Sangudo Children’s Academy and Daycare welcomed families to an open house Tuesday afternoon, giving them a look into an environment where children explore, play and learn.
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The daycare is based in Sangudo Community School and was launched under the Sangudo and District Economic Development Council in October 2022, to great success.
“There’s definitely a need for childcare in the county and community,” said Jaimie Hagman, the daycare’s program supervisor.
“Partnering with the school is ideal. Many families are already coming here, so it’s convenient to them and we’re able to pool resources with the school.
“It’s easy for the children to transition to kindergarten and Grade 1, because they already know the space and are comfortable with the space.”
The daycare currently has 18 kids registered, some being part-time as Hagman said its full-time capacity is 15 kids.
Despite being full, on Tuesday afternoon Sangudo Children’s Academy was signing up new families. Spots may open as some kids age out, Hagman said.
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As well, she said Sangudo Children’s Academy hopes to open spaces for 16 more kids, doubling the daycare’s capacity.
“We have lots of families who are inquiring for care,” she said.
On top of the number of kids enrolled in the daycare program, Hagman said Sangudo Children’s Academy has some out-of-school registrations.
These kids come after school, which means they can make use of the gym, she said.
Sangudo Children’s Academy has three teachers, including Hagman as well as Emily McLeod and Jorja Werenka. There are two substitutes and Hagman said the daycare is looking to hire another teacher.
To be a teacher, Hagman said an applicant must have completed a childcare orientation course.
Another way Sangudo Children’s Academy plans to expand is by taking over Sangudo Community School’s playschool program, Hagman said.
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Sangudo Children’s Academy will begin running the playschool program in September, with Hagman saying it will involve much of the same programming.
The playschool programming will also look at “school readiness skills,” along with “pre-reading and -writing skills” already included in the daycare’s curriculum, she said.
The daycare was conceived as a way to keep Sangudo Community School viable.
The kids range in age from 12 months to 12 years, Hagman said. Sangudo Children’s Academy is currently open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but she said it’s looking to expand its hours.
According to Sangudo Children’s Academy, its curriculum “supports an environment of play,” with learning goals.
These include exploration and problem-solving, fine and gross motor skills and “communication literacy.”
bquarin@postmedia.com
