Parents and community members joined in 1990 with the purpose of investigating and analysing the needs and requirements for childcare in the Assiniboia region. Assiniboia Child Care Services quickly flourished after a series of formal and informal meetings. Also, the fledgling organization had assessed the community’s needs by conducting surveys. Soon, the non-profit became an Assiniboian establishment.
“In October 1990, we started as a playschool twice a week,” Michele Vallieres said as she portrayed how the ACCS grew from an aspiration before shifting into a reality. Vallieres is the Director of Assiniboia Family and Child Care Services Inc.
ACCS has existed at their present location at 501 Fourth Avenue since 1996 after the non-profit moved from another site. The non-profit purchased their current house from Dr. McNeil, who also aided ACCS with a $10,000 donation. At present, ACCS is licensed for 45 children, three infants, five toddlers, 27 pre-schoolers and 10 school-age children. ACCS hires six to seven full time staff, two to three part time employees and a student worker. The non-profit is also a highly rated amenity in the community with a waiting list.
“Our waiting list has grown,” Vallieres substantiated, proving how vital childcare has become in Assiniboia and it's neighbouring districts.
Although the non-profit has been and continues to be a successful venture, ACCS has regularly hosted fundraisers to address the rising costs in childcare. Recently, they held a steak night at 121 Steakhouse on February 6 and raised $1020 from several community members who attended the event on Thursday evening.
“Steak nights are popular. We fundraise to help with forever increasing overhead costs,” said Vallieres.
ACCS has also hosted online art auctions to raise funds for operational expenses. The art created by children attending ACCS was showcased in the Shurniak Gallery while bids for the pieces were posted online. Last year in October, the non-profit earned $3000 from this ground-breaking project in fundraising.
“The overhead costs are increasing,” Vallieres explained then listed some of the regular expenditures for ACCS, including food, utilities, telephone services, town taxes and legal fees. Also, the ACCS has other costs to address in relation to their non-profit status. “We are obligated to full audit as a non-profit,” Vallieres confirmed.
Moreover, ACCS requires staff who are educated in the field of childcare. “The more educated your staff, the more quality care you can deliver. To maintain quality care, we hire staff that are educated,” Vallieres underlined then described the courses childcare workers in the province should have in order to succeed in this field.
The Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers three ranking of courses in early childhood education, which are available to the ACCS by correspondence. Level 1 entails three classes, whereas Level 2 involves a one-year certificate course. Finally, Level 3 – the most valued qualification – is a two-year diploma course.
