Victoria daycare marks half-century

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This article was published 14/09/2022 (1259 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Few daycares can say they have been around for a half-century, but Victoria Day Care Centre can.

The facility is marking 50 years since it opened its doors in 1972. Its decades-long history means it’s had two-and-a-half generations of children come through its doors, then go on to be citizens of Brandon and the Westman region.

To celebrate, they are hosting an anniversary backyard barbecue and games for children on Sept. 19. If it rains, celebrations will be moved to Sept. 20. Current and former families and staff are invited to visit the centre.

With so many children and families being part of Victoria Day Care Centre, it’s had a major influence on the region, explained Surien Fourie, communications and public relations specialist of Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba, which operates the facility.

Victoria Day Care Centre was the first group organized daycare in the city, she said.

“At the time our community leaders saw a need for an accessible daycare centre for all families,” she said. “They recognized early intervention before it was a common thing.”

It’s a great accomplishment to reach this milestone not just for Child and Family Services, she said, but for the community as well.

It isn’t just about play, the centre also helps families connect children to supports they may need, such as speech and language therapy and occupational therapy development. This makes the centre unique as the parents don’t have to leave the centre to get those supports, she said.

It’s become an example of what can happen when families, no matter their background, can have access to quality daycare and resources.

“We are very proud of being part of the community and being a support,” she said.

“The centre has evolved over the last 50 years and gone through quite a lot of stages. We are really looking forward to serving the community for many more years.”

Victoria Day Care Centre was originally for students and staff at Brandon University so they could have a access to daycare services on campus, Fourie said.

In 1980, the centre moved from the university’s campus to its current location at 2227 Brandon Ave., providing more space indoors and outdoors for more children to attend.

The expansion continued in 2010, when the building underwent a huge renovation thanks to a bequeathment from William H. McCutcheon. The building was named after him in honour of his generosity.

The large and modernized spaces allow staff to lead children in a wide variety of activities, including dress-up, sand and water play, stories, music, field trips and art, said Eileen Czerkawski, Victoria Day Care Centre director, in a news release.

“Parents are essential members of the team in providing quality care for their children,” she said.

“Parents are given supports, education, resources and tools to help them help their children learn and grow. Together, parents and staff discover, share, and contribute to the child’s growth and development.”

Child and Family Services of Western Manitoba is a non-profit, community-based charity organization that has been in operation since 1899. It offers supports for families, as well as government-mandated protection for children from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation.

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