With a backlog of parents looking for child care, a familiar but unexpected local business is helping ease some of this stress.
Sleeping Giant Brewing Company is opening a second, larger child care facility.
They originally opened a daycare just for staff in September of 2020, but this new location will be open to the public.
Andrea Mulligan is the Owner and Director of Sleeping Giant Child Care, and explains how things have been since the opening.
“We’ve had a really great week. We’ve been introducing children, they’ve been coming for visits to meet our amazing educators, to see our awesome space that is so calm and elegant.”
The location was previously a day care as well. Mulligan says this was helpful, but they put in a lot of work to make it their own.
“I came and looked at the space, and knew it just needed a little bit of love so we just came in and renovated, and changed the space to meet our model and make it inviting.”
Mulligan goes on to mention the stress put on local food education at their location.
“We’re really serious about food, and that’s something that makes us unique I think,” explains Mulligan. “The quality of food we are making in house, as well as supporting local producers in our community, and really having the kids understand where our food is coming from.”
Sleeping Giant Child Care Centre is also the only day care in Thunder Bay that provides a Montessori-inspired program. Manager Chloe Chase explains what this means, and the benefits for the children.
“We are really focused on a child led program,” says Chase. “Montessori is always geared towards the children, all of their rooms are at their level. In the future, it is meant to say that children are able to lead their own room without teachers having to be involved. It’s really inspiring and uplifting to see the children learning and engaging with each other.”
The center offers child care for children aged 15 months to six years old.
As of July 9, they still have spots available for any parents interested.
