Bee Hive opting for non-profit trend

With many child-care organizations switching over to non-profit throughout the province to gain better support from the government, administrators at the Bee Hive childcare centre in Picture Butte have also decided to make the switch.

As of September 2017, the Bee Hive childcare centre has officially been put in the hands of the community, with a local board of directors to run as a non-profit organization.

Former owner and now consultant, Manna Middleton says the change was needed as in a small community such as Picture Butte, sustaining a business such as child care without the right support can be very difficult.

“I felt the change was important because in rural communities it’s hard to keep these kinds of businesses going because the population isn’t there to sustain it, but now I’m able to apply for grants to better compensate staff and provide better care.”

The Bee Hive childcare centre has been a staple organization in Picture Butte for many years since its founding in 2002. Although it didn’t always carry the same name, the organization has constantly run with the same goal in mind, to provide excellent care to children throughout the area.

The organization itself started in 2002 as Manna’s daycare, then in 2008 moved to a new building and became what it is now known as the Bee Hive. During its transitional year the day care became officially accredited.

However, since the business has moved across to become a non-profit organization, it is now run instead by a board of directors which was formed earlier this year in preparation for the transition. This board consists of members of the community including three educators, three parents and three community stakeholders.