By Mark Dreger
The Westbank First Nation celebrated their official opening and provincial recognition of the WFN Early Years Centre with an open house on Friday at the new Youth Centre.
香蕉视频直播淲estbank First Nation is proud to receive recognition as a Provincial Early Years Centre,香蕉视频直播� Westbank First Nation Chief Roxanne Lindley said. 香蕉视频直播淥ur younger members are the future of our nation, and council is committed to expanding the programs and services available for our babies, parents, and children.香蕉视频直播�
The $5.5 million centre will help grow the already successful community services, with over 100 children and adults taking part in the programs they provide. The After School Care Program has already reached capacity with a waitlist for more.
The centre, which formerly offered programs and services at the WFN Health and Wellness Building, is now located on the top floor of the new WFN Youth Centre.
香蕉视频直播淥ur vision for the future is to have a facility that houses all of our early years programs and services in a culturally safe environment, including daycare and preschool, as well as a space to provide ancillary services on site,香蕉视频直播� said Early Years Services manager Margaret Eli. 香蕉视频直播淢oving to our new location is an exciting step toward fulfilling that vision.香蕉视频直播�
The Capital News spoke with Eli after the event.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e being provincially recognized for something we香蕉视频直播檝e been doing for many years as an integrated service,香蕉视频直播� Eli said, 香蕉视频直播渁nd especially with our children and families, so it香蕉视频直播檚 a way to grow, it香蕉视频直播檚 a way to be recognized, and it香蕉视频直播檚 a way for the bigger community to buy into First Nations programs and be welcome to our land.香蕉视频直播�
Eli says that the programs will give First Nation students 香蕉视频直播渁 much better start than they香蕉视频直播檝e ever had香蕉视频直播� in their education, with programs such as the After School Care Program, the Infant Development Program, and the Supported Child Development for children with special needs.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e addressing the needs before they go to school,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪o if a child say has a speech difficulty, then they can get the services right up there so that by the time they enter school they won香蕉视频直播檛 have it or it will be lessened.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 exciting to be able to see that children with special needs can get they香蕉视频直播檙e services here,香蕉视频直播� Eli said.
WFN has operated early years programs for over 30 years, but recently received provincial recognition in summer 2016.
The Early Years Centre runs programs that include 香蕉视频直播渇amily programming, supported child infant development, after school programs, and spring and summer camps香蕉视频直播� designed for infants, young children, and whole families. The Centre香蕉视频直播檚 programs are run by eight full-time employees, one permanent part-time employee, one casual employee, four summer students, and four childcare providers. The programs focus on education, language, culture, and family involvement to name a few.
香蕉视频直播淲ithout the children we would not be a community,香蕉视频直播� Eli told the attendees of the event. 香蕉视频直播淲e would not have a future. And we do have a future and it香蕉视频直播檚 a bright future.香蕉视频直播�
