Vital People: New Indigenous daycare will focus on childhood trauma, mental health – Times Colonist
2023/09/25
Construction is underway on what is believed to be the Island’s first Indigenous-specific trauma-informed daycare centre.
A First Nations-led social services organization is celebrating as construction gets underway on what is believed to be Vancouver Island’s first Indigenous-specific trauma-informed daycare centre.
The Hulitan Family and Community Services Society, which advocates for Indigenous families in the region, will operate the daycare, located in Colwood. They expect the building to be finished by June 2024, with the intention of welcoming its first students in September.
There will be 48 spaces available, with 24 spaces for infants and toddlers and 24 for children ages three to five. There will also be 25 after-school care spots.
What will set the new child-care facility apart are staff trained to watch children for behaviours and emotional triggers that may be indicative of past or current trauma. The facility will also have a “bear den” — a time-out room for children
