R.B. Russell Infant Centre Inc.
The infant centre was established in November 1991 and licensed under the Government of Manitoba, Family Services; for sixteen babies, 3 months to 2 years old. It is located at 364 Dufferin Avenue which is housed in R.B. Russell High School.
Early Child Care Educators provide quality programming using the Reggio Emilia philosophy which embraces the whole family. The program includes an educational nutrition program for the adolescent parents, baby sign language, character development and a toddler program. This program receives core funding from the province however project funding is sought for any additional programs we provide to enhance the quality of our services.
David Livingstone School Age Program
In 2008, the Manidoo incorporation expanded its services by listening to the expressed needs of the community and established a school age child care centre at 270 Flora which is housed in David Livingstone School. David Livingstone School Age Program is also licensed under the Government of Manitoba, Family Services; Child Care Program. The program is licensed for forty children ages five to twelve years old.
The school age program offers the Reggio Emilia philosophy and Emergent Curriculum in its programming. The centre has a diverse inclusion program where all children are included and an education plan is addressed with each child. There is a focus on giving the children a sense of ownership and belonging in the centre. Character development is weaved through all the curriculum programming. Programs are developed when interest is expressed by the children, for example, staff provides a karate club, drumming and traditional arts and crafts. Similar to R.B. Russell Infant Centre, this centre receives core funding through the province and additional funding is sought to provide programs of excellence as part of our services.
Lord Selkirk Park Child Care Centre
In partnership with Manitoba Housing Authority, Manidoo Gi Miini Gonaan opened a new child care centre in the heart of the Lord Selkirk Park Housing Projects in January 2012. Lord Selkirk Park Child Care Centre is located at 102-269 Dufferin Avenue in “The Towers”. Manitoba Housing generously provided 5600 square feet to house the new child care centre which includes 15 school age spaces, 16 infant and 16 pre-school spaces. The centre also includes the existing resource centre. In partnership with Healthy Child Manitoba, LSPCC pilots the Abecedarian Project, the first of its kind in Canada.
Lord Selkirk Park Resource Centre
The resource centre was established in 2006 and amalgamated with Manidoo Gi Miini Gonaan/R.B.Russell Infant Centre Inc in September 2009. The centre was formally housed in two units directly in Lord Selkirk Park. As of 2012, it is located at 269 Dufferin Avenue in the beautifully renovated space adjacent to Lord Selkirk Park Child Care Centre. The Centre receives approximately 11,000 visits per year from community residents. It is a place where residents gather and discuss issues and concerns with each other and with staff. The centre has been identified as a safe, neutral space in the community and residents frequently drop in to enjoy welcoming friendly staff, a homey atmosphere, have a coffee, visit, do laundry etc. Resident feedback and suggestions are integral to the operation of the Centre and their input directs the activities and programs. Acting as the information and referral centre for residents, the Resource Centre has become the primary support vehicle in assisting residents to develop leadership skills and ownership for the community. The success of the Resource Centre is a result of partnerships that have developed within the community and with the relationships built with the residents who are becoming engaged and taking ownership of their neighborhood.
