UNITY — The number of hours from research and planning to opening is too difficult to tally. The rewards the Town of Unity will have with a brand new licensed daycare, however, are immeasurable.
Carmen Bowker and Crystal O’Brian both say it was at least the spring of 2009 when they began the conversations that led to the 2016 opening of a new childcare centre in Unity. Both had young children at the time yet, by the time their vision of a new licensed daycare in Unity came to be, neither will benefit from its services, as their children are all or will soon be in school.
Bowker and O’Brian are joined on a volunteer board by Carey Baker, representing the Town of Unity, and Christie Gerein. With Unity Credit Union coming on as a major sponsor, Sandra Wagner has also joined the committee as a board representative.
Bowker and O’Brian said, “We will not be taking away from any existing daycare in town, but adding services and hours that are currently unavailable. This daycare will be open through all the school breaks, including summer and parents utilizing this daycare will not need to worry about finding alternate daycare if someone is sick or on vacation.”
One of the biggest challenges the volunteer board ran into was securing space to house the daycare. When they first applied for a government grant, they were seeking space in one of the schools, however their needs changed. The daycare now occupies the former offices of Heartland Health, which became vacant after Heartland’s move to the Unity Community Resource Centre.
Both Bowker and O’Brian praised the ongoing efforts and commitment of Unity’s director of economic development, Carey Baker, in persevering through these challenges on their behalf. Bowker adds, “We had no existing home for a long period of time as we had run into multiple vetos for options we were checking into.”
After having been rejected for government funding for the fifth time in April 2014, they considered giving up. However, in July of 2014, the government reallocated daycare spots. This led to Unity Community Daycare receiving the go-ahead to start their project.
It took extensive work to complete the daycare space. Offices needed to be removed and a larger kitchen to prepare meals for the daycare children was needed. Community members donated much of the content in the daycare. Unity Public School donated little chairs and an adjustable table.
The majority of funding, to this point, has come from government grants. The volunteer board also acknowledges Unity Credit Union, who are their only major sponsor, so far. Farm Credit Canada, Randy Sander Accounting and Delta Co-op were also acknowledged.
Daycare fees and government funding will cover most operating expenses, however, they will still need to fundraise to ensure they don’t go into the red. The group has planned a community barbecue at Delta Co-op in conjunction with the food store anniversary.
The daycare is currently operating as a non-profit charitable organization, but is working toward obtaining a registered charity designation.
They can’t pinpoint an exact list of volunteers who have helped this dream become a reality, however they do acknowledge with gratefulness all those who have helped along the way. Also, daycare director Tenielle Heit enlisted the help of her parents for hours of volunteer labour in during setup.
“We need to acknowledge Shirley Parkinson ,who was a huge support and advocated hard for this dream to become a reality and she would be very proud of what has been accomplished with our small group and her leadership,” both board members say.
The daycare currently has 20 licenced spots, which enables the daycare to receive monthly funding and also provides parents subsidized daycare for those who qualify. For now, the daycare employs three full-time and one part-time staff. In the future, the daycare has the potential to add another full-time staff member.
As well as operating the daycare, the Unity Community Daycare also operates the after school program offered at both elementary schools.
Registration is open to anyone for full-time, part-time, casual or drop-in care. Contact the daycare at 306-228-2995 with any questions.
