This October, the Caribou Room in Banff will once again offer its after school services to children entering kindergarten. However, if enrollment doesn’t pick up the program may be in jeopardy over the next few years.
Created last September by the Banff Child Care Centre, the program, which runs until June, had 12 or 13 full-time registered children and offered a mix of learning and play that was pleasing to parents as well as the children.
“We’re very play-based,” said Greta Correll, executive director with the Banff Child Care Centre. “These children are used to learning through play up until the age of seven, so it’s very similar to the kindergarten room itself.
“It will be child-driven and whatever is interesting to them at that time,” she said about this year’s program. “Also, part of our philosophy here is emergent curriculum, so it’s taking the interests of the child and exploring through them rather than deciding what we’re going to teach them. It seems to work really well.”
Correll pointed out that despite the monetary difficulties surrounding starting up a brand new program and the small number of staff involved, the program was a success.
“The kids loved the program and so did the parents,” she said. “In that way it was successful. If there wasn’t a dollar sign attached to it we’d say it was a great success. The staff did feel a little isolated because we’re used to working with a team of 20 teachers.
“We don’t have any discipline problems and children are very keen to interact,” she added. “It meets the individual needs of children because at that age they’re still varied. Some kids are really keen on reading and writing and other kids are doing a lot of exploratory play.”
Last year’s program was held in one of the classrooms at the elementary school, however, since the room is no longer available due to a higher volume of enrollment in the younger grades, the program has been moved to the elementary school’s stage.
“That’s also not our philosophy,” the executive director said regarding the program’s new location. “We offer quality child care in a very nurturing and stimulating environment and because it’s on the stage, we have to set it up and take it down every day. You have to go there, set up the room, do a safety check, make sure everything is OK and then go get the children.”
Thanks to a donation from the Banff Community Foundation, the Caribou Room was able to operate last year and Correll said it would be applying for another grant this September. Having an after-school program fills a gap in the community, she said.
“That’s actually where the hard decision lies, because there is a need for the service, but it’s not enough to cover all costs.”
The program is “dependent on the demand for it,” according to a letter from Day Care Society of Banff board chair Adrienne Kennett, who added that if enrollment falls below 12 children, continued operations will be jeopardized.
To help figure out a way to solve the financial difficulties with properly funding the program, members from the Banff Child Care Centre will meet with the Town of Banff this week.
“They’re always open to us about talking about fundraising,” Correll said about working with the Town.
Two fundraising initiatives to help support the program are already planned, she said, including a semi-formal wine and cheese event set for October, as well as a poinsettia campaign later in the year.
The after school program will run from 3-6 p.m. on days when kindergarten is open and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on days when it is closed. Fees for this year will be $525 per month for the entire year (October to June), $25 a day for after school care and $55 a day for full days.
Those interested in signing their kids up or learning more about the program can call the Banff Child Care Centre at 403-762-3339 or visit their location at 349 Bighorn Street in Banff to fill out an application. Those looking to volunteer with the program are encouraged to contact the centre as well.
