Hyland Centre Child Care hosting 30th anniversary reunion tonight

Written By MARNI WALSH

Hyland Centre Child Care, located at 200 Fourth Avenue in Hyland Heights Elementary School in Shelburne, is celebrating their 30th anniversary this month with a reunion.  

Shelburne Town Coun. Lindsay Wegener stopped by the Centre last week to mark the milestone celebration of its September, 1989 opening.     

Kristin Murdoch, the Supervisor of Hyland Centre Child Care, says the Centre will be hosting a 30th reunion tonight, starting at 6 p.m. 

She says, “All past families and friends are welcome to join in the celebrations, to meet, reminisce and enjoy light snacks and refreshments. The night will provide an opportunity to catch up with past and current staff.” 

Hyland Centre Child Care is a non-profit, licensed centre for children from 15 months  to 12 years of age. The Centre is the Third Party Operator of Extended Day programs at Hyland Heights Elementary School.  

The Centre offers a toddler, preschool and before and after school care for Hyland Heights with the motto, “We are in the business of helping children to grow.”

Although the Centre has been in the same location for thirty years, there have been many changes. 

“We started with 2 rooms (junior and senior,) and we now have a toddler room, preschool room and two school-age rooms,” says Kristen Murdoch.

Renovations over the last 30 years, included adding a climber tour playground with rubber surface, as well as a concrete bike bath.

“When the Centre opened, there were only 36 children and now that number has nearly doubled to 66 children, toddler, preschool, and before and after school,” says Kristin Murdoch. 

She says the Centre started with only five educators and now employs thirteen. 

“All staff are required to continue to attend professional development, attending workshops to maintain current in the field,” Ms. Murdoch told the Free Press. Our registered early childhood educators (RECE) all attend two year diploma programs at an Ontario College.”

Photos from the past 30 years will be on display at the September 12 celebrations and will no doubt be the centre of fun and fond memories. 

Hyland Centre Child Care strives to provide the “best possible program” and to offer “flexible care.” The Centre is open year-round from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday. For more information call: 519 925 5690 or email:  hylandcentre@gmail.com.