Ayás Mén̓men
Child & Family Services
Chesha7 Mixalh Méńmen
Mother Bear Child Development Centre & Daycare Services
Xwemélch’stn (Capilano)
Phone: 778-340-9410
Address: 206 Lawa Road, West Vancouver, BC V7P 1N9
44 spaces: 12 spaces for 0-3 year and 32 spaces for 3-5 years
Eslha7an (Mission)
Phone: 604-770-3269
Address: 427 West 1st Street, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1A7
29 spaces: 0-3 years – 12 spaces for 0-3 years and 17 spaces for 3-5 years
Manager: Megan McDonnell
Email: Megan_Mcdonnell@squamish.net
Chesha7 Mixalh Méńmen Mother Bear Child Development Programs provide early care and education to all Sḵwx̱wú7mesh families. We believe that Squamish children have the right to receive quality cultural education and early development opportunities, including teachings about the roots and values of our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh heritage, as well as skills rooted in a strong self-identity that allows them to preserve their heritage.
We strive daily, with each interaction, to assist every child in reaching their personal potential while encouraging family members to become active participants in their child’s development and well-being.
We offer child development services for children and their families to ensure success in all aspects of their lives. We operate two licensed childcare facilities: one in Xwemélch’stn (Capilano) and another in Eslha7an (Mission) that provide full-time and part-time care to over 70 children, ranging in age from birth to school-aged.
Program Philosophy
In accordance with a First Nations perspective, Mother Bear Child Development takes a holistic approach that aligns with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw values and teachings. The programs are designed to address the whole child and are responsive to the community, focusing on the six essential components for enhancing early childhood development.Mother Bear Child Development strives to support children and families in learning their language and participating in our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture. Culture and language provide children with a positive sense of themselves as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh.
Mother Bear Child Development encourages each child to take initiative in learning, with the ultimate goal of engaging children in the possibility of learning so that they carry forth enthusiasm, self-esteem, and initiative into the future. This will be done in a manner appropriate to both the age and stage of the child’s development.
Physical activity and healthy eating in early childhood are crucial for healthy child development and setting the stage for lifelong healthy behaviors. Active play promotes healthy growth and development, contributing to the development of strong bones and muscles, improved balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. Moreover, active play enhances children’s confidence, concentration, thinking and learning skills, and provides opportunities to develop social skills.
Eating nutritious food is an important part of each child’s day. The food provided by the program will be selected in accordance with Canada Food Guide requirements and recommendations from Appetite to Play. Mother Bear promotes healthy relationships with food and with each other as a means of building a respectful, collaborative, and reflective community. Please keep candy, gum, and other food items at home.
We believe that parents know their children best. We invite parents to have meaningful experiences in the planning, development, operation, and evaluation of the program. We aim to provide an opportunity for the extended family, especially Elders, cultural teachers, and traditional individuals, to participate in teaching and caring for children. We also encourage and empower parents to take an active role in participation.
Mother Bear Child Development will assist families in accessing resources and community services available to improve their quality of life. This may involve working in cooperation with service providers. The ultimate goal of this component is to empower parents to access assistance and services that will enable them to actively participate in their children’s lives and in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community.
Nation Updates
Letter from Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw | Update on Squamish Nation Distribution Program
To the Squamish People, The Squamish Nation Council is pleased to announce approval for a special payment, again this year, ahead of the holidays.
2024 Office Holiday Closure
Squamish Nation offices will be closed for the holidays starting on Friday, December 20, 2024 and they will re-open on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Regular programs and services may not be running, but there are still many supports available to Members in need. Please reach out if you need support.
