Children’s Laugh and Learn Daycare recently underwent a series of renovations to prepare for the upcoming school year.

The centre had to revitalize their programming as full-day kindergarten programs merge into the county. The centre will now offer programming for children ages two to five.

“We’ll see less school-aged children,” said Jenn VanDeVelde, board president of Children’s Laugh and Learn Daycare.

In the past, the centre has had several children attend part-time when they were not in school. However, this September Delhi Public School will offer its first full-day kindergarten class.

There have been several changes done to the building to accommodate younger children.

“We’re in the middle of renovations,” said VanDeVelde. “Everything is fresh. It’s very exciting.”

There has been a change table and sink added to the bathroom, new flooring throughout the centre and some structural renovations to the building, all of which were completed by Rooster’s Renos.

After the interior renovations are completed the centre will turn its focus outside. The old sand will be replaced by clean sod and a new piece of outdoor play equipment will be purchased.

Crompton Home Building Center helped provide some of the materials with other assistance coming by donations from local businesses and community groups.

“Many community groups have helped in many ways,” said VanDeVelde.

TD Canada Trust, Bill Yu, owner of Yin’s in Waterford, VandenBussche Irrigation, The Norfolk Community Foundation, Jansen Landscaping, the Delhi Kinsmen and the Rotary Club of Delhi have all made contributions to the project.

“We definitely want to thank all our donors,” said VanDeVelde.

In February, the centre was worried they would face such a drastic enrolment decline it would force them to close, but with the renovated accommodations and programming they have opened up their services to be more attractive to new clientele.

The centre has been closed for two weeks to allow for renovations and will reopen on July 23.

“We will be running programs during the summer and we encourage parents to call now for September programs,” said VanDeVelde.

The centre will also be hosting a before and after school program at Delhi Public School.

For more information of the centre’s programs call 519-582-2647.

Sarah Doktor

519-426-3528 ext. 112

sarah.doktor@sunmedia.ca

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