Building Blocks Holding Street Fair
“We’re a lot more than a glorified babysitter. We are actually an early learning facility,” Lynn Weiers executive director of Building Blocks Child Development Inc told MJ Independent.
And it’s just one of the themes the child care facility is willing to discuss this Tuesday as Building Blocks is holding a block party to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
From 4pm to 7pm Building Blocks on October 3rd Building Blocks Child Development Inc - located at 812 Fairford Street East - is closing down the block for the festivities.
“The street will be a walking street…it’s being done for safety.”
“It’s a big milestone,” she said about the facility’s 20th anniversary celebration.
As part of the event there will be face painting, bouncy castles as well as three food trucks - Lemon Heaven, Taco Time and Blue Angel Donut Company (mini donuts) - will be on location.
They will also be a penny parade.
“We want our community to just come out have some fun,” Weiers said adding she is willing to talk about early childhood education as well.
“It’s getting the message out what we do and the programs we offer…it’s nice for people to come out and ask questions about childcare in a more casual and fun atmosphere.”
Weiers said a big message to get out is that “Early Childhood Education is more important than most people think it is.”
At Building Blocks children are “not babysat” but rather such activities such as a tower garden or going to Pioneer Lodge on a monthly basis “to meet grandmas” and heading off to the gym (Grit Training) once a month are designed to grow young minds and bodies.
Building Blocks opens at 6:30 am and closes at 5:30 pm.
The children are provided with a free morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack.
And it’s not just parents she is willing to speak to but she would also like to speak with people interested in early childhood education.
“I feel it is important to recognize what Early Childhood Educators do and the career you can have with children.”
Weires said she is especially interested in speaking to high school students about the profession or even working at Building Blocks after classes.
Asked about the changes to childcare - with $10 government subsidized childcare for those children six and under - Weiers said it has filled the facility.
At the present time the childcare facility’s licensed 52 spots is filled with 125 families presently on a waiting list.
Childcare is important in today’s economy. With the subsidies playing a big part in allowing people to go back to work, she said.
“It’s easier to go out and get back into the workforce,” she said.
As a local daycare Building Blocks has been helped out and supports local businesses.
For the 20th anniversary Minute Man Press developed a new sign, Ripley’s Prints has produced a special t-shirt and the Moose Jaw Co-op is supplying the anniversary cake.
Weiers said Building Blocks has a philosophy of supporting local businesses and tries to purchase and support local.
She said there were many local suppliers she had a hard time remembering when interviewed - Weiers was just recovering from being I’ll - but one supplier that stuck out for her was Fellinger’s Meats.