Our Programs

At St. Matthews Day Care Society, we provide a variety of programs for children aged 4 months to 12 years. 

 

These programs include:

• Daycare – full time program for children 4 months to 5 years (pre-kindergarten)
• Preschool – 2 hour program for 3 & 4 year olds
• Out of School Care – a before and after school program for those attending Edmonds Community School in Kindergarten through Grade 7.  This program is offered full time on school breaks and during the summer.  Our summer program is open to all school aged children regardless of the school they attend during the school year.

 

Our programs provide children with exposure to:

 

• Cultural celebrations from around the world (Canada Day, Chinese New Year, etc.)
• Preschool curriculum (colours, numbers, shapes, etc.)
• Music and movement
• Physical activity (yoga, outdoor play)
• Imaginative play (lego, puzzles, etc.)
• Sign language
• Stories
• Birthday celebrations

 

We have a full-time chef who prepares the food for our meal program.  This consists of:

• Light breakfast
• Morning and afternoon snack
• Hot lunch

 

Licensed Capacity

We are licensed for over 100 children in the following programs.

 

Program	Number of Children
Nursery – 4 months to 36 months	12
Blue Room - 3 & 4 year olds	20
Yellow Room – 4 & 5 year olds (Pre Kindergarden)	25
Kindercare / Clubhouse - 6 to 12 year olds (Kindergarten - Grade 7)	30
Pre-School - 3 & 4 year olds (2 hour program)	14

 

We are not a religious organization or have ties to any religious organization.

 

Our Staff

We employ over 15 permanent staff and up to 5 casual staff throughout the year.  During the summer months, we also hire additional 4 – 5 students to help make our summer programs a success.

 

Our staff includes Early Childhood Educators and Assistants, Responsible Adults, a Chef and an Accountant.  All staff hold valid first aid certificate and food safe certificates. 

 

Our director has been employed with the Centre since 1980 and has over 35 years working in Childcare.  We have low turnover with our staff, with the average tenure being 11 years.

 

Spoken Languages

While our programs are delivered in English, our staff speak a number of other languages including; English, Adhola, Cantonese, Chinese, Guajarati, Kiswahili, Mandarin, Hindi, and Urdu to name a few.

 

Our Families

The families, who use our services, are comprised of many:

• Low income / single income / dual income families
• Single and two parent families
• New immigrant families

Timelines

Year	Event
1972	First licence issued
1974	Location:  United Church on Lakeview Avenue Capacity expanded to 40 children aged 3 – 6 years
1978	Capacity expanded to include 12 school aged children (7 – 12 years) Total capacity = 52 children
1979	Incorporated under the Society Act as a non profit society
1980	Relocated to Glenwood Elementary School Capacity expanded Total capacity = 84 children aged 4 months to 12 years
1994	Glenwood space reclaimed by School District Relocated to Edmonds Neighbourhood Resource Centre Capacity expanded Total capacity = 101 children aged 4 months to 12 years
1996	Registered as a Charitable Organization
1994-2011	Unlicensed childminding services provided to Burnaby School District for parents taking English classes (ELSA)

 

Charity Registration # 10803 1592 RR 0001

Society # 14,796