Imagine, for a moment, you are someone entering recovery care at UGM. You’re navigating an incredibly difficult season of substance dependence, and you’ve had the bravery to admit you need support. As you start into programming, you’re taking on new learnings and practices in an environment that isn’t your home, alongside people you’re meeting for the first time. You are disoriented, stressed, and caught between hope and fear about the road that lies ahead.
Now imagine you’re doing all of this while also taking care of a newborn. And a toddler.
What would you need, in that moment, to help you on your journey towards a recovery-centred life? You’d need supportive, safe childcare.
That’s why the team at the UGM Childcare Centre is committed to providing incredible care—not only to support moms in recovery, but also to nurture the potential, voice, and agency of the children who are part of our community Their charges are all under the age of five, and their mandate is complex: “We believe that every child is unique and capable in their own way,” says Joanne, UGM’s Early Childhood Education Program Supervisor. “And so our program embraces individual learning styles and strengths. A nurturing environment builds confidence, and supports a child’s emotional and social growth.”
A typical day at the centre
Located on the seventh floor of the Women & Families Centre, the Childcare Centre comprises two rooms: one for three-to-five year olds, another for two and under. The spaces are filled with a thoughtful collection of open-ended materials, learning tools, sturdy wooden furniture, and soft carpets and pillows. An outdoor play area gives kids access to a treehouse jungle gym and buckets of fresh air and natural light. Infants can nap in nearby cribs; toddlers can potty train at a row of tiny toilets.
When we ask Joanne about a typical day in the Childcare Centre, it turns out there might be no such thing. “It’s always very vibrant, very lively,” she says. “There are moments of eureka, moments of peace, moments of joy, moments of struggle. A full spectrum of things can happen in one day. Children are so curious about everything, so we really take our time to observe what a child might be trying to figure out. Are they trying to figure out how shadows work? Are they learning about gravity? What are they really exploring? When educators have that kind of mindset going into the work, there are so many possibilities.”
Helping families overcome setbacks
Along with the typical intricacies of early childhood development, a high percentage of children at the Childcare Centre have additional hurdles to overcome. “We find that many children who come into our care are in need of extra support,” says Joanne. The majority of the children the team cares for have shared in the disadvantages their parents also went through, whether that was exposure to harmful chemicals, a lack of access to nutritious meals, or disrupted routines. “Unfortunately, accessing assessments and specialized services is extremely difficult due to long wait times. Our program strives to bridge that gap by providing immediate, responsive care that supports each child’s growth in real time.”
Providing children with the individual support they need is a team effort, one that Joanne sees as being shared between caregivers and parents. “The image that comes to mind for me is one of a mom and an educator rowing a boat together. The journey of motherhood — especially in recovery — can feel overwhelming, but no one should have to do it alone. As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and we are grateful to be a part of that village.”
Having a safe and trustworthy childcare network allows moms to undertake not only recovery, but other transformative steps like education and career development. “One mom recently started her grade 12 graduation requirement, and she’s really doing well,” shares Joanne. “Just hearing that was just such a happy moment for us. A mother’s success is a child’s success. When moms feel empowered, encouraged, and secure, they can create more stable futures for both themselves and their children.”
A focus on daily joy and lifelong growth
It’s clear in speaking with Joanne that the Childcare Centre plays an integral role in supporting recovery journeys at UGM. It’s also clear that the team connects with each and every child out of a deep wellspring of compassion, care, and dedication. “Ultimately, we’re just the sowers,” she says of her educators. “We hope and pray that God will water the seeds, nurture them, and make sure that every child yields many, many fruits. We know He can do that in unimaginable ways.”
And how do children feel about their time in care? While some of them aren’t speaking yet, they are already powerful communicators — full of curiosity and intent. “They just love coming,” says Joanne. “The amount of energy they bring into the centre as they come in, it’s big. They look forward to every day — there’s a lot of happiness, a lot of questions, and lots of ideas waiting to unfold. They want to interact with you. I think that's a good sign.”
Read Rebecca’s story in our Annual Report to see how moms and children are rebuilding connection at UGM’s Women & Families Centre.
