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For immediate release:
SPREDA encourages Daycare
South Parkland REDA is working with parents in Melville and surrounding district to bring about a new childcare facility in this community. “We believe that a subsidized childcare facility at a not for profit facility is the best approach for this community,” says South Parkland REDA’s EDO, Micheal
Halyk. Stats Canada own surveys points out that Melville is ripe for a subsidized facility.
Currently the City of Melville has two daycare facilities that are running at full capacity with no capability for expansion. Through consultation with parents of young children, we have identified a large number of people who could utilize this facility. We have identified children from infant right up to age thirteen who may need this facility on a full or part-time basis.
South Parkland REDA is committed to overseeing the development of this centre through its early stages. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Frog Room at the Community Works Building. It is hoped that enough interest will be generated at this meeting to establish a Board Of Directors made up of parents and community members to oversee the proposed Daycare.
The staff at South Parkland REDA is excited about making this proposal a reality for Melville and area. It is our estimate, says Halyk, that our proposed centre will need to accommodate at least fifteen childcare positions with at least half of those positions being designated as infants. The other half would be reserved for toddler children to aged thirteen needing part-time (hourly care).
All interested individuals from Melville and area are encouraged to attend this very worthwhile meeting on Tuesday January 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Frog Room at the Community Works Building in Melville.
Daycare
Close to Reality
Away we Grow Daycare which formulated a number of months ago in the City of Melville are one step closer to opening.
A meeting was held recently between the Board of Away We Grow, representatives from Early Learning and Childhood and South Parkland REDA. At that meeting those present were notified that some funding was allocated for a licensed daycare within Melville. Local Board members were not happy though to find out that they well receive a bit less then half the allocation they had applied for. Reasons for the reduction were laid on the recent cuts the New Federal Government has made to the whole area of childcare. Of the 250 spots that were once being promised for East-Central Saskatchewan, only Melville and Moosemin well receive some subsidization for the day care area for less then 35 spots in total.
The Board of Away We Grow now must make some tough decisions if they plan on moving forward with the daycare. Since the numbers allocated don’t budget out for a feasible operation, decisions well need to be made as to moving forward with a combination of other levels of care for children to help ease the budget worries. One thought was, to move forward with the daycare and in conjunction try run an after school program to generate some additional revenue.
Location and a possible facility is also another major issue. The Board needs to find a suitable location that suits the needs of the number’s approved for immediate funding, but yet have the room for possible expansion. Micheal Halyk the EDO of South Parkland REDA offered the people present some alternatives to think about. There is a possibility of a excellent location that may be available if the right offer can be made to the buildings owners.
After a good deal of discussion it was felt the issue needs to go back to a public meeting for some new ideas and additional volunteer’s to make the possibility of a licensed daycare in Melville a reality. A public meeting has been set for September 25th at 7:pm in the meeting room at Community Works. Those needing additional information can contact Dawn Thompson @ 728-3762, Jackie Appel @ 728-6849, Lindsay Hickie @ 728-3599 or South Parkland REDA @ 728-6855
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