HUMBOLDT — In a feedback session about a new Early Years Family Resource Centre, respondents said they wanted an indoor play centre, talks by local experts for parental resources and a place to meet other parents.
The feedback event was held on Aug. 12 at Water Ridge Park in an effort to hear from parents in the community about what services they would like the upcoming Humboldt Early Years Family Resource Centre to have.
Early Years Family Resource Centres offer a range of drop-in and scheduled programming for families with young children up to five years of age.
These include activities for babies and toddlers, access to information, professionals, as well as support groups where parents can share their experiences with others and seek advice.
The Humboldt centre is planned to open in October after $215,000 in funding was announced by the province in April to go to the startup of the facility.
For the feedback event, the Horizon School Division partnered with KidsFirst to set up play areas around the park for the youth to enjoy while the parents filled out a feedback form.
Katherine Oviatt, the division’s superintendent of learning, said this is one of several information sessions the division is holding that will influence the programs held by the facility.
“We just want to make sure what we have in the centre and the programming is suited for the population that we serve,” Oviatt said.
“There are some things that’s pretty standard, some developmentally appropriate activities and those kinds of things but if the need is for parents to have a sit together then we know we need to make sure we have a space for parents to sit, grab coffee and chat while kids play.”
Oviatt said for families who missed the event, there will be more in the future.
“This is just our ‘dip our toe in the water and see what kind of response we get to start with.’ This process is kind of gaining momentum as we build and make the centre a reality.”
