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Locomotion Day Care opens second ‘station’ in Tottenham

November 23, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Wendy Gabrek

Locomotion Day Care Centre in Tottenham has added a second “station” in the new 3rd Line plaza.

The centre, the first full time day care in Tottenham, opened its doors in August of 1994 at its “Main Station” location by Father F.X. O’Reilly Catholic Elementary School.

Over the past twenty-four-and-a-half years, hundreds of children have passed through Locomotion’s hallways, with some second-generation children now attending.

The Main Station” is licensed for 151 children, and the new “South Station” is licensed for 63 more.

Currently, Locomotion employees twenty-six people.

“Over the past two years we have more then tripled in size, going from forty-eight children and eight staff members, to two hundred and fourteen children and twenty-six staff,” confirms Shelley Glenn, R.E.C.E., Executive Director, Locomotion Daycare Centre & Locomotion Daycare South Station. “We have tried to hire as many local Registered Early Childhood Educators as possible.

“Last year around this time, it became quite obvious that Tottenham was rapidly growing, especially with new young families,” Glenn continued. “The County of Simcoe recognized this and our area was designated as a high need area for childcare. The County of Simcoe approached me and asked if I would like to run a second location if a building could be found. I said, ‘Yes!’, as our waiting list was getting so long and it was hard to tell families that we could not help them. I was glad to help.”

Glenn says a lot of planning went into the new site.

“It’s taken over seven months to complete,” Glenn told The Times. “Our first and most challenging issue was to find a suitable building that could accommodate a childcare centre. There are many factors that have to be considered when opening a new centre and the Ministry of Education has set regulations that we must adhere to. For example: amount of natural light, square footage of indoor and outdoor space, and number of toilets, just to name a few.”

Glenn said she would like to thank to Linda Maddocks of Fleming Realities, as she brought forth the idea of the new plaza in town. From there, Glenn and her team secured the lease, designed the centre and began construction with Langman Enterprises.

“Our goal was to keep our new centre simple, with calming natural colours, natural wood flooring and lots of big windows. It’s a very calming environment,” said Glenn.

Locomotion is currently accepting new registrations but has limited space available.

“We do have a wait-list for both sites mostly for children who are too young at this time or for families who want to be our list, but have not yet moved into their new homes in Tottenham,” said Glenn.

Locomotion offers care at the Main station for children 18 months to 10 years, and at the South Station from 18 months to 5 years of age. Full day programs – with three, four, and five day rotations are available, along with ‘before and after’ school care at F.X. O’Reilly.

“Locomotion is unique, I pride myself on saying that as I think back. We started out as a small centre where families were meant to feel that our centre was just an extension of their family,” said Glenn. “We were there for them, to support them and help them through all the childhood stages. The importance of the family feeling is still as strong today as it was 24 years ago. The amazing rapport our dedicated staff have with the families is second to none. We give families a sense of comfort, and also give them that sense of trust, as they leave their very special little one with us. We are a ‘stand alone’ centre that is not part of a bigger organization. We have worked very hard on having built the reputation that we so proudly have today.”

Locomotion, named after the South Simcoe Railway (better known as the Tottenham Steam Train) prides itself on the educators who work there, and Glenn says they learn about each child, and can deepen the child’s learning and experiences when they look at and listen to the child.

“Gaining knowledge about the children from multiple perspectives helps us ensure that our program also values the unique and diverse characteristics of each child’s family.  We truly believe that we are all part of one big family… the “LOCO” family,” said Glenn.

“Our motto is ‘Bringing children, learning, and fun together on track’.”

For more information about the new ‘South Station’ of Locomotion Day Care Centre in Tottenham, email kelderlocomotion@bellnet.ca or call 905-936-4348

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