In December 1980 the YWCA made an announcement that they would be closing their downtown child care facility on January 31, 1981.   The parents of children attending that centre held a meeting and decided they would have to find alternate child care arrangements.  From this came the idea of forming a parent co-operative day care.

In January 1981 a month of meetings and proposals for funding resulted in the approval of the Government of the NWT’s Department of Public Works to use their building; the YWCA agreed to loan us their equipment until we could purchase our own, and Canada Community Services provided start-up capital.

On February 1, 1981, the Yellowknife Day Care Association opened its doors.

We are still, many years later, a parent co-operative day care, guided by a Board of Directors who generously give their time to keep the Association both viable and moving forward as times change.  Each Membership in good standing, allows the family one vote on issues concerning the day care at it’s Annual General Meeting or any other general meeting called by the chairperson.  Volunteer time is still a requirement for each member to either help with the general maintenance of the building or with such things as lunch supervision or “off-property” excursions.  Fund-raising is also necessary for each member to help raise the funds necessary for large ticket items such as our play ground equipment, kitchen equipment, and equipment to enhance each classroom for the use of our children.

Many things have changed since our first days in 1981 when staff used garage sale “finds” to help fill out our kitchen equipment and children’s toys.  Families have joined us, grown and left over the years, their children growing from babyhood to making a confident step into the world of kindergarten with the guidance of our hard working staff.  We are the oldest and longest operating day care in the City.  We have had our ups and downs, but we have moved steadily onward and forward to a better environment for our children in each year of our operation, changing and growing even as the city grows and changes around us.  We were then and will continue to be, the absolute best place for your child to learn and grow.