LITTLE CURRENT—The anticipation in the Little Current Public School gymnasium was palpable as children and their parents awaited the appearance of The Amazing René, a magician whose feats of prestidigitation more than lived up to the promise of his name. The magician provided a draw to the Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR) open house that highlighted the childcare services provided by MFR.
Those services included the Manitoulin Best Start Hub, which provides early learning opportunities and parent education in order to promote healthy families and the opportunity for all children to achieve success in school.
MFR spokesperson Diana St. Pierre noted that the Manitoulin Best Start Hub programs are provided by trained and experienced staff and that the programs offered at the Best Start Hub are free and open to all.
The Manitoulin Best Start Hub is located at 18 Draper Street and is attached to Little Current Public School. Satellite programs are also available at Mindemoya, Manitowaning and Gore Bay. The program’s mandate is to create opportunities for children to play, make friends and socialize in a safe environment. It also offers parent an opportunity to meet other parents, to connect with other services such as childcare or preschool learning programs, to receive supports and resources and to help prepare children for school.
Manitoulin Family Resources also operates a licenced Early Learning and Care Centre in Little Current Public School for part-time, full-time and before and after school care for children aged 18-months to 12-years. Before and after school care is also available at Central Manitoulin Public School in Mindemoya for children aged three-and-a-half to 12 years of age.
Daycare activities at both sites provide children with early learning and play opportunities, stimulation, and healthy development.
Ms. St. Pierre pointed out that both centres are governed by the Day Nurseries Act, are compliant with the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Early Learning Program and are staffed by qualified Early Childhood Educators and that subsidies are available to qualified applicants through the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board.
Manitoulin Family Resources also oversees a network of licenced home daycare providers located throughout the region.
Home based daycare offers an affordable, flexible option for parents who prefer to have their children in a small, residential setting.
All homes are inspected and approved according to the specified Day Nurseries Act (DNA), and are monitored regularly. Providers must comply with all DNA and local regulations.
When the last trick had been pulled from the Amazing René’s figurative hat, participants were invited back into the Hub Centre for some cake and free gifts of a travelling coffee mug and beach cooler/backpack.
For parents looking for more information, or wanting a tour of the facility, call Cathy Kaitting at 705-368-3400 ext. 4. If you are parent looking for quality child care and want an alternative to Centre Based Child Care or an individual who is currently watching children in your home or would like to consider earning an income with providing care in your home, you are encouraged to call 705-368-3400 ext. 2 or by emailing aroy@mfresources.net.
