may be difficult to get across to those who do not use such services, but attracting young families is a proven way to ensure the long-term economic survival of small towns.
It's been five years since this project was first envisioned, and the New Building Committee, which oversees plans, has had their ups and downs.
“We've almost given up a time or two,” says Cullen. “But we have such amazing support from families who helped start this project, even though their children have grown old enough to no longer require care. They have stuck with us, they see the need for this facility in our community, and have worked so hard to make it a reality.”
Support for the expansion project has been forthcoming from many, both individuals and groups, including the Community Development Corporation, the Village Council, and the school division.
“We are so lucky to have a school division that sees the value of Early Childhood Education, and wants to help us promote that importance,” she says. “I am so looking forward to the new facility offering more for the staff as well. We have dedicated staff that have been with Wee Care for a number of years, operating with no staff room, limited storage, and other issues. It will be nice to have those 'perks' for the staff as well.”
The planned location for the new building was acquired from the Turf Club of Wawanesa, a beautiful space adjacent to the school, with mature trees. A lovely spot which Cullen is obviously eager to share with the children.
“They will have an amazing green space outdoors to go along with their new building,” she says. “It’s a dream come true for so many!”