It all started in December 1980, when the YWCA announced it would be closing its downtown child care facility effective January 31, 1981. Faced with losing their childcare, a group of dedicated parents came together to explore alternative arrangements. From those meetings, the idea of forming a parent co-operative daycare was born.

In January 1981, after weeks of meetings and funding proposals, the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Department of Public Works approved the use of one of its buildings. The YWCA generously agreed to loan equipment until the new organization could purchase its own, and Canada Community Services provided start-up funding.

On February 1, 1981, the Yellowknife Day Care Association officially opened its doors at 5019-51st Street. For more than three decades, families were welcomed through those doors. Then in 2014, following discussions with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, it was determined that the 51st Street building was no longer suitable and could not be renovated. The search began for a new home.

In 2015, a business consultant helped identify land on 52nd Street for purchase. In 2016, the Association secured the property and signed a contract with Clark Builders to construct a purpose-built facility. Following comprehensive environmental assessments, construction began in June 2017. By the end of that year, the dream had become reality. On January 2, 2018, the doors opened at our new home at 5121-52nd Street.

Our purpose-built facility meets national and Northwest Territories childcare building standards and was thoughtfully designed to support high-quality early learning. With funding support from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, we furnished the centre with educational materials and child-sized furniture, creating a warm, welcoming environment that truly feels like a home away from home.

The move also allowed us to expand. Today, we are licensed for 104 children, including 32 infants, 56 preschoolers, and 16 after-school students — enabling us to support even more northern families. More than four decades later, we remain a parent co-operative daycare, guided by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to keeping the Association strong, sustainable, and responsive to our community’s needs. Generations of families have grown with us. Children who once arrived in car seats now head confidently into junior kindergarten and beyond, supported by the dedication of our exceptional staff.

We are proud to be the oldest and longest-operating daycare in Yellowknife — and proud to continue building our legacy for the families of today and tomorrow!