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UCN childcare centre aims to give student parents a helping hand

Compared to most post-secondary institutions in Canada, the student body at the University College of the North (UCN) is a lot older on average, which means many of them have their own children to look after.

Compared to most post-secondary institutions in Canada, the student body at the University College of the North (UCN) is a lot older on average, which means many of them have their own children to look after.

Sometimes, this presents a challenge for student parents who have to contend with a full plate of courses, which is why the UCN opened their own Early Learning and Child Care Centre back in October 2016.

To best accommodate UCN pupils, the centre itself is located right in the middle of their Thompson campus, where local students can drop off their children who are anywhere from 12 weeks to six years old.

Even though the centre’s services are predominantly limited to UCN students and employees, executive director Jill Burton said there was no shortage of interest during its first year of operation.

“It’s been really good. We’ve been really busy,” she said. “The rooms are full. The new nature program is very exciting. The children are enjoying that.”

Outside of tailoring their services to student parents specifically, Burton said they also strive to separate themselves from the rest of the pack by adopting a “land-based” approach to all their programming.

This means putting a special emphasis on outdoor learning programs and making sure that environmental consciousness is always front and centre, even during the dead of winter.

“They head to the Boreal Discovery Centre three times a week … they build shelters outside, they eat snacks and do art outside,” said Burton. “Lots of the curriculum is just outdoor-based.”

The centre’s organizers also went out of their way to incorporate Indigenous principles into their teaching style and overall aesthetic. Not only did they adopt the seven sacred teachings, but they also consulted with local elders when it came time to putting the finishing touches on their facility.

“The elders were the ones that picked the names for each one of the rooms,” said Barb Carlson, the centre’s board chair. “As well, we try and get the children involved in the Aboriginal Centre at the heart of UCN.”

Heading into 2018, Burton told the Thompson Citizen that they are busier than ever, and they can barely keep up with the demand.

“People are coming in every day, still looking for spots and we have to turn them away,” she said. “So it’s definitely a bit of a challenge when people want to attend school and they have trouble finding childcare.”

However, if you would like to put your child on a waiting list for a spot in this program, or to find out more about the UCN’s Early Learning and Child Care Centre in general, please contact Burton at elccth@gmail.com.

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