An informative visit at Brookfield Preschool
Children from 18 months up to age five enjoy local facility
Jeannette Decker has had a lot of experience working with preschoolers.
Her story caught my attention recently and during early March I visited the Director of the Brookfield Preschool. The interview in her office on the second floor of the Don Henderson Memorial Sportsplex took place before restrictions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic had been put in place.
Decker, who grew up in Upper Stewiacke and now lives in the rural community, spoke about what it has been like operating a preschool in recent years.
“There have been changes made with the pre-primary which have Affected the numbers requiring preschool care,” Decker said. “In talking with families regarding what their needs for children consist of, it was established that there was a need for children as young as 18 months.”
Decker explained the licence capacity had to be changed and the Department of Education approved a licence covering ages 18 months up to five years for the Brookfield facility.
“We have had to make changes to the facility to accommodate the younger children, the preschool is operating as a child-care facility rather than a preschool. Things are going well.”
With the changes, the skating program remains strong and in place, the play base program also remains the same.
“What we’ve really changed would be the ages, we’re much younger but we accommodate much the same program. The preschool is licenced for 24 kids, there are 18 attending. I have four co-workers, two are full time and two are part time.”
Decker said it is important to keep up with all changes in the child-care sector.
“We have to be knowledgeable in providing a good inclusive quality child care,” said Decker.
Young people getting to skate on the sportsplex ice surface continues to be very popular.
“When I think of the skating program, I think of Hugh Matheson when he managed the rink. Hugh was the one who instigated the skating program, he made free ice time available. Encouraging the kids, getting these kids comfortable with skating, this is a bonus for everyone.
“Zach Sill, Bobby Sill, Patrick Stewart and other future athletes attended preschool at one time, part of the draw was skating for sure. We skate every day from the beginning of November until the middle of March. It takes a dedicated staff to get 18 children ready for skating.”
The preschoolers also enjoy visitation at Elk Court.
“The kids love it and the clients at Elk Court love it,” Decker said.
“We try to go over and visit at Christmas time, Halloween and such occasions. Sometimes, when we are out for a walk, we’ll stop in for a visit at Elk Court.”
Decker applauded the beautiful playground outside, situated near Elk Park.
“In the spring, plans are for the playground to be redesigned with a natural setting with natural play equipment being logs to climb on, mud for the children to play in as well as stumps for the
kids to roll or sit on. The plan is to enjoy and use nature around the ball field.”
As we talked further, Decker’s preschool background and history was explored. She first became involved in preschool 35 years ago.
“I did a placement here right out of teachers’ college in 1985,” Decker advised. “Janet Burnett was the director of the Brookfield Preschool, Janet hired me part time. After I graduated from teachers’ college in 1987, I was hired full time.”
Decker worked at the preschool up until 1989 when she moved to Ontario. For the next three years Decker lived in Borden, she worked with the Department of National Defence and was a director of a day-care facility.
Returning to Nova Scotia in 1992, Decker would return to familiar surroundings.
“After starting a family I came to work here with preschoolers again in 1997,” Decker said. “I have been here in some capacity ever since.”
Before leaving the preschool, something unscripted took place.
Meeting several of the children, a young girl, approximately three years of age, told me, “I have a cat, she is white, the same colour as your hair.”
The Brookfield Preschool is owned by Mark Graham, Decker’s partner.
With life as we knew it put on hold, with restrictions and isolation essential, I received an email from Decker. She advised that preschool had ceased operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lyle Carter’s column appears every second week in the Truro News. If you have a column idea, contact him at 902 673-2857.