Our Little Story
OPENING DAY
In 1976, the Windsor Day Care first opened its doors in the basement of the Oddfellows Building on King Street in Windsor.
NONPROFIT STATUS
On February 2, 1976, the Windsor Day Care Society registered as a nonprofit society.
TWO YEARS LATER
In 1978, the teachers and children moved to the former Glad Tidings Tabernacle Church, which had been converted into two main levels as well as a private side residence.
The basement housed the Coordinator’s office and nutritional prep area and kitchen, as well as a large area for older children to gather and play. The main level was wide and open (the former congregation), a small stage, and several interconnected rooms, and was where the toddler and preschool children gathered.
The Windsor Day Care operated from this location for 34 years.
57 LITTLE PEOPLE
When the new facility was being built in 2012, there were about 57 children registered at this location and many more waiting on a list for childcare.
NEW FACILITIES OPENED
Image: Chronicle Herald.
Beginning around 2008, the daycare staff and board had a vision of a new, custom-built facility that could better serve the community and provide more families with necessary childcare.
After many years of fundraising and hard work, on May 1, 2012, workers from Avondale Construction broke ground at the new Victoria Street property behind the Windsor Regional Library. In October of that year, we opened the doors of our new Centre and 80 children.
80 LITTLE PEOPLE
Our new facility is licensed for up to 80 children per day in a beautiful daycare centre. We can now offer infant programming, and with the addition of our part-day programs we often have upwards of 120 children registered.
18+ TEACHERS
Nearly all of our staff are either registered Early Childhood Educators or are working on their certifications. We have 14 full-time staff, including a full-time nutritional planner, and several casual or part-time Educators.
CALL FOR STORIES
Were you a daycare family? Any community organization serving for over forty years amasses an incredible amount of history. We are gradually compiling stories and anecdotes about our Centre, which has supported thousands of local families over the years. If you have an anecdote, photo or story, we’d love for you to share it with us. Please drop by the daycare, or send them along to our web manager here with our thanks!
HISTORY OF DIRECTORS
We are proud to showcase our Directors, who are so critical to the success of our nonprofit organization:
Heather Cochrane
Executive Director 2015 – present
Sue Spencer
Assistant Director 2016 – present
Former Directors
Amie DeLeavey, 2014-2015
Patricia Post, 1990-2014
Gail Bowes, ? – 1990
Jeannie (Chambers) McDonald, 1976 – ?
WHY WE’RE GREAT
WHAT PARENTS SAY
“So happy my lil one attends
Such a great place to learn and laugh
Wela’lioq/ Thank you to the Centre and all the staff”
“the windsor day care is an amazing place u r not just sending your kids to a day care its a family the staff treat the kids like there own n love n care for thim as a family would just stop in and u will see what a great place this is with amazing staff.”
“The Windsor Day Care provided both my children with exceptional care. Over the years I was happy to become involved with the daycare at its board level, and during my time there worked with an excellent group of volunteers and staff. Both my children and I learned a lot over those years, and I’m grateful to the dedication and nurturing staff for their never-ending efforts.”
OUR SPONSORS
LET’S TALK
Are you in need of childcare? Please give us a call or email. Subsidized spaces may be available.