Our History
The Amherst Daycare was incorporated on May 3rd, 1977. It was originally located in the AME Church on Poplar St.
The Board
The Bright Beginnings Child care Centre is a non-profit charitable organization. It is governed by a Board of Directors who are all volunteers. Members of the Board of Directors are recruited from the community at large and the parents of the Centre. The Board of Directors are responsible for making the policies that are used in the day to day operations of the Centre. An Executive Director is hired by the Board of Directors to oversee the day to day running of the Centre.
- - Board Chair…. Laurie Cox
- - Vice Chair…… Tenique Knowlton
- - Treasurer…. Charlotte Ferguson
- - Director….. Susie Hicks Gordon
- - Director….. Dale MacDougall
- - Director….. Alisha Landry
- - Director….. Tiffanie Langille
- - Executive Director – Patsy Bennett
- - Assistant Director – Mary Porter
A Few Words About Us
Bright Beginnings Child Care Centre is a non-profit, full day, early education program for young children ages 18 months to 10 years. We offer a theme based, interactive and creative program to support the development of the early years and to enhance the learning and welfare of young children. Our centre supports families within the Cumberland County area, allowing parents to attend training institutions; extend their education; and to seek employment within the work force, thus raising the level of economy for our county. Our child care centre is fully inclusive and supports diversity. We provide extra services for children who have been diagnosed with special needs.
The Centre itself is staffed by an Executive Director and the required number of staff needed to meet the operational needs of the Centre. Licensing requires that the Executive Director and staff have completed training in a recognized Early Childhood Education Program or its equivalency. Staff are required to maintain a current First Aid and CPR certificate. All staff are required to have a Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry.
Child Care Inclusion Policy
Bright Beginnings Child Care Centre welcomes all children into our Centre, as they come to us or as referred to us. We seek to provide a warm, nurturing environment where all children may thrive. We take all children we are able to accommodate.
We include developmentally and age appropriate programs, well-educated and competent staff members and the flexibility to adapt to each child’s need. Each child is included within his/her age group and is able to participate in all activities.
We offer the same hours of operation for every child. If a support teacher is needed, his/her hours of employment are adapted to suit the needs of the child. We fully encourage parental in-put and keep in close contact with parents regarding their child’s day.
We are open to outside agencies (Early Intervention, Mental Health, Hearing & Speech etc.) Their expertise in helping us set up and implement programs where children will thrive, is considered to be of great benefit to us as Child Care Providers.
We have witnessed the benefits of encouraging all children to be included. We see children helping each other, children who anticipate the needs of others in their groups, and older children bonding with younger children. This environment is good for all children as it teaches the life lessons of acceptance and diversity.