When structural issues forced the Southwest Day Care and Early Learning Centre to close its South Hill building in 2023, families across the community faced the prospect of losing one of Moose Jaw’s most established childcare providers.

Instead, thanks to the quick support of Empire School and principal Gillian Crocker, the centre was able to carry on without interruption.

Southwest Day Care, which first opened in 1975, discovered that what began as a minor ceiling concern had escalated into a full structural rebuild. Within hours of shutting its doors, the non-profit organization reached out for help and found it within the Prairie South School Division.

“We actually reached out to the school board, and within the first day that we shut down we spent probably 13 hours trying to figure out what we were going to do,” executive director Lucille Gilliland recalled. “We reached out, and Empire School said that we could go in there.”

The meeting took place within hours. “The principal met with us right away and showed us areas that we could use. I think we were down for just one day of no service before we had everything set up and ready to go,” Gilliland said.

Empire opened three otherwise empty classrooms to house the program, and within days the day care relocated one block to the school. For the next 20 months, the school served as a “second home” for staff, children, and families until the newly rebuilt day care reopened on Jan. 7.

“They had three classrooms that they opened up to us, and we managed to make it a comfortable day care for our children while we had the opportunity to stay there,” Gilliland said.

Assistant director Taylor Brake emphasized how essential the partnership was for everyone involved.

“It basically meant that a bunch of people got to keep their jobs, and a bunch of parents kept being able to go to work and have quality childcare for their children,” she said. “It also really touched our hearts (seeing) how the community was willing to work with us.”

Gilliland described principal Crocker as a steady presence throughout the transition.

“She not only opened her school, but she opened her heart to us. She would always come down and visit to make sure the kids were okay and all our needs were being met,” Gilliland said. “She was truly amazing.”

Southwest Day Care’s temporary relocation underscored the importance of community partnerships when unexpected challenges arise. By accommodating the day care, Empire School ensured local families did not lose access to an essential service.

“We were very lucky that, beyond the construction (help) … we had Empire School …,” Gilliland noted.

Empire School has since closed, with its students moving this September to the new Coteau Hills Elementary School joint-use facility. Former Empire principal Gillian Crocker now serves as vice-principal at Coteau Hills, continuing her role in supporting families.

As Southwest Day Care looks ahead to the next 50 years, Crocker’s leadership and Empire School’s willingness to step up during a time of crisis will remain a central part of its story.

Southwest Day Care and Early Learning Centre is located at 504 Fourth Avenue Southwest.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express