A new facility for families of small children has opened in Willoughby Elementary for families in the Willoughby and Walnut Grove area.
The new Early Years Centre will offer a variety of services and was created in a partnership between the 91原创 Early Childhood Development Committee, School District 35, 91原创 Community Services, Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services, and 91原创 Child Development Centre.
There are programs such as the infant development play group, Family Resource Program for parents/caregivers and young children to help with readiness for school; a Mothers and Tots program for Spanish-speakers; and an program focused on early literacy development and school preparation for children in immigrant families.
芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉re thrilled to be able to establish a site in Willoughby芒鈧� said Lynne Pearson, executive director of 91原创 Child Development Centre. 芒鈧揥e know that Willoughby has the highest number of young children of any 91原创 neighbourhood and we hope from this centre we can more efficiently serve our families in Walnut Grove.芒鈧�
The groups behind this centre expect there will be more offered in the future.
芒鈧揟his is only the beginning of services,芒鈧� said executive director Bill Dartnell with 91原创 Community Services. 芒鈧揟his is a 芒鈧渓imited芒鈧劉 opening of one room at Willoughby Elementary on four days a week. In the fall, however, one wing of the school will become the Early Years Centre, offering a much wider variety of early years services.芒鈧�
In September the centre will expand its services to include a preschool, children芒鈧劉s library story time, recreation services and educational opportunities on topics that will support children芒鈧劉s overall development. Strong Start will continue to be provided as part of the centre.
The centre also receives support from the Township and many local service providers, according to Lynne Topham, executive director of Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services.
芒鈧揟his has been a unique venture between a whole constellation of services for young children,芒鈧� she said. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s a testament to the power of collaboration when a community works together to provide local services. Now we芒鈧劉re looking forward to working with the families in Willoughby and North 91原创 to ensure this center successfully meets their needs.芒鈧�
