A helping hand for parents
Updated 2 months ago
Megan Kyle photo - Moms Chantelle Dorchak and Nicole Robinson enjoy some time with their kids and some adult time as well at the Kidz 1st Network Parent Link Centre in Strathmore Monday morning.
Megan Kyle |
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Megan Kyle
Standard Intern
Through information and education, the Kidz 1st Network Parent Link Center in the Country Lane Plaza in Strathmore is ensuring kids get a good start.
"Our mandate is to promote family wellness and positive parent-child relationships," Strathmore Team Leader Jeanette Mackay says.
The Kidz 1st Parent Link Center is funded by the Alberta government so the programs offered to parents and caregivers of children up to 6 years of age in the South East Rockyview and Wheatland county areas are free. The center is part of the Alberta Children's Services Network which helps give parents flexibility to choose the early childhood development and child care services that best meets their child's needs.
The Parent Link Centre provides parents, caregivers and their children with supports to ensure children come to school ready to learn and gives parents access to the supports needed to help their children develop.
"We help assess your child and target specific needs so that he or she can reach their full potential," Mackay says. "Developmental issues tend to get overlooked and age zero to six is the most crucial time."
Parents can access information about community services, obtain referrals, and meet other parents, children, and families, while taking part in quality learning activities.
The program began in 2007 in Chestermere and has since expanded to include a Strathmore office. At first glance, it appears to be a daycare with a fully stocked and colourful playroom but MacKay says that is not what the Parent Link Center is all about.
"Parents do not drop off their children here and then leave," MacKay says. "All of our programs are geared towards the child and parent working, playing and learning together."
Besides being involved with the programs and their children, parents can also volunteer at either center. The center offers children's books and parent resource lending libraries, and clothing and toy exchanges.
For parents who are interested in the center but can't make it to either location, the network offers satellite programs in 10 smaller locations including Standard, Rosebud and Gleichen.
"We have quite a good relationship with the small towns," MacKay said. "We used to rent space to operate our satellite programs out of, but now most of the space is just donated to us."
A playgroup meets at Cluny hall Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Strathmore center the network offers a Twins and Triplets program, a drop-in program designed to allow parents of multiples to meet and share their experiences.
Programs at the Strathmore, Chestermere and satellite locations fill up fast and often have waiting lists.
