News & Upcoming events

Check out our Family Place updates, updated Sept. 28, 2020
October 2020 Mayneliner Article
Greetings from the Early Childhood Society. We have been hard at work on our capital build project, as well as embracing the challenge of operating a childcare program in a pandemic – not a relaxing time for our little organization! On top of all of this we are awaiting word from the Canada Revenue Agency in response to our charitable status application this month. With so many goings on, and lots of new families to our community, I thought it a good time to provide a run-down of our current daycare offerings and future plans.
 
MIECS is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization that operates the Mayne Island Daycare as well other programs that are currently on hold due to the pandemic. The daycare is a licensed, multi-age program that runs a total of 36 hours per week from Monday-Friday at the Mayne Island School. Our capacity is 8 children at a time, between the ages of 1 year to Grade 1. We currently serve 11 families throughout the week, most of whom are able to access provincial government subsidies to reduce the daily fee of approximately $50 to very affordable levels. Families access the daycare for many reasons, including full and part time employment outside of the house for (mainly) women; respite to fulfill other obligations or meaningful pursuits; socialization for their children, and importantly, the rich educational opportunities offered in the curriculum.
 
Since 2018, our staff have created a wonderful program based on active play, nature curiosity and community. Children attending Mayne Island Daycare have incredible opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and their environment from attentive, nurturing caregivers and educators. We are very proud to provide a truly dynamic and whimsical program that we believe helps children form a solid foundation for learning and loving in life. As one parent put it, "I am so grateful that this resource exists on Mayne Island, it fills a gap in children's programs that just haven't been available here before."
 
As I mentioned at the top, things have been extra busy of late for our little-daycare-that-could. Pandemic-related administration has turned out to be very time consuming; our educators have taken on the responsibility for several new protocols and practice regulations, and the demand for toddler care has left many families waiting for service. As we prepare to break ground at the community centre (stay tuned for details), we are also left wondering how to bridge the gap and meet demand for our young families in the meantime.
 
Our new facility will have capacity for 12 greatly needed new childcare spots as well as our existing 8. In addition, it will enable childcare programming for school-aged children after school and on non-school days. Located on the west wing of the Community Centre grounds, tucked away between the tennis courts and community gardens, the Mayne Island Family Place will be a welcome addition to our vibrant community. It will require new energy and community support, and many have already engaged. If you are interested in becoming involved in the future of the daycare, please get in touch. Please visit our website where we have uploaded drawings and renderings, as well as many more details about our building.
 
Submitted by Meaghan Feduck
miearlychildhood@gmail.com
www.miearlychildhood.com
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All Events Postponed Until Further Notice
MIECS is following the recommendations of our Health Center, and cancelling our community events for the foreseeable future. We hope to reschedule all of these events as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.


Mayne Island Early Childhood society

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