Celebrating child care

University Children's Centre director wins award

Margo Kirk, executive director of the University Children’s Centre on campus, takes great pride in her work, and that of her staff, in supporting the growth and education of the children who make their way through the centre’s halls.

This week, her work was celebrated as she received the 2012 Early Childhood Learning and Care Award of Excellence for Practice, presented at the Nova Scotia Child Care Conference.

The award is given to a child care practitioner working in Nova Scotia who consistently demonstrates best practices in the care of young children and an outstanding dedication to the children they care for, and to the early childhood learning and care field.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” says Ms. Kirk, who has worked in the early learning and child care field for 32 years. “That the nomination came from my staff… that’s so special, to know that you have that kind of respect and appreciation.”

And she quickly turns towards giving her staff a good deal of the credit.

“We work as a team,” she says. “We know each other and work well together, with understanding and commitment, and that’s where our shared respect comes from.”

The University Children’s Centre has two locations on campus (on South Street and in the Life Sciences Centre). Supported by Dalhousie through a lease and service contract, the centre is an independent entity that teaches and cares for 100 children in two locations

Peter Green Hall Children's Centre marks 45 years

When you enter Peter Green Hall, located on Wellington Street in Halifax’s South End, you’ll see a display of colourful, exciting artwork from the children who’ve been part of the building’s child care facility over the years.

First opened in 1967, the Peter Green Hall Children’s Centre was the original location of the University Children’s Centre.

“We were one of the first non-profit child care centres in Nova Scotia, and the first as part of a student residence in Atlantic Canada,” says Barb Bigelow, the centre’s executive director.

Today, while the Peter Green Hall building is Dalhousie-owned, the centre operates independently (the residence space is leased to the Halifax Student Housing Society). The children’s centre supports 91 children from four months to 10 years of age, and prides itself on playing a leadership role in utilizing emergent curriculum in its child care.

On Saturday, June 23, the centre will celebrate 45 years of supporting Halifax children and families with a gala event at the World Trade and Convention Centre, titled “In Bloom.”

“We wanted to celebrate the impact we’ve had on the lives of hundreds and hundreds of children and families over the years,” says Ms. Bigelow.

The event will showcase the artwork of the children who have come through the centre over the years, as well as a silent auction and live music from the Steve Dooks Band. The event’s MC will be Gregor Ash, the former executive director of the Atlantic Film Festival, whose own children are alumni of the centre.

Tickets are $62.50 each or $380 for a table of eight. For more information, visit http://www.inbloom2012.ca/