Rankin Inlet moms take action to open Nunavut's newest daycare
‘For Nunavummiut to pursue post secondary education, they need quality and reliable child care’
It was when Sandi Vincent decided she wanted to pursue post-secondary education that she noticed a huge gap in her community.
"I couldn't find daycare for my children and I was starting school," said Vincent.
She wasn't alone.
"Some friends of mine also had the same problem. And we started out thinking we would maybe get a nanny and share a nanny, and then it grew bigger," said Vincent.
Eventually, the group got so big that Vincent and four others decided there needed to be another daycare in Rankin Inlet.
The idea started two years ago, and Monday is the official opening of the Ivvavik daycare.
It wasn't easy. First, they had to register as a society so the Ivvavik Society was born. Next, they had to get approval through the Government of Nunavut's legal registries. Meanwhile, they were looking for a space that could accommodate the service, as well as getting a business license to operate. All the while making sure the society followed territorial acts, rules and regulations.
The Ivvavik daycare will employ more than a dozen people: an executive director, six full-time and four part-time staff and they are looking to hire casual workers.
Last week, the daycare gave first dibs to students at Nunavut Arctic College.
"They are our first priorities," said Vincent.
"For Nunavummiut to pursue post-secondary education, they need quality and reliable childcare," she said. "That's been my biggest struggle trying to get my diploma."
Vincent said there were several groups and people who supported the women in the process.
"People think there needs to be more daycares and it's possible if you find a dedicated group to work on it and open one."
With files from Toby Otak