East Preston Day Care celebrates 50th anniversary

Dozens of kids, families, staff and community members gathered on Saturday afternoon to markthe 50th anniversary of the East Preston Day Care.

There was a bouncy castle, rock climbing, balloon animals and even a parade of dump trucks driven by former students.

Executive director Trina Fraser has been with the daycare for 26 years. Fraser said that being able to offer child care within the community for so long means the world to so many people.

"No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, I think we're pretty good at making everybody feel welcome when you come to the East Preston Day Care, you become part of a family," said Fraser.

The organization's main centre on Highway 7 is one of four locations. Fraser said a proposed fifth location isin the works.

More than 200 kids attend the daycare and over 300 families are on the waitlist for a spot, according to Ranae Brooks, the inclusion co-ordinator.

"The need is out there," said Brooks. "We're so proud that the community, and outside of the community, puts their trust in us to watch over their kids while they are out working, making a living for their families."

Fraser said she often meets former students who say the daycare played a role in shaping who they are today.

That's certainly the case for Marina Brooks.

She attended the centre when she was just three or four. Many years later, her son went there, too.

She now works at the daycare's Mainstreet location as an early childhood educator.

"Hopefully, I will be here for a long time," Marina said.

Fraser said she stresses how influential the daycare staff are to the children.

She said she always tells staff that "the children we take care of today are going to one day be our doctors, our lawyers, our nurses, our councillors,'" she said.

"I think I'm safe to say, if I end up in a senior citizens' complex and any of my former students see me there, they'll take good care of me."

In addition to child care, the East Preston Day Care also consists of the East Preston Family Resource Centre, which started 31 years ago.

The resource centre offers many services like a food cupboard, prenatal and post-natal classes, a youth outreach program and parenting workshops.

"We're truly blessed to have what we have here in East Preston," said Fraser. "And our growth will continue."

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