Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Wrigley (Jan 12/01) - A new child-care facility opens it doors next week in Wrigley.
With growing demand for child care because of a new adult basic education program, the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation Child Care Centre has been set up.
"It's a big house with an enclosed playground area," said Louise Beck, community wellness worker. "Inside there's the usual table and chairs for the children to do their arts and crafts and a place for story time."
Anne Keizer, of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, inspected the building which is located next to the community's co-op.
The daycare will run from 8 a.m. until 4:30 or 5 p.m., according to Beck. With two people on staff, pre-school programming will be offered to the children as well. Six to 10 children were already registered by early this week, she said.
"Some of the mothers are doing the ABE courses and some of the mothers are going to work or just want some free time to themselves and want their children to be socializing more with other children," said Beck. "And to learn some skills too: arts and crafts, shapes and colours."
A minimum user fee of up to $5 per day will be charged, Beck said. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment is providing joint funding with the Local Training Authority for the project. Rosemary Moses has been hired as the child-care worker and Wendy Moses is on board as her assistant.
Moses, who was helping put things in place on Monday, said she jumped at the opportunity to work at the daycare.
"I thoroughly enjoy working with children," she said. "I've done it for the last three years as the rec co-ordinator."
She said the facility is much needed in the community of about 150 people.
"It's a great idea. There are lots of children here who are passed from one sitter to another. So there will be some stability in that way I think," she said.
The community's previous day-care facility operated for about six months and opened only in the afternoon.
