BOYLE – The first steps toward having a daycare in the Village of Boyle have been taken, with councillors agreeing to provide a general letter of support pointing out the need for licensed and subsidized childcare in the community and the benefits that would bring for residents.
At their Feb. 17 meeting, councillors agreed to provide the letter after a request from a Lac La Biche daycare operator who is interested in expanding to Boyle, with the help of a government grant.
“My plan is to open a licensed childcare centre with 30 spaces for care during the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the ability to provide extended hours until 8 p.m. for those who work shift work or travel out of the area for work,” wrote It’s All About Play Family Centre director Shauna Hannin in her letter to council, which also pointed out her proposal is dependent on the purchase of land and whether the business would remain sustainable.
“The government has offered licensed childcare providers the opportunity to submit grant requests for some of the start-up cost to create new daycare spaces and overnight spaces, especially in areas they consider childcare deserts, which Boyle is, as it has no licensed childcare.”
Coun. Shelby Kiteley said she has spoken to Hannin and pointed out a couple of available properties that may be appropriate for the facility. She also said she was in contact with another interested party from Edmonton who was looking to take advantage of the same government grant.
“There's additional funding out there right now for supporting day homes and that kind of thing, in regard to frontline workers,” said Coun. Barb Smith. “There's a lot of money out there to get this up and I think that's what's generating a lot of the interest, so I think it’s a good idea.”
Mayor Colin Derko said there was little doubt the village could use a daycare, but he expressed some concern about getting behind an individual proposal, and suggested a more generic letter of support that could be attached to any other proposals that may happen to come in.
“I think there's a need in our community, we've talked about it before, so I think we don't need to discuss that part of it,” he said.
“Especially one that can provide subsidies,” noted Kiteley. “You have to make a good wage to be able to pay a private day home.”
“I think we could do just a straight letter that just says that we recognize that there's a need for it in the community, we're lacking that within the community, and we're open to supporting any venture that is willing to come in following provincial guidelines,” said Smith.
