The Mountain Child Early Learning and Care Centre has been open for business for the past several months, but the time has finally come to officially celebrate all the hard work and dedication it took to make this dream become a reality.

It took years of planning and fundraising to get this facility built, which is now an addition onto the Alexander Park Elementary School building. On Sept. 19 many of the people who were involved will be coming back to join the celebration.

“The reason we’ve waited this long is because we wanted to make sure everyone who involved can make it and be part of the event,” said Shelley Zajsek, program director with Mountain Child Early Learning and Care Centre.

It has also been a busy summer for the centre with the addition of an infant toddler program, which takes 3-5 year olds, and has in turn enlarged the staff of the facility, which now employs nine people.

“We’re already growing, which is great,” said Zajsek. Mountain Child opened its doors less than five months ago on April 4.

And even more exciting, the centre is currently constructing a new playground.

“It’s so great to see how it’s coming together. Each program in the centre will have its own play yard,” said Zajsek.

Through a grant they were able to build a play area specific to their mandate of giving the children a calming, natural and open environment.

“It’s so important to have a natural play space for children…being outside reduces stress, and it is important to expose kids to this at an early age,” said Zajsek.

“Oxner Construction has done the work, and they have been so great. Every little detail was executed with the kids in mind.”

The playground will be completed in time for the grand opening in September.

It will include an official ribbon cutting, barbecue by the Rotary Club of Golden, face painting, and live entertainment from the Parson Jazz Cooperative. The event is open to everyone, and will take place at the Mountain Child Early Learning and Care Centre from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 19.