The newly opened Humboldt Early Years Family Resource Centre displays a marvel of toys, shapes, unique and inviting furnishings, books and rooms to accommodate a wide range of family activities. The Centre is a joint project of the Horizon School Division and Partners Family Services with its independent board geared to serving the needs of youngsters and their families in early learning and developmental support. The high contrast, monochrome displays on the walls draw the eye and stimulate young imaginations with activities and experiences awaiting young learners. 

During the opening proceedings for the centre on March 3, Katherine Oviatt, superintendent of learning for the Horizon School Division provided a visual and conceptual tour of the facility. Oviatt explains the colour symbolism of the logo which honoured early learning and Indigenous families, parenting education and blending atypical families, family wellness and commitment to immigrant families, and commitment to supportive referrals. 

“Throughout the centre, everything has been selected with a deliberate purposefulness to be inclusive of all children from infancy to 60 months of age, and to support the developmental growth in the areas of fine motor, communication, gross motor, problem solving, and personal social development through a play based environment,” Oviatt explained.

The east wall is adorned with a welcome in a variety of languages, indicative of the immigrant families who have settled in Humboldt and area. Next to it in bold lettering is a land acknowledgement with messaging “Mother Earth” in Cree syllabics created by the Division’s Amanda Moosemay. 

A myriad of toys, manipulatives, and shaped wonders are cleverly housed in small cabinets under a stylized tree adorning the south wall. All of the goodies are there for imaginative play, but also to encourage development of communication, and fine and gross motor skills, with the help of trained personnel who guide the activities. Parents are invited to participate as they see modelling for creative play with infants and young children all in aid of their development. A pre-school area for older children has specially designed equipment for their play and engagement. 

“We also utilize the space for more structured programs that we may offer that we bring in from outside agencies such as art therapy and music therapy and other programs that are offered by community partners,” explained Oviatt. The space becomes a resource collection and gathering place for many community partners to share their expertise with children and parents. 

At the far end of the facility is a quiet room to allow for children’s self-regulation away from the bustle happening in the rest of the centre. An adjoining kitchen and refreshment centre provides space for nourishing snacks to be prepared and a space for parents or visitors to gather and share. 

“Of course there’s always a connection to emerging literacy throughout all of our centres.” Books are strategically placed throughout the main room to engage young reading explorers to help in developing reading and decoding skills. 

An indoor play structure is soon to arrive which will be housed in a distinct area. Once spring weather arrives, Oviatt says that work will begin on a treed outdoor play space which will be fenced off for safety. That space will provide an alternative environment to engage with nature. 

The centre should be open to welcome families by March 21. The idea is to give parents and children a place to gain a strong foothold in early learning, thereby greatly increasing chances for success and strong development in their early school years.