Parents and kids cut the ribbon at the Tisdale Early Years Family Resource Centre. (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Early Years Family Resource Centre

Tisdale Early Learning celebrates grand opening

Jun 18, 2024 | 8:53 AM

A big step in young childhood education within the northeast officially celebrated its grand opening, Monday afternoon.

The Tisdale and Area Early Years Family Resource Centre (TAEYFRC) had dignitaries, education workers, parents and children all in attendance, to commemorate a project over two years in the making.

“We needed a place where people could gather that was also resourceful in the material and in the people that worked there. It’s working together with the family instead of to the family that I think is the key,” explained North East School Division early learning coordinator and project lead, Reanne Usselman.

“It really takes a village to raise a child and the community stepped forward, they were very committed and motivated. I think just that awareness of the importance of early intervention for our youth is making a difference in our future. We hope that our families will see the benefits of this and find the connections they need.”

The building for the TAEYFRC was purchased by the school division in April of 2023, with renovations beginning in January of this year.

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(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW Staff)

The centre then officially opened at the end of May, as parents and children have been able to use it since.

“There was a need in the community that was showing from some of the results of data that we were collecting at the school division. It was recurring that the students and children needed support, they were entering school not exactly ready to learn,” added Usselman.

“The four pillars of the centre are helping the children’s development, family/parent education, family wellness/health and wellness of the child, and then making referrals if families need support.”

One of the mothers who has already been taking advantage of the space is Meaghan Lam Ma and her daughter Reese.

For Lam Ma, the most important aspect of the centre is socialization, which both she and her daughter are receiving.

(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW Staff)

“It’s a warm and welcoming place where parents and caregivers can come together and talk about the triumphs and tribulations of parenthood, as well as just engage in everyday conversations. Many stories have been shared, many questions answered, lots of advice given, and just friendships created along the way,” she told northeastNOW.

“Then, our kids are playing and developing their own friendships also. When kids go to school later on, they’re going to know kids and it’s just going to create a whole sense of community. I look forward to what this center will do for me, my daughter, my family and the community for years to come.”

Families with children up to age six can access a range of services including positive parenting programs, literacy opportunities and support for children’s development.

The centres are led by local management committees that represent a broad mix of government, community-based service providers and organizations who make decisions about specific programs and services based on localized needs.

In 2024-25, annual funding for all Early Years Family Resource Centres in Saskatchewan will total $8 million. Funding is provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

To date, Saskatchewan families have access to 21 Early Years FRCs across the province with locations in the Battlefords, Estevan, Humboldt, Île-à-la-Crosse, Kindersley, La Ronge, Martensville-Warman, Meadow Lake, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, Lloydminster, Prince Albert, two centres in Regina, Sandy Bay, two centres in Saskatoon, Swift Current, Tisdale, Weyburn and Yorkton.

The TAEYFRC has a couple of more phases it still hopes to complete, which will include a focus on outdoor spaces.

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