LAMPMAN — The Little Leaper’s Early Learning Centre is nearing completion, bringing much-needed subsidized childcare to the Lampman community.
The centre is set to open its doors on March 17 and is expected to offer 30 childcare spots for young people aged 18 months to six years.
“The Little Leapers Early Learning Centre will be essentially a childcare centre,” said Sarah Johnson, vice-chairwoman of the board. “Lampman currently does not have any subsidized childcare. This is very needed in our community.”
With financial support from the community, government grants and private donations, the centre has raised over $650,000 to fund its construction and operations. On Jan. 23, Tundra Oil & Gas and Kingston Midstream each contributed $15,000 towards the project.
Participating in recent cheque presentation were, back row, from left, Mike Grobbink and Candice Englot with Kingston Midstream, and Rebecca Edge and Richard Brokop with Little Leapers centre. Front row, Trevor Deren, Kingston Midstream, Sarah Johnson, Little Leapers centre, and Jonathan Kowal Tundra Oil & Gas.
“We believe in supporting local non-profit organizations, charities and community initiatives through our Community Investment efforts, particularly with the generous support from our parent company, James Richardson & Sons, Ltd,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Johnson said the centre is in its final stages of preparation.
“We’re just finishing some of the minor construction details in the centre. We’re waiting on a large custom range hood for our kitchen, and we are also just finishing up on building furniture,” she said.
Parents and community members have played a key role in assembling the centre’s furniture in recent weeks.
“We’ve had work bees over the past two nights where parents and volunteers and community members can come in and help us assemble all of this furniture that will be in our centre,” Johnson said.
Little Leaper’s will employ five to six full-time staff members. The board has also hired Rebecca Edge as a director to oversee day-to-day operations and ensure a smooth opening.
“We have an excellent director hired who is incredibly organized and is on top of everything,” Johnson said.
As the centre approaches its opening date, organizers are still seeking donations, particularly for toys, kitchen supplies and craft materials.
“We are doing a toy drive for gently-used or new toys,” Johnson said. “And things like pots and pans or small appliances like blenders for outfitting our kitchen, and even just utensils.”
A donation drop-off will be held at the centre on Feb. 15 and 22 from 9-11 a.m. Monetary and in-kind donations are being accepted. The centre has launched a Facebook bingo fundraiser, where community members can contribute towards specific items needed for the facility.
“We are hoping at some point in the spring to have a grand opening where we have the community members come in and see what we’ve done to the space,” Johnson said. “The space was formerly our town office and RM building, and a lot of our community members only recognize it as that. Now that we’ve completed the majority of the renovations, it’s very different and it’s very child-friendly and engaging.”
She also thanked everybody who’s been supporting the project since its first days.
“We definitely want to thank all of the community members who have been involved with the board and our director Rebecca. They have been number 1 since day 1 to get this off the ground,” Johnson said.
“We would also like to thank the Town of Lampman and the RM of Browning specifically.
“And then we do want to give a big thank you to the Richardson Foundation for their significant donation as well.”
For more information, visit the centre’s Facebook page, Little Leapers Early Learning Centre Inc., or contact director Rebecca Edge at [email protected].
