Wish comes true: Child care centre opens in Central Butte

“Every dream begins with a wish.” 

That was their slogan and that dream came true for the non-profit organization Central Butte Child Care Inc. on Wednesday evening. They cut the ribbon and held a barbecue to officially open the Wishes and Wonder Child Care Centre in Central Butte. 

It was a long-time coming for the community group as it had been 18 months' worth of fundraising and seeking sponsorships to get a licensed child care centre in Central Butte. Their goal was to raise $450,000 for renovations and startup costs. 

“It is beyond what we could have asked. We would have loved to have this many years ago, so we're super happy that it's here now just to provide accessible, reliable and affordable childcare to all in our community,” said Central Butte Child Care Inc. president Rachel Peterson.  

The closest licensed child care centres to Central Butte are located about an hour away in either Moose Jaw or Swift Current. 

The organization came up with the name Wishes and Wonder because the child care centre was rooted in the community wishing, dreaming and wondering if their community would be able to have a licensed facility. They took that wish and that dream and made it a reality. 

In November of 2021, the group had a trade show to raise money for the facility and held an online auction in March among some of the fundraising efforts. Peterson said it was truly a community effort. 

“We’re small-town Saskatchewan. They say it takes a village and it couldn't be truer. We're incredibly lucky to have the support that we do and just the people that are willing to give a lending hand,” she said. 

The Wishes and Wonder Child Care Centre is part of the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which means it received funding for the renovations to the Main Street building as well as continuous funding now that the facility is open. 

Central Butte Child Care Inc. is now working with the Ministry of Education to become licensed for 33 spaces including three infant spaces, 10 toddlers, 15 Pre-K and five school-aged children. 

The facility is already at capacity with its current staffing levels, but they are taking a waiting list. They are also in the process of hiring more staff.