Big news for little people
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Tillsonburg Little School has big news.
“Open, now open,” said Jo Vallee, president of the organization’s board. “We have been working on this for two years.
“Open for business, need kids,” she amended later, a statement backed up by board vice-president Sarah Bruder.
“Can that be in capitals?” the latter laughed.
The opening of a brand-new, non-profit, licenced daycare facility at 102 King Street East (slightly northeast of the police station) January 27th is actually an extended story that stretches back decades, dovetailing into that of the former First Baptist Weekday Nursery. It announced operations would be ceasing two years in advance of its June 2013 closure, a time at which is served ’50-plus families’ on a full and part-time basis, said Vallee.
“We identified this as a big gap in service once they closed.”
The Bruder family used the First Baptist Weekday Daycare says Sarah, and ‘loved the care the kids received.
“We were so said to see the doors close and didn’t want to see that come to an end.”
Bruder prefers the model of a licenced facility staffed by registered Early Childhood Education (ECE) workers, for factors including consistency around vacation and potential illness.
“That gives me a comfort level as a mom.”
In response to the First Baptist Weekday Nursery’s impending closure, an advisory committee with parent volunteer and current staff representation was formed, which says Vallee, morphed into a board of directors for Tillsonburg Little School.
Funding was a major challenge, Vallee said, along with ‘location, location, location,’ a conundrum answered with assistance from Kassandra Way (nee McLaughlin), whose family business purchased an appropriate property. Tillsonburg Little School was responsible for renovations, but without the building’s purchase and working costs into the lease arrangement, “this wouldn’t have happened,” says Bruder, a statement that applies equally to ongoing efforts from the board, parent volunteers, staff and the community.
“It really wouldn’t have happened without them.”
Renovations began in the summer of 2013, following the property’s purchase that spring. Completion of a bright, airy, open-concept facility, along with required permits and inspections, was accomplished in time for a late-January opening.
The finished stand-alone facility has room for 10 toddlers (15 months to two-and-a-half years, in a dedicated room with a staff/student ration of 1/5); and 32 pre-schoolers (three to six years of age, in two dedicated rooms with a staff/student ratio of 1/8). Continuity is provided by the fact a number of former First Baptist Weekday Nursery staff members are onsite. Cost at the Tillsonburg Little School non-profit daycare is $39.50 per day for toddlers and $37.50 per day for pre-schoolers.
“Subsidized spaces are available from the county,” said Vallee.
There may also be JK/SK summer spots available, along with spaces for PA days and March Break.
Those seeking more information, or a tour, are invited to call 519-842-5628, email tillsonburglittleschool@hotmail.com or visit the Tillsonburg Little School Facebook page.
Those involved have engaged with a project that in a way, has become their shared ‘baby.’ The journey has been quite as long and complicated as initially expected, but has currently reached a mutually exciting and challenging nexus point: in short, transitioning into a financially-viable operation.
“We really are relying on the community to kind of back us up,” said Vallee, who in conclusion, says the effort has certainly been worthwhile. “It’s been a long haul, but now the doors are open, it’s worth it.”