Child-care centre caters to both residents and tourists

This new Revelstoke daycare boasts a spectacular mountain setting

Tara Benson offers a range of daycare options at Mountain Child Care, located at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, that meet the occasional child-care needs of residents and visitors alike. Look for a variety of mini day camps this summer. —

Photo courtesy Tara Benson

Most major ski resorts have some kind of child care available on the mountain. At Revelstoke Mountain Resort, a new daycare is open spring, summer and fall, as well as during the winter ski season, to meet the occasional daycare needs of residents and visitors alike. Tara Benson is the proud owner/manager of Mountain Child Care, and she was pleased to answer some questions from Kootenay Business. (Bonus: she gets to take her own kids to work!)

What inspired you to get into the child-care business?

My inspiration for stepping into the child-care business came from the great opportunity to combine my administrative and tourism experience with my current profession of caring for my own children. The job offers me the flexibility of being able to bring my children to work—and they love it!

What gives you the most joy at work?

I receive great joy in seeing the happiness and excitement in the children's faces when they find a certain toy that they love, or make a new friend, or when relaying their favourite part of the day to their parent.

Do you have a mentor, or someone who inspires you?

Linda Chell and all of the other hard-working women at Revelstoke Child Care and Referral are very supportive and knowledgeable and inspiring in their commitment to helping all children.

What's your favourite children's story?

We have way too many children's books to choose from!

Favourite children's song?

Shake Your Sillies Out by Raffi is a fantastic song to dance to and put a smile on a child's face.

All-time best children's toys?

The most popular toys at our child care centre are the giant cardboard boxes and the pretend cakes, cookies and ice cream. My favourite is definitely Lego, for all ages.

What's special about having a daycare on the mountain?

With Mountain Child Care being located up at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, during the winter months our focus is on skiing and snowmobiling families. From April to November, we are still located close enough to town to offer on-call care and day camps catering more to the local Revelstoke families. Revelstoke Mountain Resort does offer us a fantastic energizing atmosphere in a spectacular setting where children can learn to ski or just play and sled in the snow with us.

What are your hours of operation and what ages do you cater to at Mountain Child Care?

Mountain Child Care holds an occasional child-care licence, issued through Interior Health. This type of licence differentiates us from a full-time daycare. We are limited to caring for each child a maximum of eight hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours in a calendar month. So our goal is to supplement regular child care, fill in the gaps and assist visitors to Revelstoke. Mountain Child Care is licensed to care for children ages 18 months up until the start of Grade 1.

During the winter season (December to March), Mountain Child Care offers half-day and full-day care programs with the option of adding on ski lessons for the older children. From April to November, we offer on-call child care at $6 per hour per child. This summer we are offering mini day camps, introducing fun themes and outdoor activities, from June 11th to September 7th, every Monday to Friday from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Can you describe the philosophy of your child-care centre?

Our goal at Mountain Child Care is to ensure that each child has a happy day playing and learning in a safe and stimulating environment. We act as guides in everyday play activities, listening to, observing and joining the children. Each child is an individual and we will respect their pace, interests and abilities.

Tell us a bit about your background.

My formal training is in tourism and event planning. While I did babysit as a teen, my child-care training began with my own children seven years ago. The joy of playing with your own children and their friends and watching them learn and grow is incomparable. My business strengths lie in management, administration and organization, which I developed in various office and hotel administration positions.

What's the biggest life lesson your own kids have taught you?

I have two children, ages four and six. They have taught me many things including patience, patience, patience. My children also constantly remind me to stop and smell the roses (or dandelions!).