By Kerstein Mallon
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE—Maawdoo Maajaamin Child Care hosted their grand opening on October 5, 2022 at Hagersville Secondary School.
Everyone was excited about the long-awaited opening. It is Grand Erie’s first Indigenous-led childcare centre. Community partners, including Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB), and Health and Social Services of Haldimand Norfolk, worked together and invested time, energy, and expertise to make Maawdoo Maajaamin Child Care become a reality.
The daycare’s playground.
The collaboration started in 2018, but the project faced construction delays during the pandemic.
The general scope of the project renovated an existing space at Hagersville Secondary School, creating a childcare program with space for 10 infants, 15 toddlers, and 24 preschoolers.
JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education at GEDSB said, “There is a natural partnership between schools and childcare centres, but I feel the partnership behind this facility is a special one. Working with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, which leases and operates the space, Health and Social Services Haldimand Norfolk, and the Ministry of Education meant we could best respond to the needs in this community and provide a welcoming, inspiring environment for children to explore, build independence, and have the best start possible.”
“And as an added bonus to their great achievement, students from the high school can also participate in their co-op studies for early childhood education through the daycare,” continued Roberto. “Everyone in attendance was there to celebrate these partnerships and accomplishments. There was a strong theme of collaboration and promise for a bright future for children and supporting their learning in the years ahead.”
