The issue of finding fun and educational activities to keep children preoccupied is a constant one for parents, but fortunately, a new childhood centre may help eliminate that problem.
Tricia Bedore is currently working on renovating the former Doukhobor Prayer Home at 726 Main Street in Canora to be used as a daycare, but until construction is complete, Rising Stars Childhood Centre will be holding day camps starting July 4.
Bedore originally moved from British Columbia to Canora in 2009. She’s had jobs in retail before she began a nanny service and daycare from her home. Now, she hopes to create a new location in order to help parents struggling to find options for child care in the Canora area.
The day camps will focus on being educational and fun days of activities for children, all revolving around different themes, such as Christmas in July, Hawaii, and Heroes, which she is hoping to contact police and paramedics about so children can meet everyday heroes in the community. The theme she is most excited about is Upcycling, which is a concept where old things are used in crafts and projects to remake new things, and Bedore is already collecting CDs to use in a project to decorate the childhood centre’s fence.
Bedore, known as ‘Goofy Grandma’ to the children she cares for, says she likes giving children the ability to make goals and learn in a fun way, but that the most rewarding part of child care for her is knowing that her work helps shape children for the future. She used to work with air cadets, and still receives messages and wedding invitations from the teenagers she worked with. The daycare is an opportunity for her to see the children in the community grow and succeed, and she says that when children she teaches receive awards, she is just as happy for them as the family may be.
Bedore emphasizes that her daycare service is for parents in farm and casual work, as her services will not charge by the day but by the hour. Bedore is hoping to employ people in the area for Rising Stars, and is also hoping to offer volunteer work for students who need experience.
Bedore lives with her husband, Eric Sweeney, who is a volunteer firefighter in Canora, and has four children as well as two grandchildren. Her family is involved in soccer, curling, and volunteer work for the fire brigade.
Rising Stars Childhood Centre will provide education and care for children ages three to 10, and regular daycare services will begin once renovations are complete in August.
