Providing The Best Possible Care For Our Children
Kendra Martin says working at the Military Family Resource Centre’s Child Care Centre is a fantastic job.
So, living in the City of Selkirk, located some 22 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg, is no big deal.
Ms. Martin was hired as the CCC’s new director in December 2022.
She had previously worked there as the Infant Program Leader.
“It’s a wonderful organization to work for. That’s why I make the commute,” said Ms. Martin, mentioning that she’s worked at the CCC since 2015.
In an email message, Allison Payne, Executive Director of the MFRC, said Ms. Martin is “extremely knowledgeable about our daycare operations, having worked with us for nine years.
“Her understanding of children’s needs and staffing requirements, as well as her well-rounded experience in child development, will help us to further our goal of supporting the work of our staff to provide the best possible care for our children.”
The CCC, which is in Building 125, has a staff of 29 people. These include qualified early childhood educators and their untrained assistants, Ms. Martin noted, during an interview on February 29. They take care of 126 children from twelve weeks old to just under twelve years old.
“I deal with families, making partnerships with the communities, and answering emails,” Ms. Martin, a mother of one daughter, said.
“I’ve always loved working with families and liked being a manager.”
Before being hired at 17 Wing, she worked in group homes as a developmental service worker for adults with intellectual disabilities.
“I did that for fourteen years,” Ms. Martin, said. She received her post-secondary education in early childhood care and management at Red River College in Winnipeg and at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.
She also noted that she works as a cadet instructor for a Navy League Corps in Selkirk.
Ms. Martin commented that children come for a whole day to the CCC.
“The majority of our children are from military families,” she said.
“We do have some civilian families from outside the base in our short-term infant program. We have a flat fee set through the province.”
Each children’s program has its own individual room, she said.
“We have three infant programs, which have twelve children in each,” she noted.
“Each program does different stories and activities.”
For instance, preschool children go into the community to do a little bit more elaborate play activities, like art, Ms. Martin explained.
“We go with what the children’s interests are, she added.
“So, if they’re into art one week and construction the next, we do that. We change the environment to meet the needs of the children.
“We have children who come just before and after school. They’re here to wait for the bus to take them to school and, then, after school. During (teacher) in-services they’re here for the whole day.”
As “a play-based organization,” the CCC is busy all the time, she observed.
“We had the RCAF Band come in and play Christmas songs for the children,” she said.
“They’ve also come in and played different melodies (for children and staff). We’ve had entertainers come in. We had a magician come in, a circus entertainer, and a drummer. Anyone can come in and entertain the children.”
Ms. Martin also emphasized that she likes being a role model.
“So being able to be a role model for my staff is amazing. We meet the needs of the children every day. We like making partnerships with the families and communities.”
For further information on the CCC contact Ms. Martin by email Kendra.Martin@ winnipegmfrc.ca