One baby step at a time
MetroValley Newspaper Group -- Langley Times
31 Jan 2007
EXCERPT

The Douglas Park Infant and Toddler Centre isn't even built yet and there is already six people on the waiting list.

"We are ready to go, we have the qualified staff, we just need the money to build it," said Dawn Adamson, executive director of the Douglas Park Infant and Toddler Society. ...

"Infant and toddler care is one area in demand that our communities lack," said Adamson.

Already, Douglas Park Community School has a pre-school and two child care centres.

"This service is so in need. A lot of our parents walk and that's why it's important we offer this. The Douglas Park community has the highest pocket of poverty in Langley. Early intervention leads to successes later on in life," she said.

Studies show that children living in poverty can be smaller in statue and fall below the norm in maturation because of poor nutrition and stress in the home, said Adamson.

"Studies continue to prove that children are resilient. Early intervention for children at risk looks at socialization, speech and language therapy, fine and gross motor therapy, nutrition, self-help skills and behaviour direction."

For some families, referrals are made to Children's Hospital for psychological assessment.

"If children do not receive help prior to kindergarten, the rate of success in academics and life skills is low," she said.

With the infant toddler centre, there will be a focus on health and proper nutrition.

Already in the preschool, there is music, language development, art, drama and a lot of outdoor play, with a focus on nature, said Adamson.

To run a centre like this, administration costs will be high and the ratio of child per adult is low, which means parents pay higher fees....