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The Huron Expositor, 1988-05-18, Page 3Tuckersmith one of the BY YVONNE REYNOLDS, As the topic of day care for young children pops up more and more often in the media, - townships like Tuckersmith can be allowed a smug smile. Tuckersmith is one of the few municipalities in Huron County which has been offering this service for many years. (The town of Wingham also operates a day care centre). Among the early supporters of the Tuckersmith facility was Ervin Sillery, deputy reeve when a group of Vanastra residents first petitioned Tuckersmith coun- cil. The documented need for a day care centre and the availability of government assistance persuaded councillors to back the proposal. Mr. Sillery recalls the project faced op- position from some who called the concept "glorified babysitting". Tuckersmith coun- cillors defended the proposal as good for local industry and good for the community. Mr. Sillery explained at the time Vanastra had the county's highest concentration of mothers on welfare. Having a safe and secure place to leave their children meant many could go out and work part-time. DAY CARE CENTRE OPENS The Tuckersmith Day Nursery opened in 1975, and the Lady Diana Nursery for youngsters with disabilities in 1980. Both are housed in the rec centre at Vanastra. The day nursery, which is open from 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., has facilities to accom- modate at one time 34 pre-schoolers aged two -and -one-half to five, and 10 school-age children aged six to 10 before school, at lunch and after school. Some come twice a week, some three days, a few once a week, and one farmer brings his child on a part- time basis. A total of 60 children are cared for each week. Fifty per cent of them attend five days a week. "It's a scheduler's nightmare," laughed Cheryl Nuhn, supervisor of the two nurseries. Ms. Nuhn supervises a day ntihsery staff of three full-time Early Childhood Educa- tion graduates and one part-timer with a Developmental Social Work degree. She also has overall responsibility for the Lady Diana Nursery, headed by program super- visor Mary -Lou Murray, plus two teachers, two high school volunteers from the co-op programs in Seaforth and Clinton, and four adult volunteers who come in on a rotating schedule. Ms. Nuhn has her Early Childhood Educa- tion diploma from Fanshawe, and has taken sign -language and other updating courses. She worked at a day care centre in Walker- ton for. 10 years before coming to Tuckersmith three years ago. Her most im- portant qualification is a love of children. About one-third of the children are from Tuckersmith; the rest are from Morris, Stanley, Goderich, Hullett, Clinton, Seaforth, Blyth and other Huron municipalities. DAILY PROGRAM The children are divided into three age groups. Each day a song and story circle and a craft are planned around that day's topic. Making the crafts teaches coordina- tion, and recognition of shapes. The children learn to write their names. The children acquire social skills just by spending supervised time with other children. Cooperative play is encouraged. Ms. Nuhn finds most quarrels are soon resolved without the need for adult interven- tion. If a fight over a toy can not be resolved, the article in dispute is put away for awhile. At least one hour of the free play time is spent outside, weather permitting. Snacks are served in the morning and again in the afternoon, and a nutritious dinner planned and prepared in accordance with Canada's food guide is served each noon. The children then brush their teeth. Younger ones have a nap, while the older children rest before resuming their play. Referring to the daily program with its underlying mix of direct and indirect learn- ing, Ms. Nuhn stated emphatically she is a firm believer in providing an educational environment rather than just a dropoff place. "We are heavy users of the Clinton Public Library. They are very understanding if we temporarily misplace a book," she said, noting the fact that half a person's lifetime of learning is accomplished in the first six' years. The staff must also keep up with the latest in children's TV programs so they know what the children are talking about. The children share their home life, and what they learn elsewhere. In a post -Easter discussion, one child informed Ms. Nuhn that "Jesus is not dead anymore". The loss of a child's father sparked a discussion on death. ' "If we are asked a question, we try to answer. We don't hush up a child. We are leaders in l munici ap day care these children's regular standy-bys, their THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 18, 1988 — 3A emotional support while they are here," she remarked, adding "Children of this age don't know how to lie, and they don't need to - they trust us." WHO PAYS Approximately half of those who have children at the day nursery pay the full fee of $13.50 per day. Receipts are given for tax purposes. Others are charged according to their ability to pay; some are completely sub- sidized. Ms. Nuhn said the latter also make their contribution to the centres; they will bring in a big cake to be shared by everyone, or a box of good used clothing or toys their own children have outgrown. "They do a lot for us," she added. If costs go above the daily fee, 80 per cent of the excess for the subsidized spaces is charged to the governments, and the re- maining 20 per cent is picked up by the spon- soring municipalities. Last year Tuckersmith taxpayers paid $7,266.29 of the $50,205.09 deficit. The provincial subsidy amounted to $39,255 and $3,583 came from other municipalities. There is a waiting list of 18 for the Tuckersmith Day Nursery. All applications for enrolment are passed on to the provin- cial ministry of community and social ser- vices, who also decide on the amount to be paid in each case. LADY DIANA NURSERY The Lady Diana Nursery cares for 12 children who have special, special needs because of such physical handicaps as spina. bifida or cerebral palsy. Some are developmentally handicapped. - struggle to educate the community to the The Lady Diana Nursery is open in the fact the relatively new concept of rural day mornings from 8:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. care was not just babysitting but educe - Children are transported in by bus from as Clonal, and still remembers the continual far away as Dungannon. suppport received from Clerk Jack The Lady Diana program is based on the McLachlan. individual needs of each child. Group ex- "We did a lot of growing, a lot of learning editions P are made to the Vanastra swimm- ing pool, and field trips taken. Every effort is made for close communication between parents and staff. Each child has a daily journal which goes back and forth from school to home, staff members make home visits, and parents receive a monthly newsletter from the nursery. NO BILL TO TAXPAYERS This facility operates at no charge to the municipality. Last year the provincial government contributed $67,080, and the Central Huron Community Living Associa- tion in Goderich paid the remaining $9,728 of the centre's 1987 $76,808 operating costs. REMEMBER EARLY DAYS The first supervisor, Karen McEwan- McConnell, has good memories of her 10 years at Vanastra. She recalls the initial I was young, the idea was young to both the council and the public. I look back at the ex- perience as very positive," she said. Jim McIntosh, who was clerk of Tuckersmith when the centre opened, also remembers the startup fo the day care cen- tre, accomplished despite the objections of a minority who thought all mothers should be in the home. "The children of working families are bet- ter there than anywhere. People whose children are at the centre appreciate the' boost it gives their children when they enter school," he said. The two Tuckersmith centres can point to no better advertisement for child care than their own record. The money to keep children happy and protected in the care of a qualified person is well spent. PLAY NG HOUSE - Justin Phelan, left, and Peter Arts use their imagination during play time at the Tuckersmith Day Nursery. Reynolds photo. Seaforth takes up the BY NEIL CORBETT Seaforth's banking hours are substandard in comparison to its neighboring towns of Mitchell, Clinton and Exeter. Most people know both the Canadian Im- perial Bank of Commerce and the Toronto Dominion branches in Seaforth are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, but stay open until 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Province of Ontario Savings Of- fice is slightly more competitive with 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours Monday to Thurs- day, and hours of 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday. There is no such thing as Saturday openings in Seaforth. READING A STORY to Amanda Bailie is Day Nursery supervisor Mary Lou Murray. Tuckersmith Township offers one of the beat day care centres in the area. Reynolds photo. rear in banking hours kept by In Clinton the Credit Union is open on Fri. a.m., the Commerce opens at 9:30 a.m. and earlier on weekdays. day evenings until 8 p.m., and on every the Bank of Montreal at 10 a.m. Mr. Parker says it will still be three weeks other day of the week from nine to five. The Exeter also has banking conveniences before the questionnaire results are all in Royal Bank and the. Bank of Montreal in Seaforth lacks. and properly analyzed, but he also says ex - Clinton aren't as competitive, but both are The Bank of Montreal, Nova Scotia, Corn- tending hours has not been a major issue at open until 6 p.m. on Fridays, and the Royal merce, and the Credit Union in Exeter are the bank. has 9 a.m. openings Monday through all open until 8 p.m. Friday. The Bank of And it is doubtful there will be Saturday Friday. Montreal is open from 9 a.m. until noon on openings at the T.D. - for economical Mitchell banks outdo those in Seaforth as Saturday. Most Exeter banks open at 10 reasons. Mr. Parker explains it would cost well. The Commerce in Mitchell is open a.m., except the Credit Union which opens about $10,000 per year to have the branch from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. No at 9 a.m. There is also an automatic teller at open on Saturdays, but there isn't revenue bank in Mitchell closes its doors earlier than the Exeter IGA for added convenience. generated to make a profit. 6 p.m. on Friday, and the Bank of Montreal Despite the fact other towns offer their "A lot of the branches that are open Satur- stays open until 8 p.m. The Credit Union and residents longer banking hours, bankers in day are open strictly for convenience bank - the Toronto Dominion are both open at 9 Seaforth generally don't see a problem with ung. It just spreads your work week over six the banking hours as they stand now. days instead of five," says Mr. Parker, ad - Larry Parker, manager of the Toronto ding only in a high traffic area such as a Dominion Bank, points to a survey recently mall is Saturday opening justified. done by the T.D. to show people of Seaforth Revenue is also the reason a banking aren't dissatisfied with service. 500 ques- machine won't be found in Seaforth in the tionnaires were sent out asking T.D. near future. Mr. Parker says he was at one customers how their bank could better serve time investigating putting an instant teller them, and so far 80 questionnaires have in the parking lot at Lyons Market. But he been returned. Of these 80 respondents, only found out it takes 7,500 machine entries per 16 per cent suggested the bank have later month just to break even. Seaforth bankers hours on Thursdays and Fridays. Only couldn't see there being 250 entries into the seven per cent wanted Saturday hours, and machine per day, so the idea was scrapped. only three per cent wanted the bank to open The Ontario Saving's Office has the most area towns competitive banking hours in Seaforth, and manager Keith Harron says he has had no complaints. The savings office is open a half hour earlier than the charter banks through the week and stays open a half hour later on Fridays. "We're competitive with the other banks in town, and it would be hard to extend our hours at this time," says Mr. Hamon. Mr. Harnon says the bottom line at the savings office is he wouldn't have the staff to open longer hours. There are four people at the office including Mr. Hamon, an ac- countant, and two tellers. The employees have contracted for a certain number of hours in their work week, and longer hours would mean overtime. "I'm not saying we couldn't, but we couldn't with the existing staff," says Mr. Hamon. "It's not practical at this time, and at this time we don't see the need for it." Asked if the savings office would extend its hours if the other banks in town did Mr. Hamon replies "we'll worry about that when it happens." Ken Brown, manager of the Commerce, says banking hours are currently under rum to page 16 - PUC waterworks budget lowered in 1988 The 1988 waterworks budget was the order of business at the May meeting of the Seaforth Public Utility Commission. Although it still must be approved by coun- cil, this year the commissioners have budgeted less for capital projects and operating expenditures than they did in 1987. $94,595 has been allocated for operating expenditures for 1988. Last year $95,165 was budgeted. However, the actual amount spent in 1987 was $85,334. The breakdown of the $94,595 is: $22,080 for power and pump- ing, $20,600 for water transmission and distribution, and $51,915 for administration. The capital budget for 1988 amounts to $23,869, compared to a budgeted $26,049 in 1987, and an actual 1987 expenditure of $22,941. Part of the reason for the utility coming in approximately $3,000 under budget last year is it received a credit on the purchase of water main equipment. To spend this $23,869, capital projects this year include $2,500 for wells and installation of a pressure reducing valve at the chalk street well. Work on mains will cost $14,469 for a proposed extension of the six inch watermain on Coleman street -to service va- cant lots and put a loop in the system for future growth and fire protection- and for the proposed exetension of the six inch watermain on Crombie Street, east of Chalk Street to service proposed industrial lots and loop in the system. Meters and hydrants will cost an estimated $3,000 in 1988; services will re- ' quire an additional $2,500 for the purchase of pipe, fittings, and material to upgrade stock; and miscellaneous equipment will cost $1,400, including the purchase of por- table valve locators. Total revenue for 1988 has been projected at $143,316 for billing and flat rate, $6,300 for hydrant rental, and $14,750 for THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY held a plant sale on the weekend, and Florence Elford of Egmondville was one of many customers who went home with an armload of new plants. Corbett photo. miscellaneous. Included in miscellaneous is connection fees $1,200, interest on the cur- rent account $250, rent $2,400, sewer billing $3,900 and interest on reserves $7,000. Total revenue is projected to be $164,366. The revenue not spent in either the capital budget or in operating expenditures has been budgeted for the utility's maintenance reserves and capital reserves. CO-OP STUDENT The Seaforth PUC will soon be taking on a co-op student for one year. Personnel from the electrical program at Central Huron Secondary School contacted the local utility requesting a local boy who attends CHSS be allowed to work there to gain practical experience. At Wednesday's meeting the commission approved taking on a student. The student will work with the utility for four hours in the morning, every second school day for one year. There is no cost to the utility. "There's not a lot of opport' pity to learn electricity in the area, but this is one," said Manager Tom Phillips. "It's good education for them, and we ap- preciate being able to offer the opportunity." RENTAL INCREASE The PUC had its rent raised. A letter from the Town of Seaforth stated at the April 12 meeting of the town council a motion was passed to raise the PUC's rent from $250 per month to $300. One of the commissioners remarked the increase is over the four per cent legal increase guideline. Last year the rent was increased from $200 to $250. COMMUNITY CALENDAR If you're organizing a non-profit event of interest to other Sealorlh area residents. phone the recreation office al 527.0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240, or mail the information to Communi- ty Calendar. The Huron Expositor, Box 69. Seaforth, Ontario, NOK IWO welt in advance of the scheduled date. Space for the Ciommumty Calendar is donated by The Huron Expositor Wed., May 18 9 a.m..- Yoga at Arena 10 a..m • Senior Games: Horseshoes at Arena 1:30 p.m. - Carpet Bowling at Arena 7:30 p.m. - Ladles Industrial Soccer - Optimist Park Thurs., May 19 8:30 a.m. . Fitness is Fun 7:30 p.m. - Topnotch vs. Team Maul 8:30 p.m. • Seahawks vs. Bollersmith 9:30 p.m. - Brewers vs. Beachwood Fri., May 20 1:30 p.m. - Senior Games: Tennis at High School Tues., May 24 8:30 a.m. - Fitness is Fun Wed., May 25 9 a.m. • Yoga at Arena 10:30 a.m. • Senior Games: Golf at Golf Course 1.30 ;r m. - Grey -Bruce Huron Post -Polio Chapter of the March of Dimes meeting at Hanover Coliseum. All Welcome 7:30 p.m. - Ladies industrial Soccer at Optimist Park