Regina Early Learning Centre still adapting to community's needs after 40 years

It started with one woman, a handful of volunteers and a small house; now it's a fully functioning pre-school with 40 years of experience. 

The Regina Early Learning Centre is turning 40 years old this month.

The centre started in 1977 with a kindergarten teacher going door to door in North Central looking for parents to help her set up a pre-school. It now has over 25 volunteers and employees and 96 students.    

"When my kids first started it was just a tiny little house. You couldn't do much programming in that little place, " said Lynda Pelletier, who has been with the centre since the beginning. "It's changed completely from that little house for the better."

The centre prepares kids for kindergarten using education, play, family support and extra attention for those in need.   

Pelletier said her favourite part of the centre is the teachers.

"They just know how to click with the kids and communicate and get their attention. It's just amazing," she said, adding that the teachers assess the children for special assistance. Her own grandkids, for instance, have benefited from speech therapy.

Collaboration with parents is key

Mary Ann McGrath, the centre's executive director, emphasizes the importance of effective programming, a respectful environment and working with parents.  

"There's a belief in the importance of the first years of life and the importance of parents in their children's lives," said McGrath.

"From that comes a real value on respecting. So, with the children we talk about respecting themselves, and respecting the children around them, and respecting the world around us." 

McGrath also said it's important to identify every family's strengths, even if they're in crisis. She said recent centre changes include home outreach programs, which involve visits with parents and working with them to nourish their children's development. 

Even after 40 years, McGrath said the centre is still learning and adapting. 

"I hope that we will continue to learn and grow and respond to the community," she said.

"With a lot of immigration to Regina, we have a growing number of newcomer families and we are learning new ways to connect with those families, and support them, and help them negotiate some of the challenges of maintaining their original culture and also becoming a part of Regina community."