The Government of Saskatchewan has announced funding for the creation of a new early years family resource centres in Estevan.
A new centre will also open in Humboldt.
Funding is being provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The total allocation is $430,000 in startup funding with $215,000 going to each centre.
"Our government is pleased to support families across Saskatchewan with record investments in early childhood education and childcare," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. "These resource centres will go a long way toward supporting new parents as they balance this new role with the rest of their busy lives."
The new centres will be developed through community partnerships led by the South East Cornerstone School Division and the Horizon School Division. The divisions will be responsible for leading a community planning team that will develop the local centres, which are planned for opening in the fall of 2021.
"We know families in Horizon School Division and the community of Humboldt will see a great benefit from the supports and opportunities made available by this Early Years Family Resource Centre," Horizon School Division director of education Kevin C. Garinger said. "We look very forward to welcoming children and families to this space to learn, grow and play."
"We are thrilled with the announcement today that the community of Estevan will receive programming and additional supports," South East Cornerstone Public School Division director of education Lynn Little said.
"We are also excited to work in coordination and collaboration with existing partners in the community. The family resource centre funding will complement existing services and build networks and linkages, and advocate for policies, services and systems that support families' abilities to raise healthy children."
Early Years Family Resource Centres offer a range of drop-in and scheduled programming for all families with young children aged zero to five including activities for babies and toddlers, access to information and professionals and support groups where parents can share their experiences with others and seek advice.
The communities were selected following analysis based on a combination of population, vulnerability and community readiness required to successfully develop and operate a centre.
