Co-ordinator April Simmons and assistant Bobbi Wyder have been seeing many new faces at the Emo Toy Library/Ontario Early Years Centre in the last few months.
And they’re thrilled with the increasing numbers.
“The regulars are still coming, of course, but there have been some new people coming out. People from outside of Emo, too—from Barwick and Devlin,” noted Wyder, who began working at the centre in May.
“The numbers have just skyrocketed,” echoed Simmons, though noting she’s not sure what or whom to credit for the jump.
“Our hours have been staying the same and moms are getting used to the hours,” she offered. “But there are summer hours for July and August.”
Or perhaps it’s the multitude of activities, crafts, programs, and themes the pair plan daily for the young attendees and parents.
“Our ‘Sneakers and Strollers’ program has been very popular and it will be continuing throughout the summer,” Simmons said, referring to the walking group that meets Tuesdays mornings.
She stressed programs such as “Kids in the Kitchen,” “Kids Craft Club,” and the babysitter’s course all were well-attended this past season, as well as a visit from a fire truck and the Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
“We’ve had this place so packed that we had to bring down extra chairs,” Wyder enthused.
And there are a few new activities for the summer months.
“We’re going to have a craft of the week,” she noted, adding some of the themes include sharks, fish, seaweed, camping, the beach, and the circus.
“People will be able to just pop in and do a craft related to the topic,” she explained. “There will be several different crafts so they can do more than one.”
There also will be a movie and popcorn afternoon on Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. this summer, with the centre providing a movie or individuals can bring along one of their choice.
And “Fun in the Park,” organized in conjunction with the students working for the Township of Emo, will be held at the Lions Park on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
This latter program is geared towards children up to age six and they must be accompanied by an adult. Older children can take part in afternoon activities headed by the two students from the township.
“There are lots of fun activities planned—kids should be prepared to get wet and dirty,” enthused Wyder, adding if it’s raining, the activities will be held at the centre.
In addition, Simmons said they hope to have a school bus visit the centre in August to talk about school readiness.
“We’re trying to come up with new ideas,” she added, noting it’s helpful having Wyder, who is fresh out of school.
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“But April has the experience, so we make an awesome team,” echoed Wyder, who, along with being the assistant co-ordinator, heads the Mobile Program.
Also geared towards children up to age six and their caregivers, the Mobile Program is held at McCrosson-Tovell School on Monday mornings and at the Barwick Hall on Monday afternoons.
“We have a few families coming and hopefully we’ll get more,” Wyder noted, saying it’s free and there is no need to register to participate.
“It’s like a playgroup with circle time, lots of physical activities, and drinks.”
Simmons and Wyder aren’t the only ones thrilled with the increase in numbers at the centre. Parents also are enjoying the variety of programs and activities, as well as the work the co-ordinators put into it.
“It’s been really good,” stressed mom Kim Gushulak. “They really helped my son—he was shy and didn’t want to come in, but April coaxed him and he comes right in now.”
“We see a lot of growth in the kids, which is nice,” Simmons said. “I can really relate with the kids—I’m a big kid myself. And you have to be in this kind of environment.”
Although the pair are seeing more faces at the centre, Simmons stressed they’re not worried about not being able to handle the increased numbers.
“The more, the merrier—we want everyone who wants to to participate,” she remarked. “It’s nice to have new moms come out and then I can introduce them to the other moms.”
She added they also are hoping to get some new toys in the fall, which she feels only will make the centre that much better.
“Kids are still taking toys out all the time. A lot of the big toys go out in the summer and sometimes we don’t have much left here,” she noted.
The centre’s summer hours are Tuesdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
For more information, call 482-2946 or e-mail emotoylibrary@bellnet.ca
Fort Frances Times
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