Improvements continue at Queens daycare

“We’re going to be doing a fair bit of landscaping in our playground, adding grass and pathways and a little hill for sliding in the winter,” said Queens Daycare Association chair, Donna Dexter.

This is part of the Department of Community Services’ 10-year Early Learning and Childcare Plan.

They plan to build a shade pergola and a wheelchair ramp as well.

“Those steps are treacherous for little kids,” she commented.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing our playground become a really creative and comfortable place for our children to play,” said Dexter.

The daycare heard more good news during the first week of April.

They have acquired a $7,500 program enhancement grant to purchase new furniture, toys and other items to enhance the quality of programming at the day care, she said.

Also in January, a $7,000 renovation and repair grant allowed them to complete renovations.

New tile flooring was installed plus new lighting and storage cupboards.

It has been a huge benefit to the atmosphere, she declared.

“We’re just so excited by it,” she said. “About two years ago when our daycare closed we had learned that there would be money coming to improve child care in Nova Scotia and that was one of the reasons we said our daycare cannot be closed because we would miss out on these opportunities.”

The Queens Daycare Association has applied for a second renovation and repair grant.

Dexter said it is a “big job” for the volunteers on the board to apply for grants and deal with the details, but the results are wonderful.