New co-ordinator keeping programs fresh at kids’ centre

She always had liked children and knew she wanted to spend her career working with them.
After studying early childhood education at Red River College in Winnipeg, Rainy River native Kelly Berg accepted the position of program co-ordinator at the Emo Ontario Early Years Centre (toy library) back in August.
“Now that I’ve been here for a bit, I can say I really like it,” Berg enthused. “Everyone’s been really great and helpful. It’s an exhausting job, but it’s fun.
“I like the high energy the kids bring.”
Berg noted her job is not to baby-sit children, as some people might think. Instead, she plans and executes the programs which take place at the centre, such as Story Hour, Playgroup, Kids Craft Club, Mother Goose, and Family Fun Brunch.
“One of the more popular programs is Story Hour,” said Berg, where children up to age six gather together to hear a story, do crafts, and choose their own storybooks from the Emo Public Library upstairs.
“The kids really like it and we get a good turnout—about 20-25 kids,” she noted.
Another popular program is Playgroup, where children sing songs, learn rhymes, dance, and play. While Berg noted there also is a good turnout for this program, she often sees the same group of kids.
“It would be great to see some new faces,” she remarked. “I’m going to try to change up the programs each month so people don’t get bored. Keep it new and fresh so people want to come.
“I’ve got lots of books with ideas for different programs, so I’ll just use trial and error,” she added. “If people come, I’ll keep it going. If not, I’ll change it next month.”
Berg said her goal is to get more people in on Saturdays, which generally are pretty quiet at the centre. She’s also hoping to have more interest with her Kids in the Kitchen and Family Fun Brunch programs.
“The Family Fun Brunch has the parents and kids come together to prepare the meal and enjoy it,” she said, adding she’s also been asking some mothers what programs they’d like to see.
She tried a “Soups On!” lunch event last month, which had a positive response.
“It was for everyone—a free lunch of hot soup and buns. It went over well. I was happily surprised,” she remarked.
In addition, Berg likely will resume the “Family Math” and “Roots of Empathy” programs once she gets the proper training for them. And she will be having special events throughout the year, such as a Hallowe’en party, followed by trick-or-treating, at the end of the month.
And although she’d still like to see new people out, Berg did say attendance has picked up over the last few months.
“I don’t know why, but it’s been busier than in the past and that really makes me happy,” she enthused.
And while Berg knows she has to keep the interest up, she’s enjoying the challenge.
“It was a bit overwhelming at first but after a couple of weeks, I became comfortable and am figuring things out,” she said. “It’s hard, though, because you prepare things, buy the supplies, and you never know how many people are going to show up. . . .
“But everything has gone smoothly.”
Berg also noted it has helped getting to know people at the centre and in the community.
“Everyone has been welcoming,” she remarked. “I didn’t know a lot of people in Emo when I moved here. I’m kind of shy and getting to know people has made things easier.
“It’s also been great getting to know the kids and having the kids get to know me.”
Program calendars are available at the centre. Berg noted November’s will have a few new programs, as well as the old favourites.