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Clinton News-Record, 1985-6-26, Page 35PAGE TEN Children benefit frim Vocal day care centres The children of Tuckersmith are fortunate to have a well equipped day care nursery. The school opened in 1975 with 12 children In attendance. This year they had 59. Pictured with a few of the children la Karen McEwing-McConnell, director of the nursery, and Tammy Driscoll. (Anne Narejko photo) 527-0333 Seaforth Gulf Service Just east of the lights on the right G0NGRATULATI0IV5 TUCKERSM ITH on your 150th LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL BROKERS OF SOYABEANS, CORN, EDIBLE BEANS & LENTELS AG•COM T ING INC. Box 1270, Exeter, Ontario, Canada NOM 1SO [519] 235-2520 TELEX 064-78560 "AG COM INC EXR" "COMMODITY MERCHANTS" BILL STRONG WES FETCH By Anne Narejko "We've grown steadily over the years. Ten years have gone by fast for me, but the one thing that amazes me the most is that the first children we had here will now be 15 or 16 -years -old." This comment comes from Karen McEwing-McConnell, Director off the Tuckersmith Dhy Nursery. Ms. McEwing- McConnell has been with the nursery since day one, watching the attendance and the staff grow. 1985 not only marks Tuckersmith's ses- quicentennial, but it also marks the 10th an- niversary of the Tuckersmith Day Nursery. The offical day of opening was September 29, 1975. The nursery came about after a group of community residents put together a pro- posal and applied to Community and Social Services. Other area applications were received, but officials decided to have the nursery set up in Vanastra. The only other day care centre in the area is located in Wingham. Upon accepting Tuckersmith's applica- tion, Community and Social Services agreed to provide 100 per cent funding to get the operation off the ground. This funding in- cluded equipment and any renovations needed. Today, Community and Social Services pays 80 per cent and Tuckersmith pays 20 per cent of the expenses which are not covered by registration fees. On opening day, 12 children attend the Tuckersmith Day Nursery, located at the back of the Vanastra Recreation Centre. By December the year-round nursery had 22 children. Today they have 59 registered. "The children don't come. every day, so we have approximately 30 children per day," explained Ms. McEwing-McConnell. "Some come before school, or at lunch for a warm meal or after school. We have a han- dy location here . by Vanastra Public School." The nursery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is available for children two to 10 - years -old. The fees vary according to the use and parents are not charged if their child misses a day. With the increase in attendance, the staff has also had to increase. When Ms. McEwing-McConnell started, she worked with one other person, Sandi Ross. Now there are four staff members and one cook. Staff members include assistant Marilyn Bowie, Nancy Sue Swan, Mary Verberne plus Tammy Discoll who fills in when a per- son is on leave. The cook is June Tomkins - Lee. All staff members have their Early Childhood Education diploma. Because the nursery is licensed by Com- munity and Social Services, one hot meal is required. This meal, served at lunch, usual- ly consists of meat and potatoes, a vegetable, vegetable sticks, milk and a dessert. A snack is also provided in the mor- ning and the afternoon. The structure of the nursery has remained relatively consistant over the years. Due to the large number of children, they are separated into smaller groups and rotate to the different areas. These areas allow the children to do crafts, play freely in the playroom or par- ticipate in circle, which is a time for songs, stories and games. The children are also given the opportunity of using the pool at the Vanastra Recreation Centre. "We encourage the children to be indepen- dent and do some activities on their own," commented Ms. McEwing-McConnell. Once in awhile the children are taken out of the school to explore outside areas as a group. They venture out on field trips to places such as Story Book Gardens, the local hospital or to local farms to see the lambs around Easter. They are also given the opportunity to decorate floats and par- ticipate in parades which the nursery enters. "What we aim for is a flexable program, with some children coming five days a week, all day and some children coming two days, depending on their needs." Lady Diana Nursery The Vanastra Recreation is also the home of the Lady Diana Nursery, a nursery for mentally or physically handicapped children who are between the ages of two and 10. This nursery was opened in February of 1981 and is'a half day (morning) program. Registration has doubled since 1981 when six children took advantage of the program. Turn to page 11 NAPPY 9 ©ll:a TREMEER COMMERCIAL PRINTERS & OFFICE SUPPLY Phone 527-1640 12 Main St. S., Seaforth, Ontario. NOK 1WO II • •