ELORA – The Elora Preschool is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, a milestone that’s rare for any business and perhaps even more rare for a childcare centre.
And the centre hasn’t changed that much, said teacher/supervisor Nancy Vink, who has been with the centre for 15 years.
“There’s been no huge change,” Vink said in a phone interview.
“It started from a need for a safe space for children to socialize and a place where parents could connect as well. Those needs haven’t changed.”
Elora’s much decorated foodie, author and gastronomist Anita Stewart, who died in 2021, was one of the founders of the preschool, and she famously found her career path after being involved in compiling a cookbook as a fundraiser for the preschool.
Elora Preschool is less of a drop-in kind of centre now and more a daycare centre, Vink said, although parents still help out and sit on the board.
“Over time, there is less volunteering day-to-day, but we are still very much a co-operative preschool,” Vink said. “Parents still do their part.”
She noted that over the years she’s observed some of the children becoming life-long friends, and some of the parents, too.
“We watched the last round of Grade 8 grads and so many had attended our preschool. It’s exciting to see them flourishing,” she added.
There are a few students whose parents attended when they were children, Vink said, and it’s great to see that kind of longevity and satisfaction with the preschool.
Jailena Williams is new to Elora Preschool and volunteered to oversee the fundraiser this year.
“People might have heard of the spaghetti supper,” Williams said describing a previous fundraiser.
“But this year, because of the 50th, we wanted to do something big.”
The preschool is offering skating at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre from 9am to noon on Feb. 17, which is Family Day.
Admission is by donation. Families need to register ahead and will be allotted into a one-hour time slot.
There will be hot beverages and cake, and after skating, visitors are invited to take a look at silent auction items and make a bid.
“We have a huge amount of items for auction,” Williams said, listing tickets to sporting events, spa days and golf passes among them.
“More than $3,000 worth of silent auction items. It’s really good.”
The ice time and room rental have been sponsored and the donated items were gifted by local businesses, Williams said, meaning there’s great potential for profit.
The centre uses the funds to maintain the space and keep costs down for families.
“We really want this to be a community event,” Williams added.
“It’s not often we can celebrate a 50th anniversary.
“We hope the community will come and see what we’re all about.”
