By Spencer Sterritt

24 free daycare spaces open to help Indigenous families succeed

Mar 7, 2019 | 1:44 PM

NANAIMO — Local Indigenous children will have stronger legs to stand on during their long journey towards graduation.

The Munu Learning Centre, located in the Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island building on Fifth St., officially opened on Thursday. What was previously office space used by the Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre now has play equipment, learning spaces and a full kitchen.

There’s room for up to 24 Indigenous children ages three-to-five.

Coordinator Amanda Rossiter said the Munu Learning Centre provides valuable and desperately needed daycare space but isn’t limited to just helping the children.

“It’s a community programs for the urban Indigenous community,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW after the opening celebration. “We’ll support families and get them what they need.”

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Supports include assistance with work and school for families and any other programs they’re taking part in.

The new child care spaces were created with the Aboriginal Head Start Association of B.C. in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club and the Mid-Island Metis Nation Association.

Head Start is a program which aims to provide support for the entire family and provide opportunities which might not otherwise have existed.

Association executive director Joan Gignac told NanaimoNewsNOW the spaces will “create a safe hub of learning and growing together.”

“It’s not just the 24 people here at the Munu Learning Centre. It’s their families, their neighbourhoods, the community they’re in. It will reach many more than the 24.”

Association president Leila Aubichon said the daycare spaces will fill a desperately needed gap.

“Some of our families have maybe five, six, seven children and it’s hard to find quality care. It means a lot to me to see our families be able to grow and be part of life in a big way.”

Space is still available but is expected to be quickly filled.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit