New Daycare opens in Oyen
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
A new daycare opened its doors in Oyen on Monday, March 1st, and is a welcome addition to the Oyen Public School at 107 - 4th Avenue East. Kim Olson, President of the Oyen Childcare Society, said the daycare accepts children ages 12 months to five years of age and is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening.
The process of establishing a licensed daycare in Oyen began at the beginning of 2020 when the Town of Oyen conducted surveys. The Town completed a needs assessment for the community, and the results showed a significant need for daycare. Later on, in the fall, a board was formed consisting of seven members. Kim Olsen is president, Brandi Smith - vice-president, Nancy Christianson - secretary, Jaime Bowles - treasurer, Wanda Daikow - Special Areas representative, MaryAnn Burns - FCSS representative and Sarah Grover is parent representative.
“I took off with the licensing and paperwork that needed to be done in order to open,” Kim said. “Of course, Covid slowed the process down a bit, but we pushed through.” The daycare opening was made possible through the generous contributions of numerous local individuals, organizations, and businesses.
There are currently five children registered at the daycare, but that number will be sure to increase in the weeks and months to come.
“It’s nice that the kids have time to settle in, and we have time to set things up. It’s more of a relaxing time for the kids in there now,” Kim said. Interested parents can contact the daycare on their Facebook page or email them, and a registration package will be sent to them to be filled out. Low-income families are eligible to receive a subsidy.
The daycare operates out of one of the classrooms in the school and has access to the gym. “We have quite a bit of room, and we also have our own outdoor play space for the daycare,” Kim stated.
Regina Dewald holds the position of Executive Director and is trained in the Reggio Emilia approach. This is a child-led play-based curriculum focussing on nature and natural materials. Regina believes in giving children the opportunity to use their imagination.
Additional staff members include Brook Chernenko - childcare supervisor, and Lindsay Hauck - early childhood educator.
If anyone is interested in supporting the daycare, monetary donations can be made directly to the Town of Oyen, which will provide a charitable donation tax receipt. Regina is also happy to accept donations of toys or outdoor equipment.
PHOTOS
Chloe Tam feeding the baby.
Oyen Daycare staff: Brooke Cherwenuk and Regina Dewald